Ever had to do this to get a gig?

[tom once dead]

So I just recieved a message through myspace from a band who is putting on a gig next month. To get the gig, we have to get all our friends etc to text our band name (Quatto) to a number, and whichever band gets the most "votes" gets the gig.

I was/am very angry at this for a few reasons. The first one being my band are all good friends with the band putting it on, so obviously friendship doesnt matter over $$$. The second being (this may sound a bit big-headed) the only bands that were sent the message are the new, and not very good bands; and we have been around longer than they (the organising band) has and always get a better crowd responce than them at gigs. And the Last reason is that they are going for quantity over quality, hiring the band that will bring the biggest crowd, rather than the best bands.

I guess it just really pisses me off, considering its not a paid gig.
PS for any aussies out there who want to help us out, please text "quatto" to 0415606155.

[Vamposaur]

I've never had to do that before. I can definitely see why you are upset. But, most people want to put on shows that will make them more money. It's not really about the music anymore, sadly.

I would avoid shows like that in the future though.

[tom once dead]

problem is there are rarely any other gigs to do.

[Vamposaur]

Oh yeah...well that is a problem.
I suppose you could host your own shows?

[tom once dead]

We dont have the money, seeing half the band is in school or unemployed.

[()smoke()]

is ryan seacrest involved?

[OliverH]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

And the Last reason is that they are going for quantity over quality, hiring the band that will bring the biggest crowd, rather than the best bands.

I don't mean to be a smartass, but that's pretty much the underlying theme in the music industry since forever. I'm not surprised.

But yes, I'd be pissed off as well if there was a compulsory SMS vote just to get a gig. But that's how it is in Australia - hard to get decent gigs. About the best place to go is Melbourne as they actually support the arts rather than just stacking pokies to the roof.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I guess it just really pisses me off, considering its not a paid gig.

That right there is a reason to not let it get ya pissed off.

[tom once dead]

Originally Posted by ()smoke()

is ryan seacrest involved?

No Idea who that is. I'm in Australia remember

[Marko5657]

I guess the host Band assumes that the more people that text the name in, the more of them will come out to see them. I’m not sure that would be the case.

They should realize that one will get anybody, kids, relatives/family members, etc to send in their Band name, and that it won’t necessarily translate to more guests.

Since you know the host band personally, I’d just tell them “You know we’re better, and we’re above jumping through such hoops; if you want us, fine, if not, good luck”.



Well, personally I’d tell them “Good luck” and skip it, but that’s just me.

[phatbass]

Yeah; I hate this sorta crap

Anyhow, I did the text thing - hope it helps a fellow TB'er

[coreyfyfe]

Yeah we had to do that once. There's a local company who puts on a battle of the bands every year to coincide with a hockey tournament. They pick one band from each school involved in the tournament to play, but they pick each one through a text messaging service.

I agree it's kind of stupid, but it's their pre-screen to make sure that your band actually has people that will back you and might show up if you were to play.

[tom once dead]

Thanks A LOT. a bit +1 with Marko5657, I know and this is why I think its so stupid. We are getting everyone, to send in our name, even people who don't know us.

[otis_thick]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

So I just recieved a message through myspace from a band who is putting on a gig next month. To get the gig, we have to get all our friends etc to text our band name (Quatto) to a number, and whichever band gets the most "votes" gets the gig.

I was/am very angry at this for a few reasons. The first one being my band are all good friends with the band putting it on, so obviously friendship doesnt matter over $$$. The second being (this may sound a bit big-headed) the only bands that were sent the message are the new, and not very good bands; and we have been around longer than they (the organising band) has and always get a better crowd responce than them at gigs. And the Last reason is that they are going for quantity over quality, hiring the band that will bring the biggest crowd, rather than the best bands.

I guess it just really pisses me off, considering its not a paid gig.
PS for any aussies out there who want to help us out, please text "quatto" to 0415606155.

These so-called promoters want to see how many tickets they can sell. If your band generates x amount of texts (they are probably making money from that as well) they will book your show pay you less than they will make...I have seen it alot here in the mid-west. Its reverse of telling a club you can bring in x amount of fans to get a gig. That's the good thing about having myspace site...it shows your following and your pictures act as promo tools, as well as your demos. If you are really that much better, get a booking agent!

[MNAirHead]

Volunteer - do it on a street corner and stop traffic

[Turock]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

I was/am very angry at this for a few reasons. The first one being my band are all good friends with the band putting it on, so obviously friendship doesnt matter over $$$.

I guess it just really pisses me off, considering its not a paid gig.

Somebody's making money and you're not getting paid? Sounds like a sucker's gig. I'd pass.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Turock

Somebody's making money and you're not getting paid? Sounds like a sucker's gig. I'd pass.

Agreed- waste of time, sorry. Done this kind of thing enough to know.

[denhou1974]

I've seen something similair to that.

There's a club in town that will pay their [cover] bands more money if people bring in flyers with your band's name on them. i.e. - So they can prove that the BAND brought a crowd.

FWIW - We don't play those games. You pay, we play. End of story. We aren't giving away cell numbers, email addresses, etc of our friends. Next thing that happens is the club spams all thoses people and they get mad at you. No thanks.

[JohnMCA72]

Originally Posted by OliverH

I don't mean to be a smartass, but that's pretty much the underlying theme in the music industry since forever. I'm not surprised.

I guess that's why it's called the "Music Industry", not "Music Charity".

JM

[fdeck]

Sounds like a good way to build up a list of cell phone numbers for sending out gig spam.