How do you promote for your out-of-town gigs?

[Kermin VH]

My band has an out-of-town gig coming up on September 4th, at a venue and town we've never played in. The band we're sharing the bill with is from that town, so I'm hoping they'll draw a decent crowd.

However, I'm not the type of person to sit around and hope that someone takes the time to promote MY show. It's too far away for me to do any flyer legwork or anything like that, and I don't know ANYONE in the town (besides the other band). So, how do I go about getting the word out to an audience I know nothing about, and have no way to contact?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

[zac2944]

Send posters to the venue. Try to access the other bands email list if they are local. Get in any local publications. Contact local public broadcast radio stations.

[Spinal Tapper]

We usually mail about 10 11x17 flyers to the bar/venue that we're playing at...I can't say it helps, but at least it looks like you're trying. Especially to management, they like that stuff.

Yeah, you can't really expect a lot of people to show up for your band the first time you play somewhere, and you really have to bank on the other bands to draw. But if you guys all get along well, perform awesome, and make some new fans, its worth it.

Remember to bring an Email list! Don't just throw it on the merch table and expect people to sign it. Get your most social guy in the band to walk around while the other bands are playing and get people to sign it. Give them a free CD or sticker as incentive.

Categorize the list when you get home to that specific city. When you play there next time, you'll have a list of contacts who could potentially come out and support you guys.

The funnest part about playing out of town isn't always the show/crowd. It is what you make of it.