Anyone Else Seeing an Increasing Demand for Acoustic Acts?

jive1 · #1 07-07-2010, 04:44 PM

I had a great meeting today with a booking agent to talk about my acts. Talking to them, it seems what they are really needing are acoustic acts. They've been telling me that more and more venues have been going with "2 fools on stools", as opposed to full bands. According to them it's a combination of the economy and bands that are too loud for the dinner crowd.

Interesting thing is that in VA there are no regular bars. They are all restaurants in that every bar has to serve food.

So I'm wondering, is this just a local thing or have you guys been seeing an increase in demand for acoustic acts in your area too?

MatticusMania · #2 07-07-2010, 05:04 PM

Not an increase. There is always demand for acoustic acts, however, most likely, I assume, for the same reasons you've listed. Usually smaller places that can't house a full band like cafes and such.

N.F.A. · #3 07-07-2010, 05:10 PM

There is a nice market for that in my town. I play with two different guys who do solo acoustic acts and call me when they want a duo or a full band. They both have as much work as they want doing the solo thing. They want duos or band stuff way less often. It's less money for them. Some of the venues they each play are small, but some are full size bars.

MNAirHead · #4 07-07-2010, 05:17 PM

I've noticed this as a trend.

The issue is there are so many suckwad bands expecting to be treated like rock stars.

The reality is the successful duos are just part of a successful band.

They're really digging our lower volumes.

becker4567 · #5 07-07-2010, 06:51 PM

Actually yes, I have noticed that there is a trend toward acoustic acts. I live in Northern Calif. (wine country) and alot of the wineries are doing evening wine pairing events during the summer and including acoustic duos for the music. If your a good acoustic player, you could probably get a gig every weekend without much trouble.

MyWifeBoris · #6 07-07-2010, 07:16 PM

The band I'm in has been turned down several times lately because I don't own an acoustic bass and the guitarist didn't have an acoustic guitar.

Neither of us had acoustic amps, either. :O

KrisH · #7 07-07-2010, 07:29 PM

Lately I've been doing DB gigs accompanying an acoustic guitarsist. I don't really have any electric gigs lined up, except for a recording project. Next week I'll be auditioning with a combo that is looking for a lot of DB work from me. Go figure. I have lots of decent electric gear, and I'm using my cheap upright more right now.

OmnitzGarima · #8 07-07-2010, 07:37 PM

I've seen some evidence of that locally, and heard similar stories from other local musicians.

Consider me a fool on a stool. I have no problem with that.

praisebass · #9 07-07-2010, 07:40 PM

One fool to a stool, I heard the bartender say. Never thought my own life would ever turn out that way...

**Freddels** · #10 07-07-2010, 08:00 PM

Are the venues paying more per person for a duo acoustic gig? Afterall, it really is more work for two to fill the room with sound.

jive1 · #11 07-07-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Are the venues paying more per person for a duo acoustic gig? Afterall, it really is more work for two to fill the room with sound.

According the agency I spoke with they are. Their acoustic acts are getting about $250, and usually run 9-12. One less hour than most bands that do the 9-1AM thing, and the duo gets $125 a head with less PA to bring.

Once I mentioned to the agency I can put together acoustic duos all day long since I know many great musicians, they were very excited about that. They told me their top acoustic acts are working 20-30 shows a month, and that they still have dates available for July. That's how strong the demand has been.

bassbully · #12 07-07-2010, 09:16 PM

Yes,I have seen this getting bigger and bigger in the last few years. I'm to the point that if my band thing ever falls thru to look in that direction. The money is better, less overhead, two member's..no drummer

You need a small decent PA and folks like the low key approach and sound.
The only problem is you need good vocals ,catchy tunes and must be able to keep the folks attention more since there are no solo's, lights, stage show etc.
I have seen duo acts playing weekly 2-4 gigs in my area with this approach and my area suks for gigs. Even if they make $200-250 a night its decent money divided x 2 with low overhead.

