Is your band suddenly losing gigs in this economy?

[rollerberg2000]

Before we digress into "it could be your band is overexposed, or you guys suck, or three pieces aren't popular anymore, I ask you fellow TB'rs who are in a regular band a simple question:

Is it harder to find gigs now, and are the dollars where you're at fewer?

Brief history, our band came out of the starting blocks like a rocket in February of 2009. We still managed to book over a hundred gigs that year, we very much in demand and really didn't have to knock on many doors, clubs were calling us.

Fast forward to 2010, we made a drummer change in April. We didn't miss a lick, we picked up my brother, everything improved overall and still in demand, maybe a tad slower than it was in '09.

Fast forward to today, we only have a smattering of bookings, the places that used to call us aren't calling, the places we are trying to get into are putting us off.

What's up? We don't suck, we've gotten better with the addition of my bro, we put on a grueling four hour show with two breaks and keep the people either actively listening to us or dancing where it's a dance place. I know it's not just us, other bands are struggling in our area. I think the economy is so uncertain that clubs are looking hard at the next year and maybe doing one night of karaoke or bringing in a DJ for a Friday or Saturday night and then booking a band for one night.

Anyway, I hope this isn't a one post thread, I'm really interested in what other folks are finding out there in the land of "cover band" entertainment. At this point I'm a little depressed over it, but if it's happening to a lot of other geographic areas and to other bands I will find some encouragement from that. Of course I could hear that everything is fine, in fact it's never been better for the rest of you guys, and I will post all my crap over in the for sale threads.

Come on guys, let's hear what is going on with booking and your band for next year!

[Joospocks]

I don't know that it's the economy, (In Grande Prairie at least) it seems like the economy reached its crappiest point in maybe early 2009. Maybe in your area it's different, or maybe places think that bands are more of a risk than DJs or something.

Actually I'm not in a band right now so I can't tell you what the booking situation is like around here.

[EddiePlaysBass]

I think the reign of the DJ is still not over. It has been like this for years now, where I live. Roughly 10 - 15 years ago (before I started playing), my dad was in a succesful cover band. They played an average of 3 shows per weekend and cashed in big time. My dad has since quit that band but they are still going, and they have nowhere near the kind of bookings they once had.

A colleague of my gf commented recently about their company's annual corporate party: "Why do they always bring in a live band? Who wants to hear that? Just hire a DJ already!"

Think her sentiment sort of sums it up

[edit] My band hardly has any bookings, but we s*ck so we don't count

[bassbully]

We are an originals band and that scene is going strong (thank God) the cover band scene is dying and almost dead due to clubs closing or using DJs etc to get chicks in to dance .

[mboogiemanusa]

The scene here is cover bands on Friday / Saturday night and Karaoke or DJ on some of the other nights. Occasionally it's a band on one weekend night and DJ on the other. The days of a place having a house band that gigs 5 nights a week are long gone and so is the pay. Competition for gigs is fierce and if you can't put the butts in the seats and the ladies on the dance floor then you'll be replaced. Overexposure is a real issues so we only book a gig at the same club every 4 to 6 weeks. We will then book other gigs in another towns at the same 4 to 6 week interval. That leaves plenty of weekends for private parties and events which is where the money is these days. If you play too often in the same place without some space between the dates, then people will tire of you no matter how good you are. The places that no longer want your services are probably trying out some fresh talent. Take a break and use this opportunity to learn some new material or consider adding an attractive female singer/musician into the mix to freshen up the visual.

[DavidE]

I think one of the problems I'm seeing is that there are more bands in my area and some are willing to play for really low pay. It kills the rest of us. My bands are booking at a steady pace for 2011, but I won't be playing as much as I did in the past.

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by rollerberg2000

Before we digress into "it could be your band is overexposed, or you guys suck, or three pieces aren't popular anymore, I ask you fellow TB'rs who are in a regular band a simple question:

Is it harder to find gigs now, and are the dollars where you're at fewer?

Brief history, our band came out of the starting blocks like a rocket in February of 2009. We still managed to book over a hundred gigs that year, we very much in demand and really didn't have to knock on many doors, clubs were calling us.

Fast forward to 2010, we made a drummer change in April. We didn't miss a lick, we picked up my brother, everything improved overall and still in demand, maybe a tad slower than it was in '09.

