Band Pics....are they still necessary?

[pepj]

If a booker has no clue what they are booking, they deserve all they get..and its pot luck. If thats how you run a business in a notoriously fickle environment, go for it.

Most bookers say its a 52 week business model that needs to work. There is not a lot of dates that can screw up and be a bust. This because over the year, the other days need to cover them.
In an area that has hundreds of gigs a week..probably...within an hrs drive, there might not be 17 decent bands...(3x17) but there will be plenty of bands after those gigs. (when SM posts a cancellation, with hrs there can be 50 bands replying) there is a lot to go wrong or not be a successful event, so you need to know what you are doing or you don't have a business.
The number of managers or tenants changing hands is, imv, testimony of how precarious it can be.

I haven't been back to one place for 5 years and I think they've changed hands at least times...and that's not that unusual.

So yes, knowing what the bands look and sound like to match up with your clientele is basically rule 101

 

[friskinator]

Band pics are the worst. I've always hated taking them and most that you see look contrived and awkward. When my band back in the 90s was signed to a major, we had a pro photographer and the pics still looked awkward.

Unless Anton Corbijn is the photographer, I'm not interested.

 

[hrodbert696]

A physical press kit, in hardcopy? No.

Social media pictures of the band? Sure.

Even if you don't look like a bunch of supermodels, pics help convey the vibe of the group and the kind of show to expect.

This was probably one of my favorites:

A couple of others...

(this group didn't last long).

The current cover band (yes, it's the same drummer from the first pic):

 

[Low End Scum]

Really depends on the culture of your scene and genre as others have said. When my rock band in Texas was doing cover sets we did occasionally get asked for a band pic. They were usually terminally awkward but we had a couple. The better ones included were shots during good shows. That said, we at least didn't phone it in for our group pics. I knew a local band at the time and half of them wore lounge/basketball shorts to take the pic and one even had white tube socks on in flip flops. Sorry fellas, it's not giving a message of "too cool to care" it's saying "mediocre lack of effort"

More than anything, video/audio recordings were always preferred.

These were some of our pics we used EDIT: Sorry didn't realize it was gonna make the one really small and the other one a little blurry

 

[Bullitt5135]

Branding gets you noticed. Maybe that’s not important for certain bands or markets. There are a lot of weekend warrior bands in my town vying for the same gigs. I want to stand out, so I put a lot of effort into to branding and social media content. It has absolutely got us noticed and has helped build a good following. Next year, we want to target bigger, higher profile venues. When I check out the bands that get those gigs, they usually have professional band portraits as part of their branding.

Our current Facebook banner photo is just a quick snapshot we took after a gig. A bit of Photoshop made it more interesting than the original. We’ve been wanting to replace this for a while now, but can’t seem to find the time to make it happen.

My wife takes a lot of great pictures at our shows, and the best ones go on Facebook within a day or two of the gig.

 

[51PRI]

I'd rather make the photos shots of you playing live, so they can see how you look on stage.

We haven't played any gigs yet but hopefully some live gig photos will happen soon. The LG sent me the pics. I edited them, added our logo and booking info and printed them out. The guys say they look good. I looked at it as a first draft that still can be changed they like them, so I guess we're set for now.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Band pics are still relevant. They personalize and engage, putting faces with the music.

They're also required by some of the rooms we play, who use them for their own social networking promo.

 

[BatBasstard]

If you are playing festivals, then the festival promoters will need a band photo for their program and website.

If you're touring band playing proper music venues (as distinct from places that sell beer and have bands in to encourage beer sales) you will need band photos for the venue's promotional materials


If you're a covers band playing pubs/bars that put on covers bands to encourage patrons to stay longer & drink more then I don't think you have any need for photos.