low turn-out for gig

[Nephilymbass]

That was a long time ago. There is little, or no overlap, between cover bands and original bands where I come from. Maybe things are different in other markets though.

We always play at least one cover. Sometimes two or three. I've done acoustic sets that were all covers with my originals band.

 

[Nephilymbass]

What demographic of drunk women likes guitar based music primarily in 2017 though?

In LA at least that demo is pretty heavily split. Most young women prefer dance club style music over what you'd hear in rock clubs.

Maybe it's different in the rest of the world but here "drunk women" don't gravitate towards rock clubs as a rule.

There are exceptions in the furthest suburbs but even then the bar/cover band shows will have women in their late 30s early 40s.

Not trying to be too negative but rock music as a whole seems to be suffering from a lapse in popularity. This is just a symptom of the overall problem.

I think there's plenty of women into rock music they just tend to not be into metal or heavy stuff that has a lot of screaming. Our new album has a lot less screaming than our last and I've been seeing the ladies coming out again. Now if youre going to play really heavy stuff yeah it's going to be a sausage party.

Here's a pic from our last show. We'll even let them come onstage on a slow night.

 

[biguglyman]

Buddy of mine used to play in a very popular local bar band. They did a whole 70's "disco" set. Man, you should have seen the drunk women go for THAT poopie! Packed the house!!!

 

[GBBSbassist]

I was pissed after the show. Wrote a long rant about how people in my town talk about there's nothing to do but all they ever do is sit at home and watch TV. It is what it is. We have a light week with just practice this weekend then playing two gigs the following weekend hoping the turnouts will be better.

That seems a bit childish to me, but whatever floats your boat. Instead of focusing on people simply not being there, focus on maybe why people aren't there.

What's special about your band compared to other rock bands?

Maybe I'm just more critical of live music than most, but I've seen a lot of bands of many different styles in the Chicagoland area at various clubs/bars/venues, and the majority of them are not worth the door price imho, but I can guarantee you those bands don't see it that way.

 

[Nephilymbass]

That seems a bit childish to me, but whatever floats your boat. Instead of focusing on people simply not being there, focus on maybe why people aren't there.

What's special about your band compared to other rock bands?

Maybe I'm just more critical of live music than most, but I've seen a lot of bands of many different styles in the Chicagoland area at various clubs/bars/venues, and the majority of them are not worth the door price imho, but I can guarantee you those bands don't see it that way.

I get where you're coming from. I've seen many terrible bands over the years. We usually do pretty good. And yes I'm spoiled by typically having better turnouts especially in my hometown. It's not like we didn't have a crowd at all, just have higher expectations for shows in my hometown because of how they normally are.

 

[mike o]

The best way to promote your band is with good music.

Stop trying to figure out "how" to get people to your shows and start thinking "why" someone would come to your show.

Marketing is all about thinking like the customer, not like the business.

Very good advice!

 

[aborgman]

I saw Tosin's OG band Reflux play to like 13 people at the Knitting Factory in LA in 2004. Reflux tour schedule | Comments | Lambgoat. That was despite the fact that they were signed, and that all three instrumentalists in that band were shagging AMAZING.

Quality doesn't really matter.

Largely correct.

I once saw Eddie Money playing in a bar to ~10 people... of which 5 or 6 were sitting at the bar not even paying attention to the band.

 

[mstillman]

In my view, as long as a band passes the "acceptable" musical threshold, having lots of friends who follow the band (and drink) drastically trumps any 'supra-threshold' musical ability.

As musicians, we care about sounding our best and delivering a great performance.

Venue owners care about $$ made, not hosting a great performance.

Average bands with good followings get more gigs than more talented bands that don't help venues sell lots of booze.

Those are generalities, for sure, but based on my experience and reading others' posts over time.

I've been in both situations.