OK, you have great songs, a great look, and perhaps even some great recordings. Where are the raving fans? If you are going to hit it big in the business, you have got to play live, and that suggests you have got to get gigs.
Gigging is the single right way to get your music heard and to build a fan base. But how does one book gigs? Shockingly , it’s pretty straightforward.
Make a demo tape and make sure its of a good quality recording and that all vocals and instrumentals can be heard clearly.
Label your demo tape, this sounds obvious but managers and agents receive hundresd of demo tapes so make sure your name and band name is printed on your CD as well as its sleeve.
Make a press kit, this is very simple and can be as big as a booklet or just a single sheet of paper depending on your budget. At the least, a press kit should ideally include your contact info and a quick autobiography which tells a bit about the sort of music you play, your influences, and your experience.
You need to also customarily include a common set list, including originals and covers.
Send both your press kit and your demo to potential venues
Network, get yourself out there, meet other musicians and get their advice. There is an old saying ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’!
Book yourself, if you struggle to get a gig why not put your own show on. Maybe join up with other bands as this would cut costs of hiring a venue etc.
Promote your gigs, get a website set up, put up posters, send out flyers
Make sure you’re gig is memorable
by putting on a great show.
Expand your market, get on the road and maybe join up with another band and go on tour to promote yourself in other towns/cities
Get online, there are a number of websites out there that you can promote your music on, even set up your own blog.