Fast forward to today, we only have a smattering of bookings, the places that used to call us aren't calling, the places we are trying to get into are putting us off.

What's up? We don't suck, we've gotten better with the addition of my bro, we put on a grueling four hour show with two breaks and keep the people either actively listening to us or dancing where it's a dance place. I know it's not just us, other bands are struggling in our area. I think the economy is so uncertain that clubs are looking hard at the next year and maybe doing one night of karaoke or bringing in a DJ for a Friday or Saturday night and then booking a band for one night.

Anyway, I hope this isn't a one post thread, I'm really interested in what other folks are finding out there in the land of "cover band" entertainment. At this point I'm a little depressed over it, but if it's happening to a lot of other geographic areas and to other bands I will find some encouragement from that. Of course I could hear that everything is fine, in fact it's never been better for the rest of you guys, and I will post all my crap over in the for sale threads.

Come on guys, let's hear what is going on with booking and your band for next year!

About the worst I've seen it in over 35 years!

[derridiandrift]

Here are two different experiences that I can share...

Covers or originals, clubs will always go with a sure thing. If they have any reason to doubt your ability to draw people, they'll shy away from booking you. It's expensive to run a bar.

The recording act that I'm currently working with has all the gigs they want, but they have a CD that's charting in the top 5 on some college radio stations right now. Those gigs will dry up once the CD falls off the charts, but then there's always the next one, right? When we play locally, the rooms are filled. When we headline out of town where we're getting radio exposure, we can sometimes fill rooms. When we do a show where the CD isn't being played, we're building an audience one or two people at a time. It can be grueling.

I'm also playing in a cover band that stays real local. They had a long history and a loyal following, but they went through some lineup changes and lost their "fans." I joined when they were booking pretty slow because, frankly, it fit my busy schedule. Things are picking up now because there's some unity and enthusiasm being built within the band and it's starting to show in performances. I think the economy is only piece of this.

In my opinion, every band really needs to "bring it" somehow or the people in the room might as well be listening to satellite radio while they try to hook up. Original acts need to be realistic about how well their songs reach people. Play where you're clearly reaching people. Take chances on places where you need to build an audience. In some ways, original bands can be a bit lazier about the live show because the audiences are slightly more forgiving of original acts that aren't a visual spectacle. There's a coolness factor that original bands are allowed. You can be a shoe-gazer and get away with it when people dig your songs.

Again, IMO, cover bands need to understand that they're in a different game. Where an original act "brings it" with songs that connect, cover bands need to select other people's songs that connect, play them in a way that the audience can appreciate, and then put on some kind of visual thing that entertains, looks cool, but isn't contrived. In the cover band world, you'd better have some seriously entertaining aspect of your show. The challenge is to figure out what you have in you that entertains people and then bring it. Standing still on stage and playing songs that you think are cool really doesn't cut it in the cover band world, but it can in the original band scene.

Having said all of that, times are tough. That can work for you and against you. In good times, people are sometimes too busy to care about the arts. In hard times, people turn to the arts and entertainment to be consoled. The problem is that so many venues struggle to stay open, and people pay to play. No matter how badly you want to play, just say no to "pay to play" regardless of the alleged "exposure" potential.

[jive1]

Oddly, the economy has picked up around here, but for me bookings haven't.

Usually summer is kinda slow unless you're doing festivals, but this summer for me has been pretty good. I did 6 dates in July, 5 in June, and averaged 3-4 in the months prior. I had to take a break in August for my son being born, but after September I was ready to get back into it. I was hoping to ride the wave of previous business, but I had 1 booking in October, and 1 in November. Part of it had to do with me taking time off, and the agency going with other folks during my hiatus. Part of it is due to me having less time to hustle gigs. But, I don't think that's all. It's the slowest it's been for me in years. Usually I expect bookings to pick up from Labor day until about end of school, but this year it's been the opposite.

On the bright side, I've been getting more leads and bookings in the last week, and hopefully that will turn the tide. The business can be so inconsistent, and I don't think it's just the economy. What I have noticed due to the economy is less establishments going with full bands, and instead going with fools on stools (acoustic acts). In the past, I might do a few acoustic shows a year. Now, I'm probably doing about 50-50 acoustic since 2009, with some months where the acoustic thing was the only act getting booked.

