Each band has only one venue?

[Core Creek]

I’m not too sure it’s typical. My band does have a few regular places but we hit them once every couple of months. Other gigs are private events, outdoor festivals, weddings, etc. And there are definitely places we play that don’t seem to want us back. That’s my gigging world but everyone’s can vary…

 

[Altitude]

Much depends on the venue. There are a few places around here where I’d be pleased to go exclusive, if that meant I could avoid playing in a few other places around here.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I'd opt for four bands each with one stage rather than obe band playing four times as much. One setlist gets boring fast. One-off gigs are ideal with a rotation of players and different set lists.

 

[JazznFunk]

Back in the day we called those 'residencies', and they were valued.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

We booked shows near and far over the years....but,
It was always kinda nice the few times we settled into a residency at a place that treated us right, and our regular crowd liked.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'd much rather have one band that books several places. Four bands' worth of songs to learn is a bit much! I don't have enough study time for that.

 

[crazyBassClown]

Back in the day we called those 'residencies', and they were valued.

How regularly does it need to be to be called a residency? Does once every 2 months count?

Personally I'd say unless you are playing every week you don't have a "residency"

 

[DaveParker39]

I mean, I get not wanting to be in four bands simultaneously. Assuming all four bands are good bands, it seems like the logical thing to do would be either:

1) Pick the one (or two) you enjoy playing in the most and just play with them
2) Pick the most ambitious one (in terms of leadership) and push for more gigs in other venues

 

[DaveParker39]

How regularly does it need to be to be called a residency? Does once every 2 months count?

Personally I'd say unless you are playing every week you don't have a "residency"

Yeah, this term gets thrown around pretty hapharzardly. The first friday of every month isn't a residency, it's a recurring gig.

 

[Lazylion]

View attachment 5462441 View attachment 5462442

Why is that funny? I have a day job and a wife to help me decide what to do with my "free" time!

 

[DJ Bebop]

Why is that funny? I have a day job and a wife to help me decide what to do with my "free" time!

I found it funny based on your handle
@Lazylion, and that is one thing some folks dream of having, the variety and the chance to play different music in different venues with different people.

I didn't mean it personally or to get your fur up, (your handle again )

PS I'm glad you put your family first. I would never want to discourage that!

 

[BaltBass5]

I have 1 band and about 25 regular venues.

 

[JazznFunk]

How regularly does it need to be to be called a residency? Does once every 2 months count?

Personally I'd say unless you are playing every week you don't have a "residency"

I see that sarcasm is lost on this board.... again.

But then again... 'residency' could be defined in a few ways... and it depends on the venue in question. If you are the only band they book regularly, on a given night, every week, that's a residency. If they only have live music on a handful of nights in a month and they book you... that's a residency. So maybe look at WHAT is happening versus working backward from what you think the word means and then bending it to fit what you think it should mean. Regular gig, residency, potato, puhh-taaah-toe.

 

[2saddleslab]

Back in the blues revival days of the 80's & 90's each local blues venue had its own anchor band. We would then book at each other's venues which helped all the bands & the clubs. It really worked out well when you had 6 or more locations involved.

 

[ebo]

Getting into new clubs takes work. Rebooking into the same clubs is much easier. My band has 6-8 clubs we book on a recurring basis. We have a 2nd tier of clubs we do once a year or so. We could fill our calendar with these but we leave space to accommodate private events, festival type gigs, etc. The longer a band is together, the better the frequent venues should become. Developing the relationships with bookers and club staff takes effort. Sounds like no one wants to step up.

 

[Drop1]

Having access to multiple bands can be very useful if you know how to use it.

If you decide to go hustle up gigs, you have 4 choices to offer. You can expand this by getting to know even more bands and having them pay you for gigs acquired.

It may take you a little time to get used to who fits where, but it can make your hustle time profitable.
You'd be borderline working as a promoter. Get the right bands together and you may may be able to put on your own shows.

I used to do this a LOT with dj's. You'd be surprised how quickly things can grow if you have access to many different bands. You'll become a go to guy for access and get paid to do it.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Oh! Oh! I got an idea!!!

1) Convince each of the bands they just need to step out of their comfort zone and try playing at another spot.
2) Use your connections with the venue owners for each of the 4 places you play to get a booking.
3) Shuffle the band bookings around like you're Brad Pitt in Moneyball
4) When things go well, tell them "See? Worked out pretty well, didn't it?"
5) Repeat with the other 2 venues the other bands haven't played yet
6) Now they'll try and get more diverse gigs
7) You are the winner, enjoy your poultry meal during the evening hours of the day.

 

[scuzzy]

i played with a pop-punk band a few years back and we pretty much only played one venue, all the time. we were the band the promoter contacted when they had a cancellation or hole in the lineup, and the leader snatched up the spot.

 

[logdrum]

The only place I'd call a residency is a place like the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock New York. Where you can go go ball outs artistic and play music that is as original as original gets. 3-4 chords cover played 95% 4/4 -- not so much even if you have been there for 10 years

 

[mrcbass]

I'm with four bands right now. Seems each band has one place they book regularly... and not much else. Is that how it is now?

I'd much rather have one band that books several places. Four bands' worth of songs to learn is a bit much! I don't have enough study time for that.

I don't think there is any such thing as "how it is now". From my perspective, there are as many ways to book gigs as there are venues or bands.

Personally I've seen that some bands do grace some venues regularly as in they play a gig every month or two at the same venue. But I've not seen it where the band only plays that venue - outside of a "house band" type situation anyway. I've actually experienced that the bands I've played in tend to play a lot of the same venues.

Your post seems to contain two completely separate rants though. Yes, managing music for 4 bands is a lot of work - but that's easily fixed if it is a problem. Sure we'd all like to be in the "perfect band", that plays exactly the amount that we prefer, has access to lot's of good paying venues, has a playlist that keeps us interested and has solid leadership and members that do what it takes to make it work. Few of us ever get this so we do what we have to to find or happy place. I

love having multiple projects (and especially like doing sub work), but keeping track of 4 sets of playlists would be daunting. Having overlapping songs is both a blessing and a curse (it's not unusual that I have to have multiple versions of a song prepared because the different band's play it just a bit different). Even if they play it the same, for me, it's just an opportunity to get burnt out on the song that much quicker.

It sounds to me like you need to find a couple of bands that play out more so you can get the stage time in that you need but don't have to keep up on 4 play lists.