How To Get Gigs

Getting gigs can be quite a task when you are just starting out as a band and nobody knows who you are. Expecially getting GOOD gigs. You are going to need to start somewhere and start building your bands resume. The good thing about this is that if you do all of your work and start getting good gigs then you will start to get recognized which will make getting gigs a hell of a lot easier. But to get there you are going to have to find these great gigs yourself and then play a tight set while your there.

Here is a list of things my band did to get booked at those hard to get shows.

Sonic Bids

Sonic Bids is a great site that allows bands to create EPK’s to send out to people in the industry. People who book shows will also search Sonic Bids to find bands to play at their shows and festivals.

You can sign up for a free trial to check out what sonic bids has to offer.

There are some pretty big festivals to apply for which are exclusive to sonic bids so just being a member gives you a huge advantage. Give it a try.

Myspace

I can’t even begin to tell you how great myspace has been for getting gigs. Booking agents search myspace for gigs too. A good idea would be to search for local promoters / agents in your area and add them. Even tell them you are looking to play shows in their area. Adding other bands close to you or in near by cities to “swap shows” is another great idea. Open for them in their city, and have them open for you in your city. Whatever you do, just make sure to always be building your network, and socialize with them to gain important contacts.

Hand Press Kits Out To Clubs/Venues

This was the best way to get gigs prior to the internet. It is still however, a very effective way of getting gigs. Try not to just walk into a bar and give the bartender a press kit. The bartender has as much to do with booking the gig as you do. You are going to want to do some reasearch before hand and find out who books the shows. Get their contacts. If they are somebody who is really hard to find then you might want to contact them or email them telling them that you are interested in playing a gig and tell them you have a press kit you want to give them.

If you have a Sonic Bids account you could email them your EPK. Whatever you do just make sure you are professional and show them that you are not going to waste their time. Be on the top of your game.

Apply To Festivals

Festivals are always full of good times and LOTS of people! Some of my best experiences of playing shows are at festivals. Festivals usually bring way more people than a bar show and are a great way to get your name out there. If you get into the right one, there will be press and industry professionals waiting to hear you which is a great way to get noticed, not to mention great press for your press kit and EPK.

Need a website for your band?

Band Website Theme is a great way to get your band a website up and running even if you have little or no programming experience.  This is an inexpensive way to get a fully functional professional website up and running in an instant rather than paying a programmer hundreds of dollars and waiting weeks or months for your website.  If you promote your site right and get some merch and songs available for download then your Band Website Theme will quickly pay for itself.