Inspired by the "how many gigs in 2014" thread - How far out does your band book gigs? As 2014 approaches its end, how much do you already have booked for 2015? I've got one group that only gigs once a month, and has a couple of venues that went ahead and put us on a rotation for practically all of next year. They're basically done, and not taking any more bookings other than one or two open weekends in the summer. The other gigs 3-4 times a month, and generally seems to pick them up just a few weeks ahead, a couple months at most. Between the two of them, I'm at 24 gigs for 2015 so far. How does it work for your bands? P.S. I'm assuming "gig" means "paid public performance." But if you want to talk about studio gigs, church services, or other kinds of things, that's fine.
So far I have 3 nights in January and some weddings next summer/fall. Baring unforeseen circumstances I figure I will play at least 75 gigs next year.
My main band has got 27 on the calendar so far. I'm a hired gun for a few other projects and I'd expect to get a bunch from them. I know that one band wants to do at least 10 gigs in 2015 once they release their album, but they/we are still working on recording it.
My country band now has 48 on the books (we book a whole year in advance in one venue, and will get more "special" dates throughout the year). I have maybe another 10 in the first quarter of 2015 with my other projects which don't book so far in advance.
Not really a category for us above, as most of our venues book 3-6 months in advance... its pretty competitive and there have been venue closures during 2013 and 2014 in our neck of the woods, so [most] venues [we play] tend to NOT book a year in advance anymore. We have 23 booked thru May, so far. We are "off" one weekend a month in 2015 as our singer has to work one weekend a month, so other than those open weekends, there's a Feb and Mar weekend open right now, but that's about it.
Wha? Did Arthur finally do what we all thought he was going to do? We've got 8 gigs booked between now and St Patty's day, with more being booked each week. Also have a wedding booked and two "ribfest" performances in the summer - both very well paying gigs. On track to be a busy year for a bunch of weekend warriors.
It is directly because of the fire. My PA has burnt up completely, and I'm not sure if I can handle putting back together a cover band at this time. One sign is that our banner burned, and that seems to be telling us to lay the name for rest once and for all. Another is that I quit about once a month or so, which sort of tells us I didn't want to be doing it. So - the four of us playing together isn't necessarily done forever, but if we do decide to do that, it won't be as that same band. Dirty Lixx died in the fire, and we shall see what rises from the ashes.
My originals band has 6 in the books but nothing till the weather gets warm. We are getting some interest but its slow. Hoping its just the holidays causing the slow down in interest.
Got about 10 dates so far. We've only booking up to April at this point. I try to book at least 2 - 3 months in advance. Starting to look like a good 2015
2015 may be the year I start another band. Mostly I'm focusing on myself and practicing more than ever. I was so concerned about new material, releases, etc. that I did not do this enough before. Hopefully I'll get the ball rolling on a new project with some great dudes, but I have no idea.
Two so far, one on electric bass, one on drums. Upright? That's probably going to be what I play most, but nothing is booked.
I remember you saying the fire got the PA. I don't recall you ever saying anything about quitting or not wanting to do it. From your posts, you always seemed so proud and pleased with that group. I can't believe you'll be out of the game for long, even if it's with a reinvented group. Good luck, man.
I didn't mean to imply that anyone should or would have the whole year already booked up - in my case, that's just how things worked out with the once-a-month group. A couple places put you on six-week rotations, and all of a sudden you're not looking for gigs any more. I'm assuming for most of us these are "so far" numbers (the poll will close 12/31). But the thread is also meant to prompt the ins and outs of people's experiences with booking, particularly how much ahead they work. It's also just that I'm patting myself on the back (not that I've been the one doing the work to get any of these booked, except for two), because in all of 2014 I had 27 gigs and the 2015 numbers are already nearly that.