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The Easy Guide To Booking And Planning A Gig For Your Band

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When you are in a band, many times the biggest hassle is booking a gig. If you have a manager, then you don’t have to worry about it. The manager handles all of that hassle. However, most bands just starting out don’t have a manager. They have to do everything on their own. If you are looking to book a gig, follow this simple guide to make things easy on yourself.

Have a Press Kit

You want to have a press kit that you can give club owners and venue managers. This press kit will have a lot of information about your band in an easy-to-read package. The press kit should include your contact information, a brief biography of your band, an example set list, your musical influences, a band photo and a CD of your music. If you want to make things really simple on yourself, you can have all of this information available on your band’s website. You do have a website, right? If you don’t have one, then you need to set one up right away. No booking agent at a venue will take a band seriously these days without a website. One page on your website can have an electronic version of your press kit.

Find a Venue

Whether you are looking to book your first gig in your hometown or are looking to go out on the road for the first time, it is important to choose the right venue. Set your sights on somewhere small when you are just starting out. Even if you are only playing for a couple dozen people, you have to start somewhere. Find a coffee shop, bar, pub or club that looks like it would appeal to fans of your type of music. Once you find the venue, then you can contact them. Either give them a call or shoot them an email asking who you need to speak to about booking. When you get the booking agent’s contact information, then go ahead and send them a short email. In this introductory email, tell them that you are interested in playing at their venue. Ask them which dates they have available in the next few months. Include a link to the electronic press kit on the band’s website. Keep this introductory email short, somewhere in the neighborhood of 35-50 words. Once you have sent this email, wait three weeks for a response. If you haven’t heard from them after three weeks, send a follow up email asking them if they received your introductory email. After that, keep sending them follow up emails every three weeks. Don’t stop until they either give you a solid rejection or ask you to play. Being persistent is one of the keys to landing gigs. You never know when a follow up email will land in a booking agent’s email box at the perfect time to get you a gig.

Equipment

When planning for your gig, remember that you need the right equipment to sound your best. Scout out the venue to see if they have all the audio equipment you will need. Use the house PA system if they have one. If they don’t, then you will need to bring your own. Depending on the scale of the show you have in mind you may need amps, microphones, speakers, stage equipment, lighting and/or a sound board. You can rent this from an audio visual hire company if you don’t have it. Make sure to include the cost of the rental in your calculations for the gig fee.

Negotiating

Once you receive an offer to play a gig, then the most aggravating part of the process begins. Negotiating a fair deal is one of the biggest headaches in the music business, and it is the primary reason most bands have managers once they can afford one. The booking agents will lowball bands as much as they can get away with. Don’t be afraid to ask for more money than they offer at first. You want to receive enough pay to make the gig worth your time. It should be enough to cover food and drinks for the band for the evening. There should also be enough to pay a fair hourly rate to each member of the band. If the gig is out of town, you also want there to be enough to cover gas and lodging costs. Add all this up and make sure that you are receiving enough dough to make the gig worth your time. Keep after it and you will land a gig before you know it.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://stockfresh.com/image/809665/show-time-concert

This article is written by Aaron Edwards, a Perth-based musician who has been gigging locally in his spare time for over six years.




Taste of the Danforth 2011

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We decided to check out the Taste of the Danforth this year and it was … well, busy as usual. The weather was fantastic! It drizzled a little bit during the visit which brought out that high humidity that I love so much. The sounds, smells and overall atmosphere is quite intoxicating to take in, in such a short period of time.

We live about a 15 minute walk away, but it seems to take much longer due to the fact that some 1.3 million people who show up every year to the Taste of the Danforth, were right in front of us. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the festival, I highly recommend going … unless you hate crowds and good food!