[Johnny Crab]

No. Last year was "worse" than this year but only due to a venue closing and us having to relocate/replace it in the bookings calendar.

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

Again, IMO, cover bands need to understand that they're in a different game. Where an original act "brings it" with songs that connect, cover bands need to select other people's songs that connect, play them in a way that the audience can appreciate, and then put on some kind of visual thing that entertains, looks cool, but isn't contrived. In the cover band world, you'd better have some seriously entertaining aspect of your show. The challenge is to figure out what you have in you that entertains people and then bring it. Standing still on stage and playing songs that you think are cool really doesn't cut it in the cover band world,.....

Says it all.
As a manager once told me about a guitarist's lack of stage presence/show back in the late 70's:

"I was waiting for a pigeon to come land on his shoulder".

"Handing down the music" or being overly impressed with yourself will not cut it in a cover band. You have to be normal offstage, entertaining/talented onstage, let the audience see you having a great time(even if it is the 200th time you played that song), SMILE, and be professional & friendly with owners/establishment workers. Violate any of those and the folks hiring you will start having 2nd thoughts.

[recreate.me]

I don't know if its the economy over where I am, but no one gets much pay at all, anywhere. We have a handful of originals, and i have never seen a cover band play... I wouldn't even know where they would play.

The originals get good, get a following then leave to Toronto and try to 'make it big'. Every once and a while a bigger name band will play and get paid but they are bands from out of town on tour. When they do come, local bands open and get no pay, just the chance to play a show.

I have been in a original band for about a year now, and we play once a month, always for free. The only thing i noticed is less audience, even at other shows, no one can afford 10$ here and there to see a local band, when they can buy a CD online for 10$ of a band they really want. Sucks.

We should really try to get a Talkbass show swap going. Like your band plays in my town and they my band plays in your town.. maybe that can get more circulating haha

[WJGreer]

We've seen management or ownership changes in many of the places we play, so we have to start again with the relationship building. In a number of cases, places where we played two or three years ago are closed completely.

So, yes.

[svenbass]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

In a number of cases, places where we played two or three years ago are closed completely.

Lot's of that going on here in the Northeast... that said, it seems that things have passed the low point around here ... I hope.

[bassbrad]

Yep it's much tougher, in the past we could pick and choose now we have to really work. What is really killing us are the bands that will play for little or nothing just to be playing somewhere

[rollerberg2000]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

Yep it's much tougher, in the past we could pick and choose now we have to really work. What is really killing us are the bands that will play for little or nothing just to be playing somewhere

This. I agree with the statement about "bringing it" if you're a cover band. Also many of the places we played regularly have changed hands, new owners and management that you have to start all over with. Unfortunately, most new owners want to "change direction" with their establishment, breaking away from the way things were done before, unfortunately your band may be one of the things that falls under "change in direction".

[MNAirHead]

I've noticed the music taste has changed...

For a true cover band, it's a different vibe.


We're getting a ton of bookings as a low key duo/trio...

Overall have noticed that playing the same boring tunes to the same boring folks isn't cutting it..... Seems as if gimmicky stuff is back.. quality country is now gaining more headroom.. pop and classic rock are taking a break.

I don't believe it's harder... just different.

[Grizzly700]

Originally Posted by rollerberg2000

Before we digress into "it could be your band is overexposed, or you guys suck, or three pieces aren't popular anymore, I ask you fellow TB'rs who are in a regular band a simple question:

Is it harder to find gigs now, and are the dollars where you're at fewer?

Brief history, our band came out of the starting blocks like a rocket in February of 2009. We still managed to book over a hundred gigs that year, we very much in demand and really didn't have to knock on many doors, clubs were calling us.

Fast forward to 2010, we made a drummer change in April. We didn't miss a lick, we picked up my brother, everything improved overall and still in demand, maybe a tad slower than it was in '09.

Fast forward to today, we only have a smattering of bookings, the places that used to call us aren't calling, the places we are trying to get into are putting us off.

What's up? We don't suck, we've gotten better with the addition of my bro, we put on a grueling four hour show with two breaks and keep the people either actively listening to us or dancing where it's a dance place. I know it's not just us, other bands are struggling in our area. I think the economy is so uncertain that clubs are looking hard at the next year and maybe doing one night of karaoke or bringing in a DJ for a Friday or Saturday night and then booking a band for one night.

