Blues bands - the next stage

[Mickeyboro]

My band has been around for three and a half years.

 

We could like to play blues clubs and/or festivals as well as the local venues we’ve found suit us - pubs and social clubs seem not to work so well.

 

So my question is - what do these more specialist venues/events require? Original material rather than classic blues? A following to boost their attendees? A commercial recording?
 

How can we take the next step? I’m sure many here have made the journey, and I’d value your thoughts. 
 

Thanks

[Len_derby]

Good luck with this Mick.

The only bit of advice/experience I can give is related to travel.

I spent a few years in a band playing original songs in a folk style with an interesting selection of instruments; accordion, mandolin etc.

Although we got a decent amount of gigs at pubs, clubs and festivals there was a lot of travel involved. Playing a particular genre, there seemed to be maybe only one venue in a town or smaller city that was worth playing in. Suitable festivals might be a couple of hours drive away too.

I don’t know if that’s the case for the blues, though. Plus, it will depend on how often you want to play live.

Hope you find a way!

[Burns-bass]

What we found worked well was a video of us playing. This helped to connect us with an agent who managed the whole process for us.

 

I actually have a list of blues festivals in the South West if it's of interest. Now, I don't play with that band any more, but I've found the same process (getting a video, great website and social media stuff) can connect you with an agent and let them do the rest. 

[chris_b]

A blues band could be anything from JJ Cale to Muddy Waters, SRV to Keb Mo, Joe Louis Walker to Bonnie Raitt.

 

Can't you expand your repertoire and tailor your set to the venue?

[Mickeyboro]

2 hours ago, chris_b said:

A blues band could be anything from JJ Cale to Muddy Waters, SRV to Keb Mo, Joe Louis Walker to Bonnie Raitt.

 

Can't you expand your repertoire and tailor your set to the venue?

We do that already - basically, there are audiences who expect the Commitments/Blues Brothers and those who are broader minded. 

I want to know what blues clubs and festivals expect…

 

[pete.young]

24 minutes ago, Mickeyboro said:

We do that already - basically, there are audiences who expect the Commitments/Blues Brothers and those who are broader minded. 

I want to know what blues clubs and festivals expect…

 

I think writing your own material makes a massive difference.

[Len_derby]

All the blues festivals I’ve been to seem to have a fairly broad definition of what constitutes ‘blues’. As a case in point, I regularly went to the Newark Blues Festival before it moved from the castle. Headline acts over the years that I can remember were; Aynsley Lister, The Nimmo Brothers, Ian Siegal and Chantel McGregor. Non of which are strictly blues in the traditional sense. Interestingly, with respect to @pete.young‘s post above, they were all mostly playing their own material. 

[Mickeyboro]

16 minutes ago, pete.young said:

I think writing your own material makes a massive difference.

Some people who see us now think we do, as we tend towards the obscure. 
 

We might as well be hung for a sheep. As long as we don’t cave in and do Mustang Sally!