It can be a daunting experience looking for gigs so here are a few tips from my own experience on the best way to go about it.
The most obvious method is messaging venues or promoters asking for slots and this does work to some extent. You will get the odd slot but it can take time and effort and you may not hear back at all.
The most effective method is working with other bands or artists – it’s simply about making connections.
GIGS IN YOUR OWN CITY
Do some research
If there are bands you would be suited to gig with, find out where they play and get in touch with the promoters for that venue. Failing that just ask the bands – a nice email asking for advice in my experience is always welcomed by other bands.
Put on your own shows
This way you can offer gig swaps to bands from outside your city and mould the show into what best reflects your style of music. If people are fans of the bands you’re putting on, they’ll probably enjoy you too.
We set up a three-day festival last year across a couple of venues and invited bands from all over the UK, as well as Japan, to come play. The response was great because there was a similar energy to all the artists we chose.
The main downside is if you need to hire the venue but if you can set up a regular night with bands you’re connected with you can share costs. With door sales and merch, you may break even. In my opinion it’s not about making a profit but more about getting your music heard.
GIGS OUTSIDE OF YOUR CITY
Again, do some research
Find bands similar to your genre in the city you want to play. You can find out what venues they usually gig at and who the promoters of those nights are.
A useful trick is changing the location on the last.fm event page to that of the city you want to gig in. You’ll then be able to see a list of gigs where you can look into venues and promoters. Don’t forget to change the genre to the one nearest your own.
Once again a downside is the cost. It’s not against the rules to ask for money towards travel costs and a floor to sleep on with your sleeping bags. If you’re gig swapping with another band just make sure this is agreed both sides.
GETTING GIGS IN LIVERPOOL
If you’re looking to play in Liverpool where we’re based then here’s some info you might find useful. An obvious bit of advice is that it is best to send private messages rather than posting on Facebook walls.
The Liverpool Bands Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolBandspage
This is the place to go if you want to fire off a quick question about what gigs are coming up or what slots are free. It’s a community of musicians and promoters and is constantly updated.
The Lovely Job
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002532911169
Really down to earth, hard working promoters put on these nights catering for all genres of music. They are usually at the Zanzibar venue and hosted by Liverpool alt rock band Tone Puppets.
NewPath
http://www.facebook.com/newpathlive
NewPath is a collective of passionate music lovers dealing mostly with alternative genres of music and is run by a team, including some members of MINIONTV. We always want to hear from bands and if we can’t put you on we can point you in the right direction.
Venues
Here are some venues that I’ve had good experiences in, usually those with non pay-to-play policies. If you want to mention others (good experiences only!) leave a message below.
- The Zanzibar
- Mello Mello
- The Shipping Forecast
- LEAF
- Kazimier
- Elevator Bar
- Camp & Furnace
Other links of note which I’ll keep updating.
TO END
There are so many opportunities out there for bands willing to take things into their own hands. By setting up your own shows you could build up enough contacts to even sort your own tour. Also, you’re supporting other independent artists and making friends along the way. Independent music isn’t just about putting the music out yourself it’s doing everything else too.
As always leave us a message below if you found this helpful or have anything you think that may be useful to others looking for gigs.
Stephen
