Live Bands and Gigs

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.

Source: MediaWebSource.com

Airbourne is Joel O’Keeffe, Ryan O’Keeffe, David Roads and Justin Street, Australia’s top rock and roll band. Originally from Warrnambool, they relocated to Melbourne when they started getting serious with their gigs. In 2006 they got their biggest break when they relocated to the US to work with producer Bob Marlette for their “Runnin Wild” album, described as ‘an exercise in sweat soaked rock ’n’ roll that isn’t looking to change the world by abolishing Free Trade, but simply provide the ultimate soundtrack to the biggest all-night rock party there is’. This album is set to be released by Roadrunner Records early this year

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.

Source:� MediaWebSource.com

Counting Crow and Maroon 5, with support from Sara Bareilles and Augustana, plans a co-headlining tour to kick off on July 25, 2008 at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach and will have venues across U.S. and Canada till October.

The Bands will be working with a non-profit environmental organization, Reverb, to educate and engage fans in the promotion of environmental sustainability. As part of their efforts, their trucks will be: using bio-diesel; neutralizing CO2 emissions in their venues; and they will be using recycled and bio-degradable products.

Reverb will create a tour greening website with eco tips and carpooling program.

Vocalist Ryan Tedder is the writer of the song which in the band’s own words, “ explores the personal pain of multiple relationships gone awry and the necessity of moving on.” In the history of Top 40 Radio in North America, never has a song garnered so much, racking up to 10693 spins in one week, a no-brainer breakthrough compared to the previos record of 370 spins. The song was number 1 in 16 countries including Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Sweden, Germany, Austria, and New Zealand. It stayed as number 1 on Billboard’s Pop 100 for a staggering 8 consecutive weeks while an eye-popping 13 weeks in Canada.

After their recent success with the Appetite for Construction Tour, the band Switchfoot has yet again embarked on another tour, Up in Arms Tour. The tour will be a two month long concert tour and will see the band teaming up with philantrophic organization To Write Love on Her Arms. The band has decided to go back to their preferred venue demographic following their mostly arena / small stadium tours for Appetite, the venues being college campuses, small amphitheatres, and small rock clubs. The UK pop rock outfit, Athlete, will be the opening act for every show. Throughout the tour, other rock bands such as Sparky’s Flow, The Myriad, etc. are expected to open for Switchfoot.

U23D’ premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, before going on general release in the US and Canada. It opened in Ireland and the UK in February 22.  

The International Herald Tribune find it eyepopping, giving the audience the experience of being present, as the camera swings around Bono’s face, then rises over and down the 60,000 concert goers.  

The video was shot during U2’s visit to South America and was directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington. It doesn’t compare with a traditional video as you get the feeling of being on stage with the band one moment, and next you are at the back of the stadium, like you’re flying around it. 

Pearl Jam will be going on an East Coast tour with their stay in Manchester, and will include performances from Florida to Massachusetts. The tour will include a two-night stay at Madison Square Garden.  

Summer Tour Dates: 

JUN 11 West Palm, FL Cruzan Amp

JUN 12 Tampa, FL St. Pete Forum

JUN 12-15 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo 

JUN 16 Columbia, SC Colonial Ctr 

JUN 17 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Amp.  

JUN 19 Camden, NJ Susquehanna  

JUN 22 Washington, DC Verizon Center! 

JUN 24-25 New York City, NY MSG Arena  

JUN 27 Hartford, CT Dodge Amp.

JUN 30 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center  

WebMediaSource.com

Without a doubt, the most frequently asked question to the A&R community is�how can I get noticed by the people making the decisions?

I believe your efforts start on a local level with knowing the correct protocol and tactics for maximizing your profile. The age old saying of “Build It And They Will Come” is really the best motto to live by when you are trying to get noticed.

Following are some very helpful hints and suggestions that should be implemented in your plan of attack for building a following and getting noticed.

#1. The Golden Rule: Never ever send your package to a label that doesn’t accept unsolicited material. This applies mostly to major labels and managers.

#2. Your Press Pack: This is your connection to the music community which will be buying your independent piece of product, booking your band, writing or reviewing your material or perhaps just forwarding it to a friend. It should include the following: Your product (CD, cassette, video), properly labeled with all the necessary information�band name, song titles, contact person (crucial). And make it legible.

#3. Your Photo: This is a big one. Make sure you have an up to date picture of you or your band (the spandex and chains from 1986 won’t do any good in today’s market place). The community wants to know what you look like now! This is show biz and image is everything. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, just current. This quite possibly may end up in a local trade paper or magazine or it may be used to promote your image at a local club or on the internet. So please make sure you present yourself in the best light.

#4. Live Shows: Make sure your live show is intact. If you’re not ready to perform live, DON’T!. The millions of people who haven’t seen you yet won’t mind waiting just a little longer for you to get it together. In many cases you only get one shot with people so make it count.

#5. Fanbase: Growing your fan base and keeping them informed of your developments is paramount. This is sometimes the most prominent element that labels and managers look for. How many people are you drawing to your shows? How many people are on your mailing list? How many units have you sold independently? How many T-shirts have you sold? Make sure at every show you have a place where new fans can sign up for your mailing list.

#6. Local Press: Include the local press in your plans. Find out who writes tape, CD and gig reviews and send them your stuff. Invite them to a show and get them excited. They can become great allies for publicity and hype.

#7. Local Resources: Exploit all your local resources , like music stores, high schools, colleges, festivals, holiday events. Build locally, first.

#8. Network!: Seek out those people in your neighborhood who are connected, or who know someone�possibly an attorney, manager, or even your local record store. You’d be surprised just how close you are to a direct contact in the industry.

If you are an artist seeking to grow and spread your music, these suggestions can help you. A career-minded artist never rests on his laurels and must keep reinventing himself. It’s a much better bet to start out small and grow step by step. Your foundation is the key, not the amount of your first advance.

So, to repeat what I said earlier�BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME!

Jamie Talbot is an artist manager and independent A&R consultant. He was formerly a manager at SDM and Big F.D. Entertainment where he worked with such acts as Guns N’ Roses, Goldfinger, Danzig, The Gap Band, The young Dubliners and X. He was also an A&R scout for Roadrunner Records. In addition to being on the TAXI A&R staff he currently writes the “In The Know” column for the A&R Registry.

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.

Source: MediaWebSource.com