Live performances are essential to progress your music career. Gigs are a great way to spread word about your music and grow a loyal fan base. But how do you book gigs?
Below are four ways to help you land your next gig:
1. Choose a gig venue
Pick a venue that suits your music genre and target audience. There are some venues that are devoted to particular music genres while others target specific demographics like university students or middle-age crowd. For instance, if your music caters to teens, then you would have to look for a venue that doesn’t have age restrictions. In the same way, a jazz band wouldn’t fit in a club that hosts only rock bands. Therefore, go through the venues’ websites and look at past acts to determine whether you fit in.
2. Find a promoter
You have identified suitable venues for your gig. To get yourself booked, you will have to undertake further research. Find out if the venues have talent buyers, in-house promoters or independent promoters for booking bands and artists.
Promoters are individuals who buy talent. They either work independently or in partnership with booking agents to book musicians. Usually smaller clubs rely on in-house promoters. The owner of the club usually takes the responsibility for booking talent. On the other hand, large clubs seek outside promoters who usually just hire the venue and its facilities for every show.
Find contact details of the people in charge of booking shows and send them your music demo and press kit. Call the venue to get this information. Further, look up the venues’ pitching guidelines before you pitch your music to promoters.
3. Send out your demo and electronic press kits to gig venues
Venues and promoters would want to listen to your music before booking you. Make a demo of your music and send it along with an electronic press kit. The press kit can be as brief or as elaborate as you like. However it should include some basic information such as artist/band bio, contact information and a set list. Include your influences, experiences and brief information about the kind of music you make to attract promoters’ attention. Also include details of the venues you have played before. Additionally, include posters or photos in your electronic press kit. Draft a professional email with a strong subject line. Follow the below tips to draft a good pitch email:
- Introduce your band. Describe the kind of music you play. Draw comparisons with other similar bands to give the promoters a sense of your music style.
- Mention how you would fit in with the venue.
- Provide contact details and links to all social media accounts.
- Mention your target demographics.
- Provide a promotional plan for your gig.
Package all the information in a clear manner before you send it out to venues and promoters.
4. Follow up with gig venues
Follow up with promoters or gig venues if you have not heard from them. Send an email or make a phone call to find out their decision. If you receive a positive response, negotiate a contract. If they reject your pitch, don’t hesitate to ask them why. Accept rejection graciously and take their advice constructively. Make sure your next pitch is good enough to land you a gig.
As independent musicians, getting a gig may seem like a daunting task. However, the rewards of live performances are many. Therefore, follow the above steps to get more gigs.
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Manasa Boggaram is a writer and has a strong passion for music, positive news and constructive journalism. When she is not researching story ideas or writing blog posts, she spends her time reading books, discovering new music and eating lots of street food.
