No live performance

[yarrr]

So lets say you wanted to form a band/solo act with no live performance. Yes 0 live performances. Instead you promote using facebookk, bandcomp, etc.
Some would balk yes, but is there a way to this and can you make a bit of cash doing so?

[Mybikeisblack]

Make the music, record the music, sell the music.

[sandmangeck]

People are making it further through the internet then through live shows these days.

[warnergt]

I'm skeptical but many success stories occurred through
unexpected methods. Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

[leonche64]

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

People are making it further through the internet then through live shows these days.

Actually, I think the reverse is true. There are tons of bands on the internet not making a penny after getting thousands of views, looks, tweets, what have you. There are lots of good bands tearing up the local, regional scene making a living doing it.

This is music. It is meant to be performed. If you just want to sell stuff online, clean out your attic and open an ebay store. Much more potential.

[KillianRussell]

I agree the reverse is true. The internet may not make you a penny after getting thousands of views, looks, tweets, etc. However providing you have great songs to the power of 7, the web could act as a springboard to future earnings.

Check this kid out
Hunter Hayes - Storm Warning (Official Video) - YouTube

[Pointyteeth]

Shows are a good way to get people aware of your music, so I'd really focus on your online presence if you aren't playing live. It'll be hard to get a fan base going, but hey, you never know.

[oniman7]

If you make it big, you could always have a single live show that you market for months with extravagant ticket fees since nobody will ever be able to see you play again.

[beggar98]

Has Rebecca Black ever performed live?

[bolophonic]

That scenario sounds lame, dude.

[fingerbun]

Gorillaz?
Milli Vanilli?
Lilly Allen?

Though of course you have to play live eventually, and Milli Vanilli are proof that if you can't there will be trouble.

[J_Sinster]

The whole point of playing live is in the first instance, promotion. Yes we have the internet now and you can do all sorts to show your music off and what not, but what's wrong with playing a proper show? I live for it, i wish i was playing more gigs cos i enjoy it so much, i see no point in recording material to sell and never truly promoting it.

Just my view.

[bassbully]

Not saying you wont have chance but its slim to none IMO.

[pandaman37]

you can perform on the internet. just saying.

[anderbass]

Are you just considering this 'no-gigging' scenario because you've never been in a band good enough to gig before?
If so, (trust me here) once you get a band going that's truly good, you guys will be totally craving to preform live.

[pklima]

Originally Posted by yarrr

Some would balk yes, but is there a way to this and can you make a bit of cash doing so?

In 2005, yes, you could promote yourself online, record an album, sell it, and make a profit. Today... not impossible but much harder to make it profitable. It's far easier to make live performances profitable than recordings.

[HolmeBass]

Originally Posted by leonche64

Actually, I think the reverse is true. There are tons of bands on the internet not making a penny after getting thousands of views, looks, tweets, what have you. There are lots of good bands tearing up the local, regional scene making a living doing it.

This is music. It is meant to be performed. If you just want to sell stuff online, clean out your attic and open an ebay store. Much more potential.

I agree with this. I find that it is much easier to make an impact on someone with the live show than with just listening to the CD/recordings. Most people need some additional queues to 'know' that something is really good- so either a million hits before they listen to a recording, or just being blown away at a loud, visceral rock show, or some critic telling them what the next 'hot' thing is; often just listening isn't enough. Especially if they only listen once. How many of your favorite songs were favorite after the first listen? Very few for me; I usually take a few listens before new creative music really clicks for me, and I feel, IMHO, that I have very good music appreciation ears.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by yarrr

So lets say you wanted to form a band/solo act with no live performance. Yes 0 live performances. Instead you promote using facebookk, bandcomp, etc.
Some would balk yes, but is there a way to this and can you make a bit of cash doing so?

I would also balk at this.

People hear good music/songs all the time; they aren’t starved such that they have to go searching for it like a needle in a haystack.

They typically have to be hit with it, say while their radio is on or they’re somewhere it’s getting played, they hear it a couple/few times, take a liking to it, then maaaybe buy (or acquire) it.

Even with hundreds of on-line “friends”, you’ll find very few who will actually pay 99 cents for the songs.

imo

[Jason P Bass]

I've thought about doing a side project that's all recorded, online, and no live performances. If it takes off and gets popular, then I'll bother with a live show.

Thought about it, never did it.

And I would never do it as my primary project.

[BryanM]

Unless you have something beyond just the music that's appealing the internet is a tough nut to crack. If you've got some gimmick that sets your music or style apart then go for it but don't expect it to replace a day job any time soon.