This year we came armed with a decent sized back pack to put some of the zillion or so delicacies that we were bombard with from every direction in, to take home with us for later consumption. Greek food (obviously), Ethiopian, Taiwanese, Japanese, Irish, British, the Islands, Mexican, to name only a few, food stands are everywhere. Calories as far as the eyes can see. We bought a little bit of food to taste as we walked along the 3 km stretch of closed off roadway and then as I said bought a little bit more to stuff in my backpack to eat today!

The journey lasted around 3.5 hours. The dogs they aren’t a barkin’ all that much but as for my wife’s … It was just plain fantastic to get out of the ‘olde house for a while and finally enjoy some of the spectacular local events that are held in the little city of Toronto.

I’ve got some pic’s on the camera phone that I’ll upload sometime soon but I can’t find that damn USB connector. Am I the only one in the world to loose that thing from time to time?

Keep on Jammin’

Glenn Campbell still Jammin’

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Glenn Campbell has just performed his first concert since announcing that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer (the degenerative brain disease that slowly rob people of their memories and abilities). I cannot imagine what thoughts must have been running around his mind when he first took to the stage.

Glen Campbell leaned over his blue electric guitar, plucked a few strings and made a sour face.
“Dadgum it,” he said.
Campbell fiddled a few seconds longer while standing backstage at the IP Casino and finally found a perfect D chord.
“There it is,” he said, before turning on his heel and marching into the spotlight. He launched into “Gentle on my Mind” and — without so much as clearing his throat — nailed it.

“That first one is a doozey, ain’t it?” Campbell asked the crowd. AP

Now that would have been quite the emotional show for all who were in attendance that night in Biloxi, Miss.

I’ve read that he may have missed that odd word here or there but his teleprompter was his saving grace that show. Heck, I’ve been known to have done that from time to time accompanied with that one word I follow it with “Damn it!” Good for Glenn, I hope that he can enjoy his God given talent as long as he can.

For a guitarist/musician/singer-songwriter like Glenn Campbell, this disease must feel like someone coming up to you and hitting you in the heart with a sledgehammer. While I’m not getting any younger, I find myself once in a while walking in a room and forgetting what I went in there for and I’m sure you can find examples in your own life. I can only speculate at what he is going through.

Alzheimer, it seems to me, is a disease that appears to be coming at us as a society from all directions. It has affected a direct family member, a very dear friend’s own loving father and countless patients that I have had direct dealings with over the years.

I have seen it tear away and disregard peoples memories at will with no fear of the consequences! It not only has devastating affects on the patient themselves but their loved ones as well. If you know someone who has a loved one with this unimaginable disease, give them a hug … because they need it too!

If you feel like giving a simple donation to the Alzheimer of Canada society, check out their secure site and give a simple donation to the cause, one day you might need their help too.

Mason Dixon Band at Toronto Ribfest 2011

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In one of my previous posts I told you all about our adventures to The Toronto Ribfest in Centennial Park in Etobicoke and the great food there but I forgot to tell you about this great band that we stumbled upon while waiting in line for some of Bob’s Bloomin’ onions.

The band was called the Mason Dixon band and they were the perfect band to showcase at a venue like this. The singer also said that this was their 8th straight year playing this venue and I’ll soon show you why.

So while waiting in line we heard a band warming up on stage doing a sound check. The guitars sounded great, the drum kit sounded small, (but a talented guy like Domenic or Julian Pavine, on a small kit can make people’s head turn) was ok, then came the sound of a keyboard in Hammond B3 mode. To me one of the greatest sounds that you can hear while a band is warming up is the sound of this thing, it makes the hair on my arms stand up! Then the band started playing.

First tune they performed that afternoon was Kansas Carry On My Wayward Son. The vocals were great, the band was tight, the smell of charcoal ribs, a light breeze blowing through my hair, a perfect sky and with these guys wailing away in the background, priceless!

They then performed a great version of Foreplay/Long Time by Boston, Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac), School (Supertramp) Thinkin’ Of You (Harlequin). The highlight for some people was trying to figure out that this annenna thing was that the lead guitar player/backup singer was playing. This instrument is called the

Then as we were exiting the park we where showered with Raise A Little Hell from Trooper, while watching people walking in, lip singing to the song, what a great way to leave this years event! Wish you we there.

