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Advice on starting a tribute band
- Thread starter kyral210
- Start date
Advice numbers 1 through 99 is get a good agent, or have a member reliably capable of doing that work.
Beyond that, if there are multiple tributes already doing the same band in the local area then you're going to need a hook. They will already have a crowd and you'll be fighting to get that attention so pick a particular era to replicate, have a new twist on the material, or just do something interesting.
People are willing to ignore the small details if you get the large brush strokes right. You can get away with quite a lot of inaccuracy as long as you deliver the whole package convincingly. Don't waste time arguing about the authenticity of guitar tones until you're putting on a good show.
Beyond that, if there are multiple tributes already doing the same band in the local area then you're going to need a hook. They will already have a crowd and you'll be fighting to get that attention so pick a particular era to replicate, have a new twist on the material, or just do something interesting.
People are willing to ignore the small details if you get the large brush strokes right. You can get away with quite a lot of inaccuracy as long as you deliver the whole package convincingly. Don't waste time arguing about the authenticity of guitar tones until you're putting on a good show.
A successful tribute is about the show experience. Start from there and work backwards. AC/DC have some very specific show elements that you need to nail. Sorry but your Angus needs to wear the school uniform and run around, for instance. If all you do is nail the songs you can call yourselves a tribute but you’re really just a cover band doing an AC/DC set. The good tribute bands give people the experience of being at a concert that they can’t see anymore because the artists are older now and not the same, or dead.
If you can get the main points and the vibe right some details will be forgiven: I have a friend who played Malcolm in an AC/DC tribute and he was a good foot taller than Mal, and bald. But if you do it right everyone will be looking at Angus and Brian/Bon.
If you can get the main points and the vibe right some details will be forgiven: I have a friend who played Malcolm in an AC/DC tribute and he was a good foot taller than Mal, and bald. But if you do it right everyone will be looking at Angus and Brian/Bon.
There are certain band members who will always have to commit to the look unfortunately, and you'll know who they are. Nobody is going to care how the drummer looks as long as he wears something vaguely era-appropriate, but if you're playing Freddie you're going to have to grow or fake the tache.
The best part of playing Cliff: few people knows what he (bassist) looks like, and those that do just know: jeans, T-shirt, long hair
My very first concert was in 1977, I was in 3rd grade and my mom took me to see Kiss for my birthday.
AC/DC with Bon Scott was the opening act, and they blew Kiss out of the water. They must have been using some kind of early wireless prototype, because Angus came off stage and deep into the crowd riding on Bon's shoulders. What a show.
OK, not to go too off topic, but I guess I share that story to agree with those who are saying that the show is the most important part. Watch tons of concert footage and make sure you can pull off their signature performance components with professionalism.
AC/DC with Bon Scott was the opening act, and they blew Kiss out of the water. They must have been using some kind of early wireless prototype, because Angus came off stage and deep into the crowd riding on Bon's shoulders. What a show.
OK, not to go too off topic, but I guess I share that story to agree with those who are saying that the show is the most important part. Watch tons of concert footage and make sure you can pull off their signature performance components with professionalism.
I assume you've been in a band before, right? If not, then start with the basics: get everyone on board on what the plan is as far as look and sound, agree on how income and expenses will be split, agree on how often you want to practice and play.
Specific to tributes: You need about 24 songs, pick them out up front so everyone knows what to practice and stick to that list. AC/DC has a huge catalog, so it is easy to have rehearsals turn into a competition about who knows the most AC/DC songs. Avoid that by sticking to the list. You can always work in new songs later. Pick songs that the crowd likes (not just your favorites) and songs that are danceable.
The singer is the most important thing, find someone with the look and the sound. Angus is super-important too. And you can't have 2 Anguses, one guitar player has to be the other guy. Pick a name that instantly says "that's an AC/DC tribute" (don't pick "Soul Stripper" as a name just because it is one of their songs -no one will get it). Get the branding right - the logo, the look of your social media/web pages, and your stage look has to look like AC/DC too. If someone squints, they need to think they might actually be at an AC/DC show.
Specific to tributes: You need about 24 songs, pick them out up front so everyone knows what to practice and stick to that list. AC/DC has a huge catalog, so it is easy to have rehearsals turn into a competition about who knows the most AC/DC songs. Avoid that by sticking to the list. You can always work in new songs later. Pick songs that the crowd likes (not just your favorites) and songs that are danceable.
The singer is the most important thing, find someone with the look and the sound. Angus is super-important too. And you can't have 2 Anguses, one guitar player has to be the other guy. Pick a name that instantly says "that's an AC/DC tribute" (don't pick "Soul Stripper" as a name just because it is one of their songs -no one will get it). Get the branding right - the logo, the look of your social media/web pages, and your stage look has to look like AC/DC too. If someone squints, they need to think they might actually be at an AC/DC show.
