How To Book, Organise and Pull Off a Local Gig
By: Ed Townend, Former Promoter/Technical Manager at The Moon Cardiff
Take some advice from your friendly neighbourhood music venue; When a promoter or act comes to us as a venue, often our first question is “who’s playing?”. For all venues, not just ours, this is crucial and determines whether they host your show or not, so make your line-up your number one priority. It’s your best chance for success.
- DO consider the genres and ‘feel’ of a night. For example, an acoustic act followed by a hardcore band (or worse – the other way round!) can be a tough sell. Multi-genre line-ups are great and explore the breadth of a scene, but the atmosphere and audience are a big part of what makes a gig successful.
- DON’T just pick your favourite acts without thinking it through. Just because you like who’s playing doesn’t mean you’ll people will automatically come to the gig. Think about what an audience might like, who is making waves, what bands or artists might complement one and other. Often a good way to assemble a line-up is to choose one act you love and find others that are similar or can fit around them.
- DO aim for diversity in your line-up. Think about a gender balanced line-up or one which features performers from various backgrounds. The more diverse your shows are, the happier the scene (and venue) will be. Look long and hard at your line-up and consider if you’re really representing and supporting a diverse range of people.
- DON’T forget your audience. Who do you think will come, and why? What might they be looking for in a show? Is it a serious gig for serious music fans or is it a party for your mates? Always book accordingly.
- DO make enough time for a good night of music. Venues need enough to cover costs (staff, bar sales etc), and audiences expect value for money. Aim for 3-4 hours of music with maybe four acts playing 30-minute sets as opposed to one or two, which might leave people disappointed.
- DON’T overbook your line-up. Be realistic about your budget and the time you allowed. Yes, six acts might be great, but can you afford it? Would everyone be paid fairly? Will there be enough time for everyone to soundcheck, change over and play comfortably? Consider splitting a line up over two gigs instead if you desperately want everyone to play!
- DO have a back-up plan! An act in your line-up might say no when you approach them, or worse, drop out at last minute. Being prepared with alternative options will save you from the stress of scrambling to fill a slot.