I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself when I talk about a bunch of teens in a band getting gigs, but I've have been trying to get us at least small gigs. We haven't had any luck. We have been turned down because people don't take us seriously. We are a very good band, but we just can't get even a small gig. What should we do?
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Getting Known!!
- Thread starter the walrus
- Start date
you should record a demo and/or a video of a performance that you take seriously. this should be standard reference for someone who wants to get to know your band but hasn't seen you live yet.
demos. demos are like a big key to gigs. every time you play a gig get live footage and take the best couple songs and add them. Look for similar bands/shows and call up your local venues and ask for openings. let them know you're out there. internet presence is big now too. get all your friends to like you on facebook. These are just places to start just remember, only you can get it going and it's not gonna be easy. don't be afraid of doing some work
Make contact with known local bands, and see if they need someone to open for them. You could play early etc. Network around, get some names.........you'll get a shot if your decent. Have you demo CD etc.
My kids band even entered talent shows. It's a pain when you get beat out by a ballet dancer, but make connections however you can.
My kids band even entered talent shows. It's a pain when you get beat out by a ballet dancer, but make connections however you can.
I've been in this situation when I first started out. There are opportunities if you make them. Some really good things to do include these:
- Play at your high school. Organise a lunch time concert, for example, or an end-of-year shindig for your class. Best if you can use the schools gym or auditorium. Make it a charity or fundraising event to sweeten the deal with those in charge at the school.
- Enter competitions like a Battle Of The Bands. If there is none, but you know at least four or five bands around the town, see if you can work together to organise your own competition. This is also something that the school could help with, and could also be presented as a fundraising opportunity.
- Again, if you know a few bands, see if you can work together with a youth or community services group to put together a concert aimed at underage people.
- If you know a friend with a big backyard or garage, organise a party (but do it responsibly) and do a short set for your friends. This is a great way to get practice in, impress the opposite sex, and get some experience in a live situation. It also makes for an awesome Saturday afternoon/evening with friends.
- Record a simple demo, get it into the hands of your friends, and especially get it on the internet. Make accounts on social networking sites to start gathering a fan base beyond the people you personally know.
- Depending on your style, you could set up anywhere (a park, skatepark, outside a mall, on the street) with acoustic instruments and bang a few tunes out and see if people notice you. It's a good way to strike up conversations with people who could help you get a gig.
I'd also like to add to that that you need to be careful of having too-high expectations. Let's face it, it's hard to get good gigs with a band when you're still in your teens - most places that have regular bands are bars and pubs. There is also a lack of community support for the arts, and particularly for creative young people. So you need to make your own opportunities, as I mentioned above.
You also need to know how to make a negative into a positive. My first band were together for years and we played for people maybe five times. We were so focused on getting cover gigs that we didn't really stop to take a different approach. What we should have done is accepted that there are not enough gigs for people our age, and therefore we should commit our time and energy to becoming technically proficient musicians and to working hard at writing good original music together.
- Play at your high school. Organise a lunch time concert, for example, or an end-of-year shindig for your class. Best if you can use the schools gym or auditorium. Make it a charity or fundraising event to sweeten the deal with those in charge at the school.
- Enter competitions like a Battle Of The Bands. If there is none, but you know at least four or five bands around the town, see if you can work together to organise your own competition. This is also something that the school could help with, and could also be presented as a fundraising opportunity.
- Again, if you know a few bands, see if you can work together with a youth or community services group to put together a concert aimed at underage people.
- If you know a friend with a big backyard or garage, organise a party (but do it responsibly) and do a short set for your friends. This is a great way to get practice in, impress the opposite sex, and get some experience in a live situation. It also makes for an awesome Saturday afternoon/evening with friends.
- Record a simple demo, get it into the hands of your friends, and especially get it on the internet. Make accounts on social networking sites to start gathering a fan base beyond the people you personally know.
- Depending on your style, you could set up anywhere (a park, skatepark, outside a mall, on the street) with acoustic instruments and bang a few tunes out and see if people notice you. It's a good way to strike up conversations with people who could help you get a gig.
I'd also like to add to that that you need to be careful of having too-high expectations. Let's face it, it's hard to get good gigs with a band when you're still in your teens - most places that have regular bands are bars and pubs. There is also a lack of community support for the arts, and particularly for creative young people. So you need to make your own opportunities, as I mentioned above.
You also need to know how to make a negative into a positive. My first band were together for years and we played for people maybe five times. We were so focused on getting cover gigs that we didn't really stop to take a different approach. What we should have done is accepted that there are not enough gigs for people our age, and therefore we should commit our time and energy to becoming technically proficient musicians and to working hard at writing good original music together.
How many friends would come see you? If they're too young to drink alcohol legally in your country, you might have better luck with coffeehouses or pizza places etc. I've played in bars with 17-year-old singers a few times, but drinking age here is 18.
I agree that competitions, school events and friends' parties are also good options. Open mics might be an option too, even if they are in bars. Playing a few shows a year should be realistic.
I agree that competitions, school events and friends' parties are also good options. Open mics might be an option too, even if they are in bars. Playing a few shows a year should be realistic.
Its very easy to get gigs... getting people to those shows is more important. Most venues are pay to play meaning you have to sell 25 tickets before you even get paid. if you dont sell those tickets your band owes the venue money. Start by making a list of all the venues in your area.
LOL!!! Yeah, because that's totally feasible for a high school band with no gigs...
1)Work on your "professional" attitude and presentation now.
2)Be patient.
3)When you have enough high quality songs/recordings-make "professional" videos.
4)Exploit all the technology available to get your name out there.
Remember,if you don't present yourself in a serious manner,who will take you seriously.
5)Most of all,have fun while pursuing your passion!
2)Be patient.
3)When you have enough high quality songs/recordings-make "professional" videos.
4)Exploit all the technology available to get your name out there.
Remember,if you don't present yourself in a serious manner,who will take you seriously.
5)Most of all,have fun while pursuing your passion!
Networking, networking, networking. It's all about who you know. If you don't know anybody who can help you get a gig (other bands, promoters or otherwise) go to show and meet these people.
And then go from there. Incorporate the other tips from above, of course. Great stuff in this thread for starting out.
And then go from there. Incorporate the other tips from above, of course. Great stuff in this thread for starting out.
wait till your legal age! I had the same problem when I was in highschool. The band couldn't find anything but houseparties. Bars won't take you cause your a liability. when you turn 19 (or whatever legal age is where your from) then you'll be able to get gigs.
We ran into a situation last year where the lead guitarist for a band that was scheduled to perform with us wasn't allowed in the venue. He was either 16 or 17, and nobody bothered to tell anyone. It always irks me when I run into bands with members under the age of 18 that don't disclose that info up front. Why would you think you could perform at a venue that wouldn't let you in the door on a typical night?
That said, we have a steady gig at a really nice all ages venue, so there are gigs out there for young bands. You just have to do some research to find them.
