Nicko Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 We're a covers band and have played a few open mic nights. We have enough material to fill 90 minutes. We're really only doing it for fun so we'd be looking for gigs in local pubs. I only ever played gigs in a house band before so I have no idea what the next step is. How do we get ouselves out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Tell the LL that you are a good band and will bring 30 people along to his gig... the latter part is ALL that matters to him, IME. Everything else is side salad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigjas Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 What JTUK said......... In pubs its often all about the business, get a crowd to come along and drink plenty and the LL will love you Jas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Having never gigged in the UK I guess we'd be relying on friends and family. Might just about get to 30 between us. Would you play for free on the first one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 I wouldn't play for free the first time - a modest fee to cover your expenses would be fair I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 I would try and get your sets up to 2 hours total if possible. Anything less is a bit risky. Even if you tell the landlord you can only do 2 x 45 he will quickly forget when he tells you on the night to play from 9pm till 12am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Thanks, helpful stuff and polite too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 As above If you can tell a landlord you will bring a crowd thats a good way to get booked , and if you do they should pay you 2x45 should be ok, don't play too much fillers that aren't up to your best standard Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 I would offer to play for free just to get a foot in the door. Many landlords will be worried about paying for a band that turns out to be rubbish, but if you are doing it for nothing, he's not losing anything. Hopefully, you'll get a good night , then you can ask for a fee next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 [quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1423577035' post='2686526'] I would try and get your sets up to 2 hours total if possible. Anything less is a bit risky. Even if you tell the landlord you can only do 2 x 45 he will quickly forget when he tells you on the night to play from 9pm till 12am [/quote] [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1423581846' post='2686598'] 2x45 should be ok, don't play too much fillers that aren't up to your best standard [/quote] Sorry Lojo, I'm with Bonzodog on this one. JTUK is also spot on with the 'bring a crowd' bit, which begs the question ... can you? And not just for the very firstest gig ever, but also for repeat gigs? Never oversell yourself to a pub; they have long memories. Be as straight as you can, and when some pubs then shaft you don't react. On the charging thing, never perform for nowt if it's at all avoidable (or if it's liderally for charidee), but don't expect to start at £250 a night. Offer a LL a package of three gigs, charging (say) £50 for the first, £150 for the second, and then £250 for the third and following gigs. You can tell him that, if you're crap at the first gig, he'll just cancel the remainder anyway. And no, I'm not trying to be funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedoghouse Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Some pubs might offer a 'showcase' night in the week, but probably don't expect to get paid for that. Have you got a FB and/or YouTube page you could sent to prospective gigs so they know what to expect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1423582790' post='2686606'] JTUK is also spot on with the 'bring a crowd' bit, which begs the question ... can you? And not just for the very firstest gig ever, but also for repeat gigs? Never oversell yourself to a pub; they have long memories. Be as straight as you can, and when some pubs then shaft you don't react. On the charging thing, never perform for nowt if it's at all avoidable (or if it's liderally for charidee), but don't expect to start at £250 a night. Offer a LL a package of three gigs, charging (say) £50 for the first, £150 for the second, and then £250 for the third and following gigs. You can tell him that, if you're crap at the first gig, he'll just cancel the remainder anyway. And no, I'm not trying to be funny. [/quote] Fair enough, that's probably a better idea for getting a foot in the door. As for taking a crowd. I don't know a band that wouldn't take a crowd for their first ever gig. Your always gonna get your mates and girlfriends coming, so I'm sure it would be a good night. It's keeping that up that's the problem. Support will fade unless you can garner more by playing great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicko Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 [quote name='inthedoghouse' timestamp='1423582856' post='2686608'] Have you got a FB and/or YouTube page you could sent to prospective gigs so they know what to expect? [/quote] We have a FB page witha few tracks, but the recording quality's not great. Theres a link to some YT vids of open mic nights with a simillar quality issue. We could invest in a day to do a properly recorded demo in the studio if its not chucking time and money away for nowt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Whatever you promise, you must do your utmost to deliver.. No one likes to be had over and since he is doing you a favour of sorts booking you rather than 100 others, you should be good to your word. If you tell him you are the bees;knees, then make sure you are and by the same token if you aren't able to bring 10 people, don't give the impression/BS you will. That way, no one feels cheated and you have not got off on the wrong foot. We always like to have a good respected relationship with the booker... and if we don't, we aren't likely to play there again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Heeeerrreeeeee comes the gig guide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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