gm2_in_co · #13 07-07-2010, 10:11 PM

What I'm seeing in NoCo is a dramatic increase in open mics and jams.

jive1 · #14 07-07-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

Yes,I have seen this getting bigger and bigger in the last few years. I'm to the point that if my band thing ever falls thru to look in that direction. The money is better, less overhead, two member's..no drummer

You need a small decent PA and folks like the low key approach and sound.
The only problem is you need good vocals ,catchy tunes and must be able to keep the folks attention more since there are no solo's, lights, stage show etc.
I have seen duo acts playing weekly 2-4 gigs in my area with this approach and my area suks for gigs. Even if they make $200-250 a night its decent money divided x 2 with low overhead.

The crazy thing is the solo guys who make $250 a gig and do 4 nights a week. That's some serious cash there. That's about $4000 a month, and that's great cash for a musician.

Another reason to work on your vocals.

ding_man · #15 07-07-2010, 10:40 PM

Yes. My good friend who sings and plays acoustic is doing a duo with his brother. Once they got the ball rollin they booked gigs like crazy.. they play Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday. They charge 200.

They are mediocre guitar players, but really really good voices.

bassbully · #16 07-07-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ding_man

Yes. My good friend who sings and plays acoustic is doing a duo with his brother. Once they got the ball rollin they booked gigs like crazy.. they play Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sunday. They charge 200.

They are mediocre guitar players, but really really good voices.

The voices carry most bands like this doing covers etc. There isn't allot of flashy playing or need for it. Folks want to hear tunes covered with good harmonies and good vocals are the key.

Its cool to cover non acoustical songs this way for kicks...folks dig this. Even my band does this with a few covers of songs and we are a semi -acoustical, original's band. We cover "Billy Jean" with acoustic guitar, bass, drums and fiddle and folks love it.

infamusblkdeath · #17 07-08-2010, 01:36 AM

this probably isn't really going to be helpful, but i wanted to share cause this caught my eye. i haven't gigged in a while, and i don't have a real lot of experience. but over the past few years i've seen it become sorta trendy amongst friends and other people in the area. like i remember when i first started playing bass, everyone still played electric. but after a year or so went by, everyone only wanted to play acoustic.
i've heard a few people say they liked it better, and some claim because it sounds natural..etc, stuff along those lines.
one of my old band mates went completely solo and acoustic after we broke up. i just didn't get it.... i know it's me though, i feel way more powerful and like having a bigger variety of sounds.

so i'd say yes to your question, in some light at least.

**Freddels** · #18 07-08-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jive1

According the agency I spoke with they are. Their acoustic acts are getting about $250, and usually run 9-12. One less hour than most bands that do the 9-1AM thing, and the duo gets $125 a head with less PA to bring.

Once I mentioned to the agency I can put together acoustic duos all day long since I know many great musicians, they were very excited about that. They told me their top acoustic acts are working 20-30 shows a month, and that they still have dates available for July. That's how strong the demand has been.

What type of tunes are they looking for? Top 40 or 100 but only acoustic versions?

I haven't worked on my singing and playing b/c I'm not a very good singer (I don't have a good singing voice). I guess they'll have to like the instrumental version.

St Drogo · #19 07-08-2010, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyWifeBoris

Neither of us had acoustic amps, either. :O

I've never gotten that whole acoustic amps thing. I'm not experienced at all when it comes to acoustic gigs, so I'm sure I'm missing some practical need for them, but doesn't it defeat the whole "acoustic" idea? As in, unamplified?

Atticus · #20 07-08-2010, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Drogo

I've never gotten that whole acoustic amps thing. I'm not experienced at all when it comes to acoustic gigs, so I'm sure I'm missing some practical need for them, but doesn't it defeat the whole "acoustic" idea? As in, unamplified?

That would be the case, but for the fact that bar gigs are usually bigger than a couple of guitars and voices can cover.

I've seen a lot of friends start acoustic acts because they can't find good drummers.