I find myself frustrated once again after getting off the phone with a club owner who won’t book my group unless we can guarantee that we’re going to fill his place. Personally, I know bands that will tell club owners whatever they want to hear but I’m not like that (maybe that’s my problem) and when I was honest with this guy he pretty much rejected my bid for a gig because I couldn’t guarantee a head count.
He then went on to recount how his current groups are bringing in 40, 50, 100 people on a weekend. Now, I know that those are inflated numbers. I know that the real numbers are probably less than half of that but he was adamant and so that leads me to the question “What have they got that I haven’t got?”.
I know both of the acts that he’s currently booking. From a musical standpoint they’re no better or worse than my group (in fact in the case of one of them I can guarantee that I’m a better vocalist) so it’s not the quality of the music and it’s not the style of music since we’re all jazz groups (OK, I could argue the jazz label but I’ve done that in another thread that died a sad and lonely death) So, what’s my group missing? Are we not entertaining enough? Not fun enough? Not engaging enough? Too serious?
What is it for you, fellow dopers, that would inspire you to follow a local band such that you’d try and go to as many of their gigs as you could. That you’d come out and spend money week after week at a variety of clubs.
I can’t comment on the content of your shows, or your performance, but I suspect that what you lack is advertising.
Do you have a website?
If you do, is it updated regularly so people know where your next show is?
Do you have an email list of people who want this information or who just like your band?
Do you print up fliers and distribute them in front of the venue’s you play at or want to play at?
Do you call all your friends and ask them to come to the show?
Do you attend shows by other bands, to show your support for their efforts?
Is there a local radio station or program that could play your music, and give information about gigs?
Are there any free newspapers that will review a CD and/or list gigs in their pages?
In my experience, the grunt work of advertising is the hardest part of being in a band, but it’s necessary as all get out in order to find a following. Everything I asked you about is stuff I’ve done, and I’ve seen good results from it. 50 people isn’t all that many to get into a club, but it can require a good deal of work at the outset.
btw, I see that you’re in Florida. Can I ask what city?
As a local-music fan I’d say the best way to get people to come is have them come for you. When I meet someone who is in a band, I’m more inclined to go and ‘support my friends’. Plus the word of mouth will pull in a few more.
So start by making a ton of friends. Social acquaintances who have some spare cash and friends of their own. Then when you have a show, you have to call each one of them and make a personal request for them to come. And keep on 'em. If they bail on one show, then call them on it for the next show. Guilt 'em, Bribe 'em, but watch out you don’t push any of them away.
This may be difficult but that’s how musicians get the crowds in the beginning.
After all that, you have to impress them with the music.
BTW this sounds good and all, but I don’t have any experience at it.
Never mind, I found your website. It looks great. Seems like you’re already doing a lot of the things I mentioned.
How much press have you gotten in the Sentinel?
Do you invite concert reviewers to your shows regularly?
Do you sell many CDs at your gigs? I’d say push the CD every 3 songs or so, if possible.
Peristence and constant, shameless self-promotion will get you far in the music biz. Especially the self-promotion.
Jazz is a hard niche to fill for live performances. Best of luck.
One bit of advice a promoter told me one time was to not play out too much in the same area. If you play in the same town 2 or 3 times in a month, people will be more inclined to say “i’ll see them next time…” and then never show up.
All the advice Bo gives is on the money, too. The Internet is a goldmine for bands. Get a site, collect email addresses (from your site and in person) and send updates. Get your site linked from as many of the millions of sites out there that have lists and lists of band links.
Talk to other local musicians. Make alliances. Piggyback on their gigs in the future.
Flyers and stickers are still a great way to go. So are free promo CDs. You see a band’s sticker on enough signposts and bathroom doors you might actually be inclined to go see them.
Then once they’re there - play a good enough show so they come back
Hey velvetjones, you’re gaining a following a little at a time. I live in the Orlando area, so I’ll come out to one of your Friday night gigs some time! I love jazz, particularly with girl singers, so I’m sure I will enjoy your sets and spread the word. I’ll also download your mp3s when I get home from work tonight. You see, all I had to do was become informed!
Yes, My e-mail list is up to around 120 names and I’m adding all the time.
Nope, we’re not doing flyers.
Absolutely.
Yes.
Yes, we’re represented on the local public radio jazz station that also announces our shows and plays from our CD once and a while. We’ve got a spot on the local smooth jazz station’s web site.
Yes and Yes, we’re listed in the weekly newspaper though haven’t been reviewed.
You’re not kidding. Seems like I’m doing the right things but not getting the numbers, yet we always have people ask to be put on the list. Have almost sold out of CDs so I know we don’t suck and people like us.
I’m in Orlando and our gigs are in and around the Orlando area.
Longtime professional musician here - I’ve built four bands to date into touring acts with strong fan bases over the course of my career.
The absolute basics that very few bands do but all should:
good product: good material, professional appearance and powerful and/or endearing stage presence. No dead air or umm, ahhhh moments. The artist must be in charge of the show at all times.
aggressive and professional self-promotion: regular press releases to local papers and websites, making sure that all shows are listed in all calendar listings, well-designed flyers and regular flyering
professional phone manner and knowledge of how the business works - at this level you’re not concerned about anything but making sure the club owner is happy - whether it’s by a large door or strong drink sales.
network and share bills with as many other acts as possible - particularly those that do have strong followings you can play in front of. This is the fastest way to gain a crowd.
Find a house gig if possible, in a place with a decent turnover of clientele. If you’re a jazz artist, find a Saturday dinner gig or Sunday brunch gig. You won’t make jack to start. If you’re good enough, you’ll make a whole lot down the road. My new group (bluegrass/newgrass) started out with a 6-8 pm Wed show for happy hour at a bar down the street, making $100 a night. 16 weeks later, we pull in 150 people a week and are making $350 a night, plus dinner, drinks and they pay all advertising and promo costs. And I’m raising the price again soon, and they’ll gladly pay it. Why? They stand to make more money with us there than not, and as long as they make more than they pay us, we all win.
Thanks Big Bad Voodoo Lou I hope you’ll come up and introduce yourself if you’re ever at a show. Whatcha doin’ this Friday?
Zipper JJ That’s good advice. We are trying to get out of town more hence the Jacksonville gigs we’ve got booked (a city about 125 miles north for you non-floridians) Orlando can be frustrating and while it’s not a huge jazz city it seems to be getting better.
Snowboarder Bo Thanks for your advice. Glad you like the web site btw. It’s my first ever attempt at building a site and while it doesn’t sing and dance like some of them I think it does the job.
Speaking of concert reviewers I don’t even know who they are. I don’t think I’ve ever read a concert review.
Flightlessbird You are so right. I’m a little on the shy side (so I had to be a lead singer lol) so it’s hard for me to “work the audience” and make new friends. I think I may come off as aloof when it’s really just my inability to talk coherently to strangers. I get so tongue tied. Once I’ve said my Hi, how are you? my mind is a blank. I’ve got to work on that.
Picker Thanks for chiming in. That’s a wealth of good information. While I think our musical performance is good, I think my stage presence may be lacking something. I really do wish I had someone who’d honestly critique me. I really need that.
We had a regular Sunday brunch that died recently. I don’t know what I could have done to make it last. They restaurant just couldn’t afford us with the crowd they were getting. Summers in FL suck. Off season. Lots of places lose their ass in the summer.
