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Sponsorships and/or co-promoting events

Bullitt5135

Bullitt5135

Nov 16, 2010
2,058
4,162
SE Michigan
#1
I'm curious if any of you have partnered with other local businesses or venues to co-promote live music events? I'm trying to think outside the box. The scene for live music where I live is pretty limited and stale. There are a couple of fun music venues in town for local bands, but the bands are playing for the tip jar (or sometimes a $5 cover or small fraction of bar receipts). A lot of places that once had live bands gave up on it long ago.

I want to create a new buzz for live music in my town and get more people involved. My idea is to partner with, say, a local brewery, winery, food truck, etc., to produce special events at unconventional venues. Wondering if anyone has seen some version of that concept?
 
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#2
Bullitt5135 said:
I'm curious if any of you have partnered with other local businesses or venues to co-promote live music events? I'm trying to think outside the box. The scene for live music where I live is pretty limited and stale. There are a couple of fun music venues in town for local bands, but the bands are playing for the tip jar (or sometimes a $5 cover or small fraction of bar receipts). A lot of places that once had live bands gave up on it long ago.

I want to create a new buzz for live music in my town and get more people involved. My idea is to partner with, say, a local brewery, winery, food truck, etc., to produce special events at unconventional venues. Wondering if anyone has seen some version of that concept?
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What is the age group/demographic that is inclined to go out to local venues to see live music? I've heard that younger people are increasingly disinterested in such entertainment and drinking in general. Who knew that the kids would be so boring? They've all turned into my parents.
 
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#4
I'm thinking the 25-40 demographic. That's the age of people I see frequenting the local microbrewery. The brewery is too small to host a rock band, but they do jazz on their small patio. There is a restaurant/event venue near by that does weekend jazz brunch. I've been to a couple of fundraiser galas there when they've had a full band. I'm seeing an opportunity.

Typically it's a hard sell to convince a venue like that to give live rock & roll a chance. Getting the brewery involved with a special promotional event could attract a new audience. Maybe include a local charity as well.

Ultimately, I am trying to bust out of the stale bar band scene and get into bigger special event gigs.
 
#5
Bullitt5135 said:
I'm curious if any of you have partnered with other local businesses or venues to co-promote live music events? I'm trying to think outside the box. The scene for live music where I live is pretty limited and stale. There are a couple of fun music venues in town for local bands, but the bands are playing for the tip jar (or sometimes a $5 cover or small fraction of bar receipts). A lot of places that once had live bands gave up on it long ago.

I want to create a new buzz for live music in my town and get more people involved. My idea is to partner with, say, a local brewery, winery, food truck, etc., to produce special events at unconventional venues. Wondering if anyone has seen some version of that concept?
Click to expand...
I've not personally organized or worked with organizers to plan an event, but I think this is one heck of an idea.
 
#7
Way back in the 80s.. We had sponsorships with Budweiser and Wranglers.
Besides some plum gigs, the Wranglers deal scored us free stage suits!
My avatar picture is me in my free Wranglers duds. And the show I'm playing at was a Bud sponsored show.
No idea if they work with local bands anymore.
 
#8
Depends how the co sponsorship deal actually works...
I've proposed a min fee guarantee with the option they pay full fee if a success.
(the full fee is generally higher than most venues pay)
And the carrot is that we get invited to bid for their bigger events during the summer.

I wouldn't do that for a start up with no track record though
 
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#9
While i have only a little direct experience here, there are definitely some places that have i've done recurring gigs where you wouldn't had really expected to perform there, as well as seeing other groups do it:

-Dance classes or conventions. I've done a couple events centered around swing dancing in dance studios and at a convention.

-Beer/wine shops. Some have had tastings on a weekly/biweekly basis where they want a band performing, usually more quiet stuff like jazz/acoustic.

-Museums. Our local art museum does recurring events that feature live music, where they serve food/drinks from the museum cafe. I've also performed at our Science Museum for a Christmas event. It can also get you opportunities when someone books a part of the museum for a private event.

-Art Galleries or partnering with a specific artist. Similar to above, music to compliment an art showing.

-Arts/Craft/Food/Drink festivals. Festival season in my city has tons of opportunities for bands to perform at.

-Legal Cannabis related businesses. Some of the local homegrow/gardening shops and dispensaries will occasionally have events where they want live music.

Food for thought, or at the very least some ideas for the types of business/organizations you could approach to organize an event or simply score a gig.
 
#11
I wouldn't be interested in Partnering any event where the music would not be a big sell at the event.
We have a local county beer festival which attracts huge crowds but the organisers are not interested in elevating the music side over and above their prime sell...which is selling and trying beer.
Its attracts from far and wide...
and although I'd love to work it up...that would add big costs and frankly, they don't see the need.
Their thing works..

Most other events of this type feature music..but to run a weekend of music, staging, kit etc..you've probably added $15k to your bill.
Sometimes..you can get too big on the costs and payoff.
 

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