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Booking Gigs

Truktek2

Truktek2

Sep 5, 2008
496
15
Queens, NY
#1
I have a few questions regarding booking gigs. My drummer set up a facebook page and has links to showcase what we do, so now what? Do you guys contact clubs and refer them to the links? How do you contact them? Cold calls, walk in or via e-mail. We were considering getting a booking agent, but since we are a blues cover band chances are we wouldn't be making much (if any) money, so I doubt any agent would be interested. Also can anyone recommend any clubs that caters to our type of band in the NYC/Queens area? If I'm not asking the right questions feel free to interject any helpful info. Thanks all :)
 
#2
Go to a Blues Jam and ask them to let your band sit in. Be nice, play 3 tunes, say thanks a lot and pass out some business cards, have some printed on line for under $20 for 250. Show up at the jam regularly and meet others who are sitting in, more business cards.
Cold calls rarely ever work. No one returns e-mails. I find all my work by showing up to a venue and meet the players and get your name around. They are the ones that will spread your name around in time.
 
#3
Blues/covers are bar bookable. Get three of your most danceable songs recorded in semi good to high quality. Hire a real photographer, (not one of your buddies with a digital camera), take some good action shots of you guys playing and get the photo's and music on a myspace or web page.

Open a dedicated email account specificly for your band, and preferably with the band name as the address. Then get simple business cards printed with the band name, the band email address, and the link to your page.

Then get out there and network, play open mics, scour the craigslist ads, meet people and make connections
 
#4
Be ready to build a reputation. You'll rarely, if ever, be a hot ticket on your first gig.

Get to know some venue owners. They won't always want to know you, but if they give you a chance at a gig, be proactive. Publicise the event, print posters or flyers, get a 'rent-a-crowd' sorted if you have to and don't expect too much in terms of rider or money from the gig.

Don't restrict yourself to the one locality...festivals in other towns / provinces are always good in terms of getting your name out there, and you can always book gigs on the way back home to make the trip more worthwhile.

Get an agent if you can, but it's cheaper to do it yourself in the early stages.

Give yourself a time frame (12 months?) to get some serious biulding done, and be ready to work hard! If you love music, it's all worth it.

Good luck
 
#6
Spread the word to those with connections. I picked up a drummer ny tsalking to a music shop owner, and got a few gis that way. Then do yourself a favor by getting marketing material. (Photos, vidoes, recordings etc.) At your first few gigs you get, give an awesome show. Throw everything down, as that will get you a good reputation.
 
#8
As well as Facebook, set up a Myspace, ReverbNation, and whatever other social networking sites you can find. Keep up with all of them and update them ANY time you get even a tidbit of information. Make sure all your pertinent contact info is there for communication and and booking, and link all websites to the other. Promote with your strongest (probably Facebook or MySpace) but keep all of them up to date. I've got my second gig with a touring, labeled band in August. I got that simply because we were listed as playing at that same venue with yet another touring band in July.

I got the first gig because I'm friends with one of the main bands playing. Keep in mind that nobody associated has even heard my band yet (a blessing and a curse). This was all networking success, though I sort of blindly stumbled into it.
 

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