How do I best support small bands?

[JtSD619]

 

[pcake]

first, go to their shows. next, spread the word. to me, getting 25 people to go see the band regularly is more important than buying a CD or tshirt - but do that, too.

 

[buldog5151bass]

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.

Don't agree. Unless the music is paying their mortgage, money is not the reason most of us are doing this. Support live music, so they (and everyone else) can continue to play. Hopefully that's what you want, both as a musician, and a music lover.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Attend gigs. First and foremost.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Don't agree. Unless the music is paying their mortgage, money is not the reason most of us are doing this. Support live music, so they (and everyone else) can continue to play. Hopefully that's what you want, both as a musician, and a music lover.

My comment is partly tongue in cheek. Of course musicians want adoring fans screaming and yelling and throwing their underwear onto the stage. But they'll be perfectly happy Thank You Very Much if you send them a check. Trust me on that one!

 

[interp]

Put them up on beer crates so people can see them better.

 

[rtslinger]

Go to their shows and buy their merch.

 

[LowActionHero]

Going to their shows, but probably more effective would be wearing their shirt. Spreading the word and all.

 

[Dr_Benway]

small donations

 

[micguy]

Let them crash on your couch?

 

[StayLow]

Can't reply to the poll, because it totally depends on who you're buying that stuff from. If it's directly from the band, obviously MP3's have the highest profit margin.

Attending shows can be a big help, and for fave bands I like to just hand them cash as I may already have the merch I'm willing to wear (most band garb is gaudy) or don't want more (you actually can have too many t-shirts).

Some band members give lessons when they tour, and the Meet & Greets are extremely profitable for them.

Bands have far more revenue streams and cost savings than ever before, and more bands can make a living without airplay/tv than ever before, but it's a bit sad if they make more selling trinkets than music/performances. So it goes.

 

[NeonVomit]

First of all, go to their shows.

If not possible, buy their merch direct from them (CDs count as merch these days). Shares on social media.

That's all that helps.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Like others said, go to their shows. Not only is that a direct help, it’s also an indirect help by way of influencing others to do the same. People are just more likely to go in and check out the band if they see a crowd. Frankly, like it or not drawing a crowd is more important to a band’s success than anything, even being an actual good band; you may wonder how so many crappy bands have become successful over the years, and I think that before any other factor it was because by hook or by crook they drew crowds. Attendance numbers and ticket/cover charge/drink sales don’t lie.

Also, definitely buy a round of drinks if you’re so inclined, but ask first. I don’t think I’m alone among non-drinkers in very much appreciating the offer of a drink but feeling put on the spot if you buy it first before I can decline.

 

[MCS4]

First come to the shows, and any music or merch that you can afford after that is great.

We end up with slightly more money in our pocket from an mp3 sale versus CD sales, but we sell far more CDs at shows than we sell mp3s online, so we don't much care which someone prefers. Margins on physical merch vary widely depending on the item, how diligent the band (or vendor) is at scoping out deals from suppliers, and who the band might have to split it with (vendor/label/etc.).

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Buy their signature Fender basses.

 

[BassGeekJack]

All of the above, really. Rarely can one of those alone offset the cost of being a touring original band with recordings. But I voted for going to concerts, because that's really the best way to spread the word, and the word leads to all these other things.

 

[friskinator]

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.

Are frat parties for original bands still a thing? One of my previous cover bands was an 80s rock tribute. We were doing them for awhile, but the work dried up. According to our agent, the frats were pivoting to DJs. This was fairly recently - 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[Jimmy4string]

Where is the sex in the bathroom option?!
CARROTS I SAY!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Are frat parties for original bands still a thing? One of my previous cover bands was an 80s rock tribute. We were doing them for awhile, but the work dried up. According to our agent, the frats were pivoting to DJs. This was fairly recently - 3 or 4 years ago.

This was before Dave Matthews was Dave Matthews, so it was awhile ago. Probably all hip hop now.

 

[friskinator]

This was before Dave Matthews was Dave Matthews, so it was awhile ago. Probably all hip hop now.

Of course. I doubt he's currently doing them I was just wondering if frat parties were still an option for original bands. My original band in the 90s did them fairly regularly. Different times, for sure.