Cover Band Shared Gigs

[Roadkill]

It's kinda sad that new bands don't get the opportunity to gig before they have a full night's worth of material. It often comes down to slapping together a bunch of old, tired easy songs just to get out or never getting out of the basement . Actually if I remember correctly it was the weeknights that one could go out and split a bill for a "live rehearsal" and even make a hundred or so - no prob paying for that 50 cents a gallon gas . OTOH equipment was about the same $$$ as today for decent stuff.

[drpepper]

It's not necessary and certainly not the norm, but there can be upsides to it.

My previous gigging band was vehemently opposed to even raising the subject, and the only time they "lowered themselves" to sharing the stage was the one fundraiser they ever agreed to play. Personally, I enjoyed it.

My for-fun band has had several opportunities to play two band nights; regular bar gigs, where the other band could have carried the night, but wanted to do the two band thing. My band could not carry a whole bar gig. Again it's a thing mostly for fun and it'll take time to get there, if it ever does.

The band that invited us had the interest of bringing more people in to see them. They also, just as far as their band culture and philosophy goes, enjoy playing part of the night and being able to kick back part of the night and just enjoy.

The times we've done it, in that context, it was a win-win all around.

[bluewine]

I would say all the popular cover band venues in Milwaukee wouldn't let a band make that call, to do a 2 band show.

Blue

[Tuned]

Cover bands typically aren't promoting recordings or merch, so it's all about the guarantee and/or cover charge. It doesn't make sense to play a partial night unless you have another gig to get to, which is pretty rare. Unless another gig is provided, my half-gig quote is the same as my full-gig quote. Odds are it'll be the band's only income for the night, might as well earn it. Or another band will.