Anyway, I hope this isn't a one post thread, I'm really interested in what other folks are finding out there in the land of "cover band" entertainment. At this point I'm a little depressed over it, but if it's happening to a lot of other geographic areas and to other bands I will find some encouragement from that. Of course I could hear that everything is fine, in fact it's never been better for the rest of you guys, and I will post all my crap over in the for sale threads.

Come on guys, let's hear what is going on with booking and your band for next year!

Where do you play around here anyways? lol

I didn't realize there was even an opportunity for 100 gigs a year in a great economy.

[KayXero]

Originally Posted by EddiePlaysBass

I think the reign of the DJ is still not over. It has been like this for years now, where I live. Roughly 10 - 15 years ago (before I started playing), my dad was in a succesful cover band. They played an average of 3 shows per weekend and cashed in big time. My dad has since quit that band but they are still going, and they have nowhere near the kind of bookings they once had.

A colleague of my gf commented recently about their company's annual corporate party: "Why do they always bring in a live band? Who wants to hear that? Just hire a DJ already!"

Think her sentiment sort of sums it up

[edit] My band hardly has any bookings, but we s*ck so we don't count

I have to agree with this. I like it better when its a DJ. Or maybe a live band then a DJ after. Esp if its a younger band around my age. (im 24)

Then again I am just talking about the club scene and what not. For the bars I like live music a little more than a crappy bar DJ. Especially if the live band can play the acoustics of the bar well, sound good, and not too loud.

[rollerberg2000]

Originally Posted by Grizzly700

Where do you play around here anyways? lol

I didn't realize there was even an opportunity for 100 gigs a year in a great economy.

Hey Grizzly, probably not 100 shows per year in Knoxville proper, but if you include Anderson, Scott, Blount, Sevier, Campbell, Monroe, Loudon, Roane counties, etc, plus some shows we play up in KY, it's easy to book 100 shows a year. You have to consider lots of clubs do their biker nights on Tue, Wed or Thursday, so you can wind up with 3 or 4 nights a week in the summer.

[faulknersj]

Perhaps we are just lucky, but my bands revenue more than quadrupled in 2009 over 2010.We are booked 5 - 6 nights a week here in the Phoenix Az area, and have been traveling recently to New Mexico, Utah, and Tucson for high paying private funtions. I attribute this to several factors.1) We provide more bang for you buck; we are a 9 piece, and willing to play club and casino gigs for as low as $100 per man and have been taking bookings away.from the 5 piece bands that charge the same amount we do. 2) We have 3 absolutely top notch singers / entertainers that shine individually and as a team. 4) People love horns...they love them! While it is tempting to 'cut costs' by eliminating horn players, keys, etc...it is also difficult to command fees in the $3500 - $10,000 range, and this (weddings, corporate events) is where the real $ is. 5) We can reproduce songs the way people know and love them. Nothing against cover bands that do thier own thing at all, but this model has been a HUGE factor in our growth trajectory. Have you ever seen one of your favorite bands in concert do a 'new' and 'different' version of one of your favorite songs and wished they would have performed it in the way you are used to hearing it? We are constantly told by clients 'if I closed my eyes I could have sworn that was actually Michael Jackson.' etc.. 6) No dead space during sets....our songs flow continuously into one another without stopping. 7) We are willing to play lower paying gigs if they are high profile or offer us an oportunitty to market ourselves to a target clentel. We have a regular Tuesday night gig that we have been doing for 3 months. Pay = the door. We have booked 3 events in the $3000 plus range because of the exposure this gig provides. 8) Repetiore...cover bands are only as good as the songs they play. Song selection and the ability to read and adapt to the audiences tastes is paramount to success in my opinion. We always mix in a variety of old/new, fast/slow songs in our first set, this allows us to read and react to each individual audience.

No doubt the economy is a factor, but to me, this means a band has to be willing to work harder for less pay. Economies are out of our control. Thus, putting each band members focus on what you CAN control, is likely the final determinant of a bands level of success.

Wow, that was a long post Best wishes to all and just keep your heads up and keep moving forward!