Keep on Jammin’

Toronto Ribfest at Centennial Park

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My wife and I went to witness one of the many great summer festivals that Toronto has to offer this past Saturday, it’s called Toronto Ribfest.

There are actually several Ribfests during the summer months. The one we went to yesterday was located in Etobicoke’s Centennial Park. We’ve been there before mostly for the food but this year ran into this great band playing on the Rotary stage, but first to the fine local cuisine!

First we picked up some Origional (Yes that’s how they spelled it right on the tin mug that came with it) Pappy’s Old Fashion Soda Pop. It was way too watered down for the price of $7.00. Tip: if you do get one, make sure to completely pull down on the tap until you see the colour of your drink otherwise you end up with a bad mixture. The mug does have a cool Army or Klondike gold rush appearance to it. Then it was off to Camp 31 BBQ to get us 2 Full Racks of Ribs with 2 orders of beans and coleslaw. Cost $48.00.

Just before leaving the Ribfest, we finally decided to get a taste of Bob’s Bloomin’ Onions. Cost $9.00. They get a huge onion and make it look like a flower. Then they dip it in batter then deep fry it and serve it with a Ranch Dressing sauce.

Blooming Onion

The parking as usual was crazy, for a more pleasant exit from the parking lot, ask the cop or attendant whee they want you to exit, it will definitely help with your blood pressure.

I’m sorry if I grossed out any vegans out there.

Keep on Jammin’

To the olde boys from Pink Floyd

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It took 29 years and 328 days for the surviving members of Pink Floyd (Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason) to perform as a band at a Roger Waters concert at London’s O2 Arena on Thursday May 13th. Man that would have been a great show to witness.

I recall seeing the band in the old CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto in the mid 80’s and that show was just plain epic. The band actually went into Quadraphonic Sound that night, holy crap it was just like sitting in someone’s home who had a real kick ass stereo system. An old friend of mine, Ed Myers, had the first Quad Stereo that I ever experienced and for that I thank him!

While Rogers was playing Comfortably Numb that night with his band, David Gilmour joined in with a beautiful black Stratocaster of his and what a sight and sound that must of been. Behind Roger Waters on stage was his trademark white Wall and on the top of that was David Gilmour whaling away singing and playing guitar like only he can. Whenever I jam along with this classic tune or perform it live somewhere, I always have his majestic guitar solo playing in my head way before it should in truth come in. It’s just one of those solo’s that even non guitarists know off by heart.

Then for the last song of the evening Roger Waters, David Gilmour and then bands original drummer Nick Mason gathered on stage and offered the crowd their version of Outside the Wall. Gilmour was on a mandolin, Rogers on trumpet and Nick Mason on tambourine.

I’m not sure how many Pink Floyd fans there are out there, but if you wanted to see the olde boys from Pink Floyd play together again, even if it was for largely symbolic reasons, than this was a show to have seen.

Keep on Jammin’

Old school Record show

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Since we’re starting to put our vinyl records collection into a digital format to put on our new iPod, I couldn’t help but notice that there will be a vinyl record show coming up right down the street from us on Sunday March 27 2011. It’s run by The Record Guys and it looks like it will be a blast. This event is in it’s 3rd year I think so they’re not some fly by night operation.

… the show has become a haven for collectors of all ages whose love of Vinyl, CDs, Paper Goods and other music collectables just can’t be quenched.

Just looking at our old record collection brings back such fond memories. We only took a quick look at our collection downstairs and they look to be ok. We have them in these thick old computer boxes that I got when I worked at this computer company called Kortex Computers, and put them on top of an old skid that places them around 8 inches off the ground.

So if your looking for something to do this weekend in the East End of Toronto this weekend then drop me a comment on this post and we’ll head off there for a blast!

