How do you manage to schedule gigs?

[shoulderpet]

Hi
Am wondering how people here manage there gigging schedule with them and there bandmates.

I am in a band and we have done a couple of gigs but it's turning into a minor nightmare trying to agree dates that everyone is available, half of this month is booked up as holiday, most of August also booked up as holiday.

We have already turned down a few gigs in the past couple of months due to people being away, am wondering how other bands manage it this time of year when everyone is booking there holidays.

Thanks

 

[Michedelic]

The word you’re looking for is “their”.

It gets done by being in a band with committed members. That is, a band that’s not a hobby thing, or a get together every so often, kick back, jam on some tunes, and hope to play sometime at the local strip mall bar activity. A band with specific goals, and everybody involved being on the same page with what is to be accomplished.

I’m not bashing on people having lives and so on, that’s not the point. A band should not be a cult or anything like that, but at the same time, sooner than later, there should be a discussion about level of involvement, and how that level might impact the other people in each band member’s life(usually family or S.O.) so that there are no surprises, and then a reasonable schedule can be drawn up.

 

[pepj]

People either want to do it or they don't.
Work with adults who can run a diary.
Or plan B is 'band holiday' time..which is also a bit ridiculous, imv or run with Subs.

 

[Runnerman]

We have a shared google calendar for the band. All gig dates/times/addresses are put on there. Members also put on their scheduled vacations/blackout dates as far ahead as possible. Works very well.

 

[Bassdirty]

We have a shared google calendar for the band. All gig dates/times/addresses are put on there. Members also put on their scheduled vacations/blackout dates as far ahead as possible. Works very well.

^^ This is the how people "manage to schedule gigs".



T$

 

[Jefenator]

I find the farther ahead people book, the easier it is to avoid that dog's breakfast of conflicting schedules.
It also helps to have someone who is assertive about re-asking those stragglers who take longer to respond.
Also, a little flexibility with subs can go a long way.
The shared calendar thing never worked that well for me but YMMV. (I work with about 2 dozen different groups give or take; can't sync with all of them. I also have trust issues with certain individuals, so I prefer to keep my itinerary private. If someone calls with something legit, I'll respond ASAP; I'm not that guy who always keeps everyone hanging till the next day.)

 

[pepj]

Whatsapp group and people manage their own diaries. Helps if people understand the purpose of messaging and reply within the hr.
You can't tender for a gig and keep the booker on hold so it helps if you say when you will confirm. Of course, they don't want hear you not confirming.

 

[JRA]

how other bands manage it this time of year when everyone is booking their holidays.

my main band is 11 years old --- we have some steady/recurrent gigs/venues, but everyone is busy with holiday/vacations in the summer (at different times, of course!) --- we just accept that gigs will be sparse, if at all, when so many bandmates are "out."

we use a common calendar to prevent misunderstandings/conflicts/disappointments. the calendar and the 'acceptance' both work for us.

 

[gln1955]

We don't use a shared calendar, but we let our BL know our blackout dates as far ahead as possible. We are a four piece, but can run without our second guitarist/singer and have subs available for me and the drummer. We rarely turn down a gig opportunity.

If you have a band member who is never available due to family conflicts, etc., they need to decide if they are really able to be in a working band.

 

[iriegnome]

We have a shared google calendar for the band. All gig dates/times/addresses are put on there. Members also put on their scheduled vacations/blackout dates as far ahead as possible. Works very well.

This right here. I am in 7 bands. 4 main bands all connected to Google calendar shared between each member. Every practice starts with is the calendar updated. Then I plug in my other band and practice dates and I book accordingly. It has only failed me one time in the last 9 years, so as long as everyone is working the calendar, the system works.

 

[MrLenny1]

My band uses Google calendar. It works for us but members
must commit to their open time.

 

[51PRI]

We have a shared google calendar for the band. All gig dates/times/addresses are put on there. Members also put on their scheduled vacations/blackout dates as far ahead as possible. Works very well.

Yeah, that's what you have to have. The person who is booking the band can't contact every member every time a possible gig comes up. However, it needs to start with everyone being on board, on the same page, with how often they want to gig and be willing to utilize the band calendar. A band calendar is vital.

 

[Bringindafunk]

Similar to what others have said, one of my bands uses Time Tree instead of Google Calendar, but it's the same principle. Everyone adds their black out dates and is responsible for maintaining their own schedule. But honestly, if I found myself in a situation where through whatever set of circumstances most every weekend was blacked out by someone, I'd probably pull the rip cord and exit that band. I don't want to gig every weekend, but I also don't want to just gig twice a year.

 

[DuluthDank]

Power trios are the way to go....keep thing as simple as possible.

 

[JazznFunk]

We have a shared google calendar for the band. All gig dates/times/addresses are put on there. Members also put on their scheduled vacations/blackout dates as far ahead as possible. Works very well.

Works very well as long as everyone's priorities are the same. Some people don't feel the need, if the band is not a primary moneymaker, to have every aspect of their lives subject to the whims of the band and tied to a Google calendar, especially if stuff starts showing up that wasn't previously discussed. Ideally, whoever is booking the gig should still do one single check in to say 'this date looks good based on the calendar - please confirm 100% with me'. Tread carefully.

 

[Pocket Dave]

My main band has a band leader (BL).

He keeps a calendar, we update ours based on his.

We show up.

If someone knows in advance they need to block out a date(s), they let the BL know, preferably before he books a gig(s) so he's got plenty of time to get a sub.

IMO, you either want to be in a band or not. Plenty do if the band is working.

Spend your time and effort with them.

 

[djmay]

Gumb

 

[wysiwyg248]

Hi
Am wondering how people here manage there gigging schedule with them and there bandmates.

I am in a band and we have done a couple of gigs but it's turning into a minor nightmare trying to agree dates that everyone is available, half of this month is booked up as holiday, most of August also booked up as holiday.

We have already turned down a few gigs in the past couple of months due to people being away, am wondering how other bands manage it this time of year when everyone is booking there holidays.

Thanks

Planning is the word you are looking for. Get the dates the band is open well in advance and based on the players commitment, let the BL do the scheduling. If you can't honor a date, make sure to have a sub in advance and well prepared to support the gig.

 

[InhumanResource]

Hi
Am wondering how people here manage there gigging schedule with them and there bandmates.

I am in a band and we have done a couple of gigs but it's turning into a minor nightmare trying to agree dates that everyone is available, half of this month is booked up as holiday, most of August also booked up as holiday.

We have already turned down a few gigs in the past couple of months due to people being away, am wondering how other bands manage it this time of year when everyone is booking there holidays.

Thanks

Google calendar, everyone gets access to a band calendar and an unavailable calendar. If you didn’t mark the date as unavailable, you’re expected to show when a gig gets booked.

 

[pepj]

If I have a relatively last minute gig...and by last miniute in this context, I'm talking 4 weeks, I have next to no chance getting 1st choice line-up on a saturday. and just over about 50% chance for friday or sunday.