There are multiple TOOL tributes in my reasonably large metro area (3.5 million people). There isn't enough interest for a single one to do well, but I think there are three at any given time. AC/DC is a different deal since they are obviously much more popular/well known. But you're right in that if there are multiple AC/DC tributes it can be uphill. And a political situation with venues.
In addition:
1. Read the market. What other tributes are popular? What venues do they play? How many people come to these shows? How often do they play? Then you can try to guess what your possible return is based on your expectations.
2. For AC/DC, having a vocalist who is consistently good, convincing, and has charisma will be key. So will having somebody who can play well on guitar but also do Angus Young things. People expect this. It's one thing to play the music well, it's another thing entirely with that stage presence. This is true for any band, but it's a really high bar for something like this where the expectations are. If you can't get the vocalist/lead guitar situation worked out convincingly I'd reconsider doing it.
3. Play the hits, every show. Keep the lesser known stuff and your personal favorites minimal. To keep yourselves happy, add these and rotate them as small part of the set list. If you're going to have a particuarly long set then you can add more of them, just strategically place the hits so it keeps the energy going.
4. Get the drummer on a click that is "album correct". A lot of bands in this space focus on "tone" but the tempo being where peopl expect it is huge and often overlooked. If a song is 123 BPM on an album, keep that drummer locked in at 123 BPM.
5. Try to get shows with bands that line up with the genre/time period. Crossover interest will get more people in the door.
6. Try to get shows with bands that bring in women. This is a lot harder given the age of this music, but more women = more people going to shows. They seem to be more motivated on average to go out and do things and their friends and dudes will follow.
Putting these together: I'm in two actual tributes and two themed cover bands (still sorta tribute-y because we stay on the theme hard). Two of these have done insanely well (the others are good, just not the same level). Nobody else does them in our metro. Our vocalists are insane (also good guitar players) and charasmatic as hell; people are just drawn to them. Our rythym section is always on point; we use the click to nail album tempo. We line those bands up with other band that fit, including ones that are also popular with women. We're also selective with shows/venues to make sure we're not playing all the shows, but the right ones (maximum interest/attendance).
Another thing: again I know it's different because the AC/DC crew trends older. But I think you realistically need to look at how people look on stage. Not just what they wear, but general attractiveness to the public. If the whole band is a bunch of decently overweight old dudes that might be a serious problem. It sucks because it's supposed to be about music, but a large portion of people definitely hear with their eyes.
If your band mates drink too much don't leave them in the car and don't lie them flat.
What to Do When Someone’s Passed Out Drunk
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There is a successful AC/DC tribute here in the Portland area, and I've seen them a few times. What I've noticed is that they:
1. Look like the band, about 90%. Lead singer sounds spot-on like Brian Johnson, but doesn't look like him, so he just dresses kind of "rock" ish.
2. Lead guitar player dresses like Angus, moves around like Angus. Both guitar players have the tones nailed down, too.
3. Bass player wears the long hair wig, and dresses like Cliff. Actually has a Stingray Classic, too, with the pickguard removed.
They put on a good show, and they play the hits. Success!
1. Look like the band, about 90%. Lead singer sounds spot-on like Brian Johnson, but doesn't look like him, so he just dresses kind of "rock" ish.
2. Lead guitar player dresses like Angus, moves around like Angus. Both guitar players have the tones nailed down, too.
3. Bass player wears the long hair wig, and dresses like Cliff. Actually has a Stingray Classic, too, with the pickguard removed.
They put on a good show, and they play the hits. Success!
Why is the Cliff Williams wig and stingray bass so important? I was hoping to get by with a wig and Thunderbird bass
He did this on the back in black tour (I think on a roadie, not Brian) and it was a highlight for me after having been nearly crushed to death at the front of the stage.
Imo doing an AC DC tribute is all about somebody who can do a convincing Angus (all of it, not just the playing), along with a solid falsetto screamer up front. Not the most interesting gig for the rest of the band.
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Make sure there aren’t any ACDC tributes in your geographical area. There are many many of them around, some of which are insanely good.
when learning songs, make sure to absolutely sweat the details. The best tribute acts perform with near perfect accuracy. And get those guitar and bass tones down! Play the ‘correct’ instruments!!
Wigs are also not cool. They're very lame in fact.
Pick one or the other, or both if you can. I think a wig and a Thunderbird would be great. Or no wig, and a Stingray. Take your pick.
