Promoting "competing" bands

[Basshappi]

There are more than enough factors working against local live music scenes. Bands/musicians working against each other through some misguided sense of "competition" just adds more fuel to the fire.

 

[Paulabass]

As soon as there are 'Competing bands', the music is lost and the business takes over.
The business of music is important, but cut throat competition helps no one.
Make YOUR act better, because the cream always rises to the top.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Our singer recently put up a FB post along the lines of “Rare night off. Went to {venue} to check out {not my band}. What a great show. Definitely check them out if you get a chance.” With a photo and link to their page.

Now our guitarist had a bit of a rant about promoting the “opposition”. This is in small-town cover-band land, where we’re all competing for a dwindling number of venues, but I’m on the side of our singer. Promoting live music on the whole is good for everyone. More people checking out bands at venues, means more venues putting on bands, means more gigs for everyone. It’s the flip side of Dad-Bands playing rubbish blues for free is dragging down the image for everyone.

Discuss……

If your band is decent and you want to make fans out of there fans it’s the thing to do. If you come off as unsupportive of them you’ll have a hard time getting their fans to check you guys out.

 

[Skybone]

Think of it not as supporting a "competing band", but more like "supporting your local music scene", which can only be good for your band.

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you don't go to see others, you can't exactly ask them to come see you. I'm not a big nightlife guy, but if someone is playing local, I try to drop in. You always can talk with whoever there books bands about gigs for you. When they see support for live music it helps.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I'm late to the game here, but I whole heatedly agree with the OP.

In my current band I was blown away not too long ago by something that they did, and I am certain that their integrity and supportive attitude is a big part of their success. We did a private showcase for a couple who was considering us for their wedding. In the discussion after we played, they told us they were considering the band that is our biggest competition (if you want to call it that). The couple said they didn't want to work with them because they wouldn't do something we said we would. My bandleader responded with concern, saying, "You must have misunderstood them. They'll do the same thing we just said we would. We know them, and all work the same way."

That blew me away. Their sincerity I guess blew the couple away also, cuz we got the gig.

I still struggle a bit in other areas of my life with this "competition" thing in music and business, but I'm learning that the people who do best are the people without any fear. My wife has her own very niche business (she's a homebirth midwife), and she regularly, with wide open arms and lots of love, helps women out who are aspiring to do the same. She has no fear of them taking business away from her, and her business just keeps on growing.

I really believe the happier we are for others success, and the more supportive we are - the more success we attract into our own lives. Though I admit that it's sometime hard to practice.

 

[Stumbo]

I'm late to the game here, but I whole heatedly agree with the OP.

In my current band I was blown away not too long ago by something that they did, and I am certain that their integrity and supportive attitude is a big part of their success. We did a private showcase for a couple who was considering us for their wedding. In the discussion after we played, they told us they were considering the band that is our biggest competition (if you want to call it that). The couple said they didn't want to work with them because they wouldn't do something we said we would. My bandleader responded with concern, saying, "You must have misunderstood them. They'll do the same thing we just said we would. We know them, and all work the same way."

That blew me away. Their sincerity I guess blew the couple away also, cuz we got the gig.

I still struggle a bit in other areas of my life with this "competition" thing in music and business, but I'm learning that the people who do best are the people without any fear. My wife has her own very niche business (she's a homebirth midwife), and she regularly, with wide open arms and lots of love, helps women out who are aspiring to do the same. She has no fear of them taking business away from her, and her business just keeps on growing.

I really believe the happier we are for others success, and the more supportive we are - the more success we attract into our own lives. Though I admit that it's sometime hard to practice.

It's karma. Spread joy and love. What good does it do your wife not to? For her well being and yours.

Jimi Hendrix said Terry Kath was a better guitar than himself. He had no fear, only clarity.

When Pete Townsend and Eric Clapton first heard Jimi, they felt fear; they weren't the best anymore. No clarity. They were the best they could be, no more no less.