How To Book A Show!!! -CDBaBY

6/20/2013 09:07:00 AM NowReal Journalism 0 Comments

Have you been practicing for months and now you’re ready to start gigging?

Have you been out of the game for a while, and now you’re thinking about dipping a toe back into the waters of live music?

Well, our friends at Music Think Tank have shared some great advice on booking your first gig (or your first gig in a while). Check it out HERE for full details, but I’ll paraphrase author Simon Tam’s advice below.

1. Find the right venue- Make sure you’re asking to play in venues appropriate for your genre. Oh, and aim small, and here’s why!

2. Book at least 2-4 months in advance- Booking agents are like professional jugglers. They’ve got to dangle hundreds of bands at once, pair them up, and slot them into empty dates on their venue’s calendar. That takes time, so give them plenty of it.

3. Don’t send attachments- Do not send attachments in your booking request email. That’s a sure way to end up in the junk folder, and bookers might delete your message. Instead, leave a clear link to a place online where they can go and hear your music, read your press, etc. For more info on how to email booking agents, check out our article “Why You Don’t Need a Press Kit: How to Book Your Band in the Age of Email.”

4. Read their booking requirements- Don’t forget to check the venue’s website for their booking requirements and suggestions. What nights do they host music? How do they prefer to be contacted? Are there any stage restrictions? Finding this info out first will help you when you’re asking for a gig.

5. 2 paragraphs or less- You’ve got to state your case quickly for why you’ll put on a great show that will draw fans to their venue. Be succinct and honest. Don’t waste their time.

6. Give options- Be flexible, if possible, and provide a date-range or a few specific options for show dates.

7. Ask for help- Other bands can be your biggest allies in the booking game. Ask them for advice and try to build a bill yourself with similar acts. Then pitch that complete night to the booker. You’ll be saving them work!

Are you about to book your first show? Or your first show in a while? Let us know how it goes in the comments section below
By Chris Robley

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