How do I best support small bands?

[Jason42]

The recent threads about PRO's, gig costs, things like that have me confused. I've never been a 'pro' musician, but I'd love know which aspect of being a music consumer has the most impact to the bands I love. I'm not talking about U2 or Rush or Coldplay. I'm fairly sure they are doing ok. But what about the bands that may headline at a small club or 3k person theater in a major city and not get mainstream airplay and don't seem to want to come within 4 hours of where I live?
Poll attached, and short of the obvious 'give them money' I'd love suggestions.

 

[4SG]

Go to shows. Buy merch. Feature on social media.
It's hard for an artist to make real money from music sales.
Streaming produces microscopic revenue and cd's are basically promotional items.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Go to the shows, definitely.
The first question the band got asked when they tried to book the gig was "How many people can you bring?"
Every person in the door contributes to the band's success.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The only way a band can make money is by being a draw. Go to the shows - convince others to do the same. Get a group of friends and see some live music on Saturday night, rather than staying home watching Netflicks.

 

[LBS-bass]

Physical objects like merchandise and CDs will put more money in their pockets than streaming. But you should stream them, too. Buy tickets and/or pay the cover charge, but for sure go to the shows. Put something in the tip jar. In truth, it's all of the above. Revenue streams have all but disappeared for artists so if you like someone, do something to support them. We all appreciate it.

 

[Bodeanly]

1. Attend the shows
2. Buy the merch
3. Spread the word

In that order. Or reversed.

 

[MrBKerth]

To echo others:
Go to the show
Buy merch if you dig it
Shout out on Social Media if you think others would dig it


For your local guys that are there because of the love of music
Tip them
buy them a round of beers/shots. They may politely decline, but in my band and others I know its generally appreciated.

 

[fdeck]

Going to shows has a social impact in addition to the band's ticket income. My family attends a lot of live music -- probably our main form of entertainment.

 

[Munjibunga]

Hire them for your private events and pay them well.

 

[bobba66]

Give them your credit cards.

 

[MDBass]

The recent threads about PRO's, gig costs, things like that have me confused. I've never been a 'pro' musician, but I'd love know which aspect of being a music consumer has the most impact to the bands I love. I'm not talking about U2 or Rush or Coldplay. I'm fairly sure they are doing ok. But what about the bands that may headline at a small club or 3k person theater in a major city and not get mainstream airplay and don't seem to want to come within 4 hours of where I live?
Poll attached, and short of the obvious 'give them money' I'd love suggestions.

Merch and door guarantees is where touring bands make their money.

 

[Jack Butler]

Paying your ASCAP dues after the first threatening letter.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Hire them for your private events and pay them well.

A former coworker went the Virginia Tech. They would hire a local guy to play at some of their frat parties. He turned into something a little bigger. You’ve probably heard of him - Dave Matthews.

 

[erigod23]

Go to the shows and buy merch. And for God's sake, pay the cover. Don't ask to be "on the list."

 

[Lobster11]

Something I like to do is buy a bunch of copies of a CD and give them as gifts to bandmates and friends.

 

[higain617]

Buy their vinyl. It was expensive to make.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Just come see us. And remind your friends of the amazing full-bandwidth experience of being in a room with actual human beings playing instruments. Get out of the house! It beats the hell out of Netflix!

 

[brianrost]

Attending the shows is the single most important thing.

It seems every day here at TB brings another post complaining about venues wanting to know about your draw, right? No draw means no gig means no money means trouble brewing.

Besides live music is the best.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

If you feel this much angst, just mail them a check. If they have an electronic donation account, send money that way. It's not hard. You don't have to spend your time. Just send the cash. That's all they really want anyway. Plus you skip the middleman's skim and put more cash in their pocket.

 

[Hypocrite]

See us live, buy our merch, buy our CD's, follow us on Facebook and spread the word. In my band merch sales is pretty much our lifeblood