Looking for non-open-mic night gigs

PeachyDragon

This might be better suited to the Performance section of the forum but I'm not sure.
My band is rehearsed and tight at the moment, but we need some gigs to try
out the 1 or 2 less experienced members in a real setting without it being the end of
the world if it doesn't go well. We are based in Pretoria.

I am trying to avoid open mic nights since playing for the barman and some other bands and
their girl friends WONT help the new members learn anything about the set or performing
for people.

Anybody have some ideas of what other options I should look at? First prize
is if someone has a gig coming up that needs a supporting act.

We are all late 20's early 30's, hard-rock act... so there's some acoustic and some slight metal
songs... mostly just good rock songs. Rather loud in terms of decibels.

If anyone wants an audio sample:
Other versions of these have been on the demo/listening section of the forum.

Otherwise I will have to ask the people I know who can network...

Scorched

Arcade Empire in Pretoria has a good turnout every time I've been there and is keen for new talent.

My suggestion would be to hang out there and have chat with the musicians (a lot of guys that is active in the scene hang out there/the musicians performing) and see if you can't organise something.

Bob-Dubery

PeachyDragon wrote: I am trying to avoid open mic nights since playing for the barman and some other bands and
their girl friends WONT help the new members learn anything about the set or performing
for people.

My experience has been quite the opposite. There are regular open mic nights (and there seem to be more starting up all the time) that are well attended and where the core audience are supportive and attentive. They do listen, and you can learn about performing.

If you're new to gigging, then almost any gig is a good gig and presents some kind of opportunity for learning something about yourself and about performing.

FRALIN-FAN

NOthing to add I.T.O gigging, just wanted to say I like the songs!

PeachyDragon

FRALIN FAN wrote: NOthing to add I.T.O gigging, just wanted to say I like the songs!

Thank YOu!

PeachyDragon

X-rated Bob wrote:
PeachyDragon wrote: I am trying to avoid open mic nights since playing for the barman and some other bands and
their girl friends WONT help the new members learn anything about the set or performing
for people.
My experience has been quite the opposite. There are regular open mic nights (and there seem to be more starting up all the time) that are well attended and where the core audience are supportive and attentive. They do listen, and you can learn about performing.

If you're new to gigging, then almost any gig is a good gig and presents some kind of opportunity for learning something about yourself and about performing.

Which venues have open-mic nights like this in your experience Bob? Know any in Pretoria?
I joined this band about 6/7 years ago and we used to do a very different style of music... played
many gigs at Nile Crocodile, Sheeva's, Cafe Arc etc... and generally my experience wasn't great.
Musically the band is tight and we've been working on stage craft... putting the less experienced
members in a gig with no people is going to crush their stage craft since you can't do certain things
without a crowd.

Bob-Dubery

PeachyDragon wrote:
Which venues have open-mic nights like this in your experience Bob? Know any in Pretoria?

No. I don't know any in Pretoria. Keira used to run a very good one in Sandton, and, as you will know, I punt the TJ's open mic night on this forum BECAUSE it's a supportive and encouraging open mic night. Maybe I've been lucky, but bottom line - open mic nights are not necessarily about playing to the bass player's girlfriend, the barman and the barman's dog.

BTW... if people are going to talk through your set then you might still find out something about performing.

I joined this band about 6/7 years ago and we used to do a very different style of music... played
many gigs at Nile Crocodile, Sheeva's, Cafe Arc etc... and generally my experience wasn't great.
Musically the band is tight and we've been working on stage craft... putting the less experienced
members in a gig with no people is going to crush their stage craft since you can't do certain things
without a crowd.

Well you can't do a dive into the mosh pit at TJ's, that's for sure. But you can learn about playing in time, which, I think, is an under appreciated quality, and if you're really raw you can learn about singing into a microphone and get used to hearing your own voice coming back at you on the monitors.

PeachyDragon

X-rated Bob wrote:
BTW... if people are going to talk through your set then you might still find out something about performing.

Well you can't do a dive into the mosh pit at TJ's, that's for sure. But you can learn about playing in time, which, I think, is an under appreciated quality, and if you're really raw you can learn about singing into a microphone and get used to hearing your own voice coming back at you on the monitors.

Thanks Bob... but... we rehearse once or twice every week in a paid studio so we are good with mic technique and the musical
parts of playing... well, to a point. But such is life. ?
So I'm concerned with getting the guys in front of people and seeing how that modifies their stage behaviour and playing and
their musical emoting. No mosh pit required... we certainly aren't targeting that market any more.

flatfourfan

Ever thought about hosting your own gig at a buddies house?

Invite all your friends, their friends and family and that way you have a supportive crowd as well.

PeachyDragon

flatfourfan wrote: Ever thought about hosting your own gig at a buddies house?

Invite all your friends, their friends and family and that way you have a supportive crowd as well.

Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure that will work at the moment but I will give it some thought.