Hobbayne Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 (edited) I have recently put together a rock/blues band playing everything from Ac/Dc to ZZ top, via Bad Company and Thin Lizzy. As the band founder, the guys are looking at me to find the gigs, something I have never had to do before!! Can anyone give me the heads up on some venues in and around London, Surrey, Berks and Bucks? I dont mind playing for free at first, just to get a foot in the door. Cheers, Hobbayne. Edited April 26, 2012 by Hobbayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Check out Lemonrock. You might have to wait as many gigs will have filled their 2012 dates at the end of last year.... and [b]don't[/b] play for free. You don't need to in order to get gigs at any of the good places so don't set a precedent. Sometimes you can play at jam nights and impress the guy running it. That might get your name around and generate a few gigs.[font=Arial][size=2] [/size][/font] It will be a slog, unless you’re the best band anyone’s ever seen, and you could be working regularly next year if you start now. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 In Bucks, there`s The White Swan in Aylesbury. A good rock crowd, and has it`s own in-house PA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Play for free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christhammer666 Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 in south london you have the new cross in and the amersham arms literally across the road from each other. both have gig nights fridays and saturdays always have new bands and bands that have been gigging for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 The Oval Tavern and The Ship in Croydon always have rock/blues cover bands in too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1335507536' post='1632230'] Play for free? [/quote] Only once mind you, the other guys in the band are up for it. Its not something I would like to do on a regular basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Don't even do it once. It won’t get you any more gigs. You don't need to and you can guarantee that any blues/rock pub gig that asks you to play for free, the landlord is pocketing the fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Yes, have a look at venues which put on similar bands, and approach them. Additionally, actually go to those venues a few times, seeing different bands, to see if it has a local crowd, or only people brought by the bands. Most pubs pay around £200 (plus) for a covers band doing 2 sets on a Fri/Sat night. There`s no reason why, just because you`ve never played there before, that you shouldn`t get the same - unless they work on a payment related to bar sales basis, and no-one turns up at your gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killerfridge Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 There's bloody hundreds of the places in and around Guildford - maybe check out The Star, or the Robin Hood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Try lemon rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Good luck. All these things can be done for little money or effort, and will help your cause: Get some business cards done, you can get 250 for free if you don't mind not choosing the design. Get a facebook page up, and update it regularly. If you have the facilities, record a couple of numbers at a practice and burn some CDs to distribute. +1 to not offering to play for free. If you're feeling generous, tell the landlord what your fee is and offer him a discount for the first gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 In Surrey: Windsor Castle, Carshalton. The Kings Arms, Dorking. The Castle, Chertsey. The Barley Mow, Shepperton. In Berkshire: The Swan, Arborfield. The Hope & Anchor, Wokingham. The Bier Keller, Bracknell. In Bucks: The Red Lion, High Wycombe If you don't mind travelling out to Hampshire: The Swan, Farnborough. The Fox & Hounds, Fleet. The Beehive, Aldershot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Good luck on getting in at the Windsor Castle - most of the bands are the same handful that have been playing there for the best part of a decade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 [quote name='Musky' timestamp='1335556035' post='1633235'] ....Good luck on getting in at the Windsor Castle - most of the bands are the same handful that have been playing there for the best part of a decade.... [/quote] +1 You won't get into the WC. I play there in one band and I can't get any of the others in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louisthebass Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1335666766' post='1634437'] +1 You won't get into the WC. I play there in one band and I can't get any of the others in. [/quote] It's very much a "closed shop" there - they've got their 8/9 bands that revolve around & that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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