Getting ready for your band's first live show? 4 tips for feeling prepared

One of the biggest regrets you may have before going onstage is not being prepared enough. For example, one of the instruments might stop working or a singer might get stage fright. Instead of worrying about what could happen, try planning beforehand for anything that could go wrong.

Click to read more ...

How To Prepare For Your First Rock Concert

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to attend a live rock concert, you know the rush you get when you enter the arena. Rowdy crowds fill the seats with excitement. Adrenaline surges when the lights dim, and anticipation builds as the band takes the stage. From that moment, the loud music and bