Who’s Booking Into 2026?

[brianrost]

I got a call from the BL of a blues band I’m in with a list of dates for one venue that runs all the way to December 2026. I expect to be hearing back from him soon about a couple of other venues where we have been in rotation for a long time.

Saturday I’m playing with another blues band at a venue where we get 4 or 5 dates every year, we have one more this year right after Thanksgiving. I’m expecting the BL to be nailing down dates with the manager soon.

Who else is filling out their 2026 calendars six months early?

 

[silky smoove]

I’m booking through 2026 and have a few odd dates in 2027 already confirmed.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I’ve got 5 private events on the books for 2026 already with another date on hold. These agency gigs are usually solid. The clients, OTOH, well, you never know.

 

[ardgedee]

I can easily imagine the really big lavish wedding receptions are currently booking bands for 2027. Some of them have to be planned years in advance because that's how long the wait lists for the desirable churches and venues are.

 

[Hot Rats]

I've got 12 dates in 2026 so far..

 

[57pbass]

We thankfully have several dates booked in 2026.

 

[Pacman]

I've got a bunch of dates for 2026, but I'm considering leaving that band. Ironically, I think if I do, my calendar will end up fuller.

 

[Parzival]

2026, 2027? They got dates, put us down!

(Yes we do have a few into the new year)

 

[fdeck]

Well, I'm booked 1 minute into 2026.

 

[Toddbass65]

We have a bunch already into 2026. Mostly thru May. We will start filling summer of 2026 in the fall.

 

[mapleglo]

Five dates booked in 2026 through April. The winter is the big season here in Phoenix as lots of people leave for the summer.

 

[H K]

Got one booked for next summer!

TBH booking 6+ months in advance only has upsides, imo. Especially if you're in a band with busy people. One of my bands barely got anything booked this summer because the dates we were offered all conflicted with members' other gigs/plans.

It's great to have a group that can take gigs on short notice, but it's just not feasible for alot of people.

Good on ya for planning ahead!

 

[jimmydean]

Dates booked for 2026 ..........glad it's not my job .

 

[brianrost]

The winter is the big season here in Phoenix as lots of people leave for the summer.

Makes sense, the exact opposite is true in New England where from New Years until the spring, gig opportunities are fewer. The peak season here is between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Lots of concerts in the park, weddings, parties, etc.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

i got a call for '26 the other day. Hopefully the [deleted] doesn't hit the fan and the state of the world is such that we can still play gigs.

 

[kia_forte]

I have 4 dates booked for 2026 including NY Day - 2 Pig Roasts and a Fundraiser.

 

[WilbursaurusRex]

None for 2026…and none for the rest of 2025 either. We’ve had a hard time booking more than once or twice a year, but we are an originals group. Are y’all originals or covers?

 

[Hot Rats]

None for 2026…and none for the rest of 2025 either. We’ve had a hard time booking more than once or twice a year, but we are an originals group. Are y’all originals or covers?

The 12 gigs for next year are for an original's blues trio. We do some covers of old blues, but the majority is original tunes.

 

[InhumanResource]

I got a call from the BL of a blues band I’m in with a list of dates for one venue that runs all the way to December 2026. I expect to be hearing back from him soon about a couple of other venues where we have been in rotation for a long time.

Saturday I’m playing with another blues band at a venue where we get 4 or 5 dates every year, we have one more this year right after Thanksgiving. I’m expecting the BL to be nailing down dates with the manager soon.

Who else is filling out their 2026 calendars six months early?

We’re booked through the rest of this year but have a couple of dates in 26 so far. They’ll probably start coming in the next couple of months.

Edit: just booked one for next August lol

 

[groovepump]

We really don't look for bookings. In our small area, the larger venues seek us to get any dates we're available. Even when we decline, they pester us until we cave-in. We all have full-time jobs, but we end up with weekends booked solid from April /May through November, and these venues are calling us NOW for next year. It's a "good" problem I suppose, but it also becomes overwhelming. I wanna back-off, take fewer gigs, and party a bit myself over the summer. I think I may be burning-out a bit with the music thing. It's never-ending. I'm tired.