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forming a band

Y

yarrr

Oct 31, 2010
18
0
#1
hey guys need some help here.

recently met a couple of people who play and want to get started as a club band, you know a band that plays in clubs.

however, in my town, there doesn't seem to be anywhere that openly advocates bands to come and play.

any ideas what to do?
do I just walk up and ask or something?
 
#2
I rarely play in clubs. Mostly due to my citys really bad live music scene especially for metal. Most of the gigs I play we put on ourselves or another local band puts it on. Normally 5-6 bands play in total at the gigs. They cost a fair bit to put on which makes putting them on risky. If 300 people turn up its awesome you get your money back and can pay the other bands. But if 40 turn up, you loose a lot of money and look like jerks for not paying anyone else.
 
#3
I don't have a band or gig or anything, but if they don't openly advocate it they either haven't given it thought or don't want bands. I'd suggest just get a number and call them to find out.
 
#4
There isn't much use trying to get venues to book you if they don't normally book acts like yours. You need to scout around your area, watch the classified ads, community events and the "nightlife" section of your local paper, all that kind of thing, and see what places are booking acts like yours -- or what kinds of acts DO get booked. Then you can approach them and see if you can find a night they have free to try you out. Forming a group that there's no demand for and then hitting the pavement to get gigs is going to be an exercise in frustration.
 
#5
If i see a place that has bands like in the same genre as mine i will usually ask for the manager or owner and slip em a couple song demo & contact info. places that don't normal play to your style is more of a get to know the owner and then talk to them.
 
#6
yarrr said:
hey guys need some help here.

recently met a couple of people who play and want to get started as a club band, you know a band that plays in clubs.

however, in my town, there doesn't seem to be anywhere that openly advocates bands to come and play.

any ideas what to do?
do I just walk up and ask or something?
Click to expand...

Where do you go to see bands play? What other places in towns have live bands? Those might be good places to start.
 
#7
yarrr said:
hey guys need some help here.

recently met a couple of people who play and want to get started as a club band, you know a band that plays in clubs.

however, in my town, there doesn't seem to be anywhere that openly advocates bands to come and play.

any ideas what to do?
do I just walk up and ask or something?
Click to expand...

Create a professional promo package and send it to the clubs in the area and surrounding areas. Then follow up on it.
 
#8
You probably need to do some research regarding the local music scene in your region. I would also add the surrounding areas at a 30 mile radius from your home town. Start getting on other bands e-mail lists to find out what clubs those bands are gigging at and start attending those shows. Check your local weekly rags for gigs and craigslist musicians section. You need to find out what kind of genres of music is being played in your local clubs. For example, most of the clubs in my area specialize in certain types of music. Generally speaking, clubs that have a certain clientele expecting a certain type of music will not book outside their comfort zone. Don't put together a speed metal band and expect to gig at clubs expecting dance rock. Have fun and good luck.
 
#9
It's probably been done before, but there is a lot of good info in this thread. Promo package especially. This can just be a manilla folder with your logo on it, with a cd and some information inside. I'm fairly new to the area I'm in at the moment, and by all accounts the live scene is dead >< but we'll see. Don't give up!
 
#12
mboogiemanusa said:
You probably need to do some research regarding the local music scene in your region. I would also add the surrounding areas at a 30 mile radius from your home town.
Click to expand...

This is a good point -- decide how far you're willing to travel for a gig, draw a big circle on the map with that radius, and start checking yellow pages town by town. At least one venue near us specifies that they WON'T book you if you've played another show within about a half-hour radius of them (we're in a relatively rural area). Aim for a circuit of venues that you cycle through -- one or two in your base town, one half an hour or more north, one half an hour south, etc.
 

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