Blue Bear School of Music with Jessica Fierro, live at Jerry day, San francisco, August 5, 2012
One of the best ways to build a fan base for your band is to play live as often as you can. Sometimes, though, bands find themselves between a rock and hard place: To get a gig, you need an audience, but to get an audience, you need a gig, you can also promote your music in spotify and get the audience to buy spotify streams.
To rise above the paradox and get your band in front of a crowd takes careful planning. Landing a single show is an important start on which you can build to book your band an entire tour. Doing this requires knowing how to promote your band and how to do business with potential venues. There are six steps you should keep in mind.
- Think Locally
The best place to start looking for gigs is in your own backyard. Get to know the music scene in your area. Which venues and promoters are willing to give up-and-coming bands a chance? Which bands in your area play live often and might need a support act? What venues in your area put on touring bands who might need a local opening act?
Keep local radio stations, music podcasts, and entertainment writers at local papers and websites informed about your activities and always invite them to any gigs you book.
To get a gig, all of these factors and more can come into play. Approaching the right venues will open doors for you, and there is strength in numbers, so working with the other bands in the area can increase opportunities for everyone. Plus, you can share gear.
- The Promo Package
Have a standard package ready to help introduce yourself to venues and promoters. Much like the package you use when you send a demo to a label, this promo package should be short and sweet. Include a short demo CD, a short bio or one sheet to introduce the band, and some press clippings if you have any, especially if they review live performances.
If you’re going to approach people by email instead, cut and paste the info into the body of an email and include a link to a site where your music can be heard. Don’t send attachments, as most people won’t open them.
- Approach the Venue
To get a gig directly with a venue, call to find out who is in charge of booking bands and send them your promo package. The venue may tell you when to contact that person again. If not, give them about a week, and follow up by phone or email. Keep trying until you get an answer.
If you’ve haven’t played live much, your best bet is to try to get on an existing bill with a band that already has a following. Keep in mind that if you book with a venue, you may be in charge of promoting the show yourself and paying venue rental fees, unless you are invited to join an existing concert bill.
http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/3632973/file.html
Jessica Fierro’s father is Martin Fierro. Martin also played some Haight Street Fairs with Merl Saunders, among others