Keep on Jammin’

Idiots who talk during concerts

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I recently saw Jeff Tweedy live in the studio on the George stroumboulopoulos show. I honestly didn’t know who he was when we first got the tickets so I went on Youtube to watch him perform and from what I saw the guy looks like he’d be a lot fun live, especially in a small venue. He is also the leader of a band called Wilco.

This one video stood out to me, because as a performer, this is the worst thing that can happen to you when your playing a show. Some drunkin’ asshole talking about God only knows, while your pouring out your heart and soul to people you don’t know and who have paid money to come and see you live on stage. For all you artists out there you know what I mean.

The video below is from one of Jeff Tweedy’s concerts in Lambchop New Zealand. What Jeff Tweedy does in this clip is exactly what all us performer would like to do to those people who talk during shows. So everyone listen up and shut up! (Kiddin’)

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew3AOlbJXos

Keep on Jammin’

Figuring out how to use my iPod Touch in my car

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i2!RDS Universal FM Transmitter So now that we have an iPOD Touch, I started thinking about how we can use it through our car stereo? Unfortunately our Pontiac Pursuit’s (which is called the G5 in the US) audio system doesn’t come one of those line in inputs, so there goes that idea. The only other option open to us is to get one of those Universal FM Transmitters.

In a nut shell, you plug your music device into the Universal FM transmitter. Then this runs into the power supply in your car, or the old cigarette lighter if you will. Side note: I’ve been smoke free for 5 months! The transmitter connects wirelessly and syncs up to your car FM band thus allowing the iPODs signal to run through the stereo.

The one we picked up is called the i2! RDS FM Transmitter for iPod from Aerielle. We went searching for reviews on FM Transmitters and found this one to be reliable and fairly inexpensive. The best price was through Tiger Direct.

i2! RDS Universal FM Transmitter The i2! is simple to use.

After plugging everything in, you look for the 2 buttons on the front that are stacked together. You hold down both of these buttons at the same time for a couple seconds.  Now you will notice on the very small digital display screen, numbers that represent your FM stations, rolling from lowest to highest. This action is telling you that it is scanning for FM signals/bands that ARE NOT being used.

It will then stop scanning and a number will start flashing. This number represents a station or band width that it can use to send the signal from your device into the stereo. You then press down on one of the 3 per-set buttons near the bottom of the unit to save it in it’s memory.

If i2! displays more flashing numbers after you choose the first band that it shows you, then set them up and remember the station/frequency number so you can use it for another time. This might come in handy if later on down the road, the first station you saved is being taken over by a radio station. Now you can tune your car stereo to that location and begin to use your iPOD!

Damn, I can’t imagine driving without it now!

Keep on Jammin’

Picked up a iPod Touch last weekend

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We just picked up the iPod Touch, 4th generation, over the weekend. The thinking behind getting one was to place all of our audio collections, both CD’s & Vinyl albums, in one easy to access, portable or stationary entertainment system. The purchase of the iPod Touch has been swimming around in our minds for quite some time now.

iPod Touch 34gigabit 4th Generation During the sales pitch by an Apple rep in the store we were in, she brought to our attention (mine actually because my wife, as usual, was light years ahead of me in understanding what wondrous things this product can bring to us) to the options that come with it.

Then it came to me that this thing appears to look and act just like the iPad. Right after this thought, she said that some of the Apps on the iPad Touch can also be used on the iPod. The rep concluded that the look of an App itself, on either one, might differ a little bit, who really cares if it works on both.

A while ago I talked about this appealing guitar app called the Amplitube that is used on an iPad. I considered this one as an excellent idea for someone like myself. So now I’m wondering if I could get the Amplitube on the the iPod Touch? I’ll get back to ya on what I find later on.

Does anyone out there have one and like to advise me on what Guitar Apps is worth looking into that actually work?

Keep on Jammin’

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