You've spent months working on your set list, recording your demo, and perfecting your stage presence and now you've come to the pivoting point; Setting up your first gig. Don't worry, there is nothing to fret (pun intended), setting up your first gig is as easy as plugging in your instrument. Here are some insider secrets on the art of setting up your first gig.
1. Get your act straight - this means have a demo, a webpage with some recordings and pictures, and possibly some friends already. This is not required, but it is a huge help when trying to score a gig at a bigger and more popular venue. Some venues will not consider you unless you have an EPK (electronic press kit), or at least a webpage with music and pictures. If you don't have a demo, record your 3 best songs, burn them to a cd and send them to all the venues you'd like to play.
2.
Know your crowd - this is going to help you figure out what venues to call and set up arrangements. Obviously, if you're a rock and roll band, it might be good to know if the venue you're playing is primarily a rap crowd or a country crowd. Make sense? Usually this is as easy as asking around, or making a few phone calls. Most of the time, a venue will be able to let you know if your music would fit their scene, and if not, usually they can name off a couple other venues that would fit.
3. Ask the promoter - at the venue you've selected what the average head count is on weekends, and what other local bands (or out-of-town) bands play there regularly. This will help you establish if it's worth playing, and if it's just another hole-in-the-wall joint.
4. Once you've figured out the other bands - give them a call or email and see if they'd like to include you in their next show. Most bands out there love to have other local bands of similar taste play shows because it brings in different people, and can help increase their exposure. This also helps you because their crowd will be able to see you, which will bring you more exposure.
5. Sell your band - to the owner or promoter. Usually at first, if they've heard a demo, you'll get a gig (you'd be surprised at how many bands get accepted to play for venues that aren't too "awesome"). Venues will provide you with tickets in most cases to sell off, since this is your first gig, take 25 - 50 tickets, as it's not as easy to sell tickets as you'd think... then sell, sell, sell. Anywhere can sell a ticket, it all depends on you.
6.
Promote like your life depended on it - you must promote. Flyers are a great way to promote, put them around at local tattoo shops, grocery stores, or stores that you might find people who listen to your music at (hot topic for example for metal shows, etc..). Pretty much anywhere they'll let you put a stack of flyers is a great place. Flyers can be made on one sheet of regular sized computer paper, 4 to a page. This way you can spend less money for more exposure. Be prepared to spend at least 10 bucks on materials for posting flyers.
Your webpage is another great place to advertise your show. Tell all your friends, family, and anyone you know or do not know about your show. Also setting up shows with other local bands (where you're headlining rather than them) is another great way to get promotion out. This will bring more people as stated before, and you can also post comments on their pages getting people to see more about the show. Also adding friends from local bands that are similar to your genre are a great way to get more fans. Make sure you have recordings! No one wants to go to a band page with no music.
7. Set up your set-up - when you get your tickets and your go-ahead on playing a show, make sure you look at the stage so you can draw up a layout. Usually after a few shows, you'll have the basic concept of your layout embedded in your head. But for now, draw up a rough sketch of the stage and go over a few ideas on where to place your amps, keyboards, drums, mics, etc.. and make sure you remember to factor in how much time it will take to move your equipment into desired positions. Usually a few friends works great for stage hands.
If you're more about being cost friendly, and know how to hammer a couple boards together, make your own light show. Usually all it takes a couple 2x4's and some fluorescent lights to make a really good show. Using a power-strip is a great way to turn on flood lights by the click of a button when the timing is right. Play around, it's not too hard.
9. Figure out the cost - It's just like a business (it actually is if you think about it), you need to factor in distance of venue from practice spot, labor (moving your equipment around), gas, and play time. If you're playing a half hour set, you'll ask for less than if you're playing an hour or more. Make sense? At first, pricing is not as important as getting exposure. Once you bring in the crowds, you can charge as much as you want. Some local bands around my area make 400+ a show for a half hour set. It all depends on the crowd.
Also, playing locally will usually get you less than playing out-of-town. If you're from out-of-town, then charge them more. Have a set price after a while, because remember, it really is all about the crowds. If you play out-of- town on your first gig, then charge them a little more. If you're going to be bringing them a big crowd though (first show or not) then you better charge more. The more you charge, the more you appear to be professional. This is a big step in getting more venues to call you instead of you calling them.
10.
Play and have fun - When you get your crowd involved, it makes them have more fun, and they get a connection to you and your music. Don't just be another band going from song to song. Talk to the crowd, make them have fun, make them cheer, make them move. Venues love it when you remind the crowd about the bar and tipping the staff. Promote the venue you're in, and always, always, always remember to thank any other bands you have and promote them as well. For example
"We loved playing for you guys, you rock! Remember, so and so is playing next, so give them a riot and rock on!"
Other bands who play with you will love to play with you more often if you promote them as well, remember, when you combine, your crowds become one. You and the other bands both get more exposure.
If you follow these guidelines, you will get your first show booked, and many more afterwards. Your crowd will increase, and you'll grow in time. A band who plays good is good, a band who can sell and play good is great, and a band who can bring a crowd is excellent.
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