Where to gig?

Warren

Hoping you guys have some ideas ?

We were chatting at band practice last night, talking about song choices etc. and once again the question arose of what our target "market" is if we want to do more performances. We play covers, so obviously we'd like to build a repertoire consistent with the types of gigs we're doing.

Music is mostly just classic / soft rock / pop.

Initially we were thinking pub-type venues, but since we're quite a big band (we were 6 piece, now 5 piece) we'd occupy too much physical room to do most restaurants and pubs I'd think.

Obviously there are corporate functions, weddings and the like, but what other options are there for our sort of band? The older guys in the band are a bit out of touch with the local music scene, but they've suggested we consider looking at playing some venues that specialise in live music, like Tanz Cafe. I know those sorts of places have evenings when unknown bands can get a show at doing a few numbers, but I'm not sure who we should be talking to in order to kick that sort of thing off.

I'm personally keen to come along to some of the get-together's I've seen arranged on these forums, but most of those seem more guitar specific, 'open-mic' type events. Not really band stuff?

Does anyone have any experience to share here? We're not looking to turn pro or anything, just to do a couple of performances on a semi-regular basis to give some outlet to all the practice we do.

IceCreamMan

Hi Warren

what we have decided to do is the following:

we have approached a MOTH chapter to use their hall and will invite all our family and friends and colleagues etc etc ..we a 4 piece band and hope to get at least 3 ppl on the night ? we play ,mates drink an eat an everyone is happy. We intend doing this on a sort of regular basis.

Also we have approached a pub/restaurant at a driving range who is quite happy for us to play on a saturdya night when they not busy anyway ,again we invite all our mates etc ..we play for free and the venue sells booze and food where otherwise they would not have ...a symbiotic relationship.

aubs1

IceCreamMan wrote: ..we play for free and the venue sells booze and food where otherwise they would not have ...a symbiotic relationship.

Excellent piece of advice ICM, I would have advised the same........ get out there and get the band exposed, sooner or later you will get some sort of a "following"....... also it is good "practice" to play to a crowd, so when the "big time" happens, you'll be ready............. ?