How To Get Band Gigs and Shows for your Band

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How to Get Gigs

How to Get Band Gigs For your Band, Local Band or Garage Band?

How To Get Band Gigs and shows for your local band? Well, its not easy to get out of the starting gate and get a gig or show, but with a little hard work your garage band, local band, live music, or indie music act can get booked. When your rock band has a set together, quality song material, and are playing well it is now time to take the next step and book gigs for your band. Check out our tips on Getting Gigs for your band below as well as our three part article if you click this link. Get the band out of the garage and in to a gig.

How to Get Band Gigs and Shows:

Press Kit - The first thing your indie act or garage band should do is get that band press kit together. This press package or media kit will have everything you'll need to get started. Visit our Press Kit Page for tips on getting the package together. Once you have your kit, you'll have a vehicle to start promoting your indie act.
Demo CD/Tape - For most gigs, A club owner or party planner will want to hear what he might book. So record your indie music acts Demo CD or Tape. You may want to buy or rent a portable home recording studio at your local music store. Make sure your songwriting is of professional quality. Songwriting may take time with many rewrites at times. That should give you sufficient quality for most local venues. Once your act is more established, you may want to get into a local reputable recording studio. Many professional indie bands use a computer program called Pro Tools or Cubase for recording. While this is an expensive venture, it may be just as cost effective to learn, than booking studio time.
Open Mic Night - To get some gigs, start off playing open mic nights at local clubs. Not only will this give you a little experience on stage, you'll actually have an audience to play a gig or show for. Also, many open mic nights are hosted by more established local bands or indie acts. You could make valuable contacts for the future with the hosting bands and other local bands playing in the show. Check your local music newspapers or music websites to find this info. This is a great starting point to play gigs and shows in your area.
Offer to Open for Free - The reality is that your not going to get paid when you first start out. Your not in it for the money anyway right, your there for the music. Offer to be an opening band for free for a local band you know or maybe met at an open mic night. Maybe even e-mail a more established indie band in the area, and play an opening gig for them. Many indie bands love opening acts, because you don't have to pay them much, and they don't have to play as long of a show. This is the time to start promoting your garage band too. Hand out business cards and Press Kits to any clubs you play. Make sure to follow up with the venue with a call or e-mail to make sure they get back to you. Be persistent, because booking agents are always getting approached by prospective indie bands.
Solicit your Press Kit - Now that you've played gigs at your open mic nights, you want to start calling clubs and soliciting your Press Kit and Demo. Its a good idea to start going to clubs that play your style of music and talk with the booker for the club. Leave a Press Kit with your Demo CD and give him a day or two to listen to it. Now call back and get some feedback. Ask for the gig or show for your band. Again, Be persistent.
Approach Town Fairs, County Festivals, or City Free Concert Venues Another way to get exposure is to gig for a large audience at a Local Fair or Festival. Most of these gigs you would play for free to get exposure, but some do pay once you get a following. Do some research on the internet etc, to see what local agencies take care of bookings for your festival or fair. Again, give out your local band business cards at the show. This is good promotion in case someone may want to book your indie music act in the future.
Booking Agents - Most Booking Agents take a percentage of the money that you get for a gig, but they can be a valuable resource for getting some better paying gigs. Do alot of research and be sure they are reputable. Search your local yellow pages. A lot of booking agents only take well known acts, so shop around and see if they will deal with you. Stop by in person and take your Demo and Press Kit. Check out the Better Business Bureau and make sure they are reputable.
Sound Technician - As your indie rock band becomes more established, you may need the services of a sound guy for your gigs. Many venues have their own PA system and will charge you for the services of the sound guy. Find this out ahead of time. If the venue does not have a PA system, you will have to bring one, and some one will have to run it. Just be aware that running sound can be expensive. Most sound technicians charge a good bit to bring the equipment and run sound. A good sound guy can mean the difference between a good and bad gig. So make sure your sound guys sets up the way that your band wants to sound.
Website Promotion - Promote your local band over the internet. If you don't have a website for your local band or garage band, Get One. They are a valuable tool for indie promotion in today's internet world. Click Band Website Design to see our band website packages. Once you have your web address, start submitting your website URL to local band listing websites. Do a search on your city and see what sites list local bands and show dates. For Example, try searching: (Band Listings Pittsburgh, or Concert Calendar New York). Email the site and ask to have your web link added. Also, e-mail any concert calendars and have your band gigs and shows listed. You would be surprised how many you'll find in your area. Also email your local clubs with your website and see if they would like a press kit.
If you already have a website designed for your band and need Affordable Server Space to host your bands website just click the IPowerWeb link just below. We use their service for all our sites and have been completely satisfied with their service. I think you'll find there prices to be some of the best around, especially for the band on a budget.

E-mail your local Newspapers - Have your show dates added to local newspaper concert listings. Most papers will list your gigs for free. Contact any free papers that list band show dates. Also, See if they will do an article on your garage band or review one of your gigs or your CD.
Band Manager - Look into having a band manager who will help out with promotion an help book you indie act. Has someone that you have known has taken an interest in your garage band or career? See if they would help book your indie band for free or a fee designated by you. Watch out for people that get to meddlesome in your band and try to control your band goals. Negotiate for fees charged for such services.
Battle of the Bands - Send your demo and press kit to any local battle of the band competitions. Most competitions locate up and coming talent in the area for their Battle of the Bands. The great thing about these competitions is that you can network with the promoters, other bands involved, and get exposure. Many of the competitions or gigs are promoted on the radio and through other means. The winner usually gets a decent prize like studio time or free promotion,. Have your business cards ready at every portion of the competition.

Listed above are some tips to get your bands some local gigs or shows in your area. With a little persistence and the right presentation your act will most likely have success in securing some meaningful gigs. Songwriting for your indie music act is quite important so make sure your songs are of professional quality. Good Luck, and Keep Networking.

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Send mail to mediawebsource@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright: 2004 Media Web Source Last modified: May 06, 2008

Send mail to mediawebsource@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright: 2004 Media Web Source
Last modified: May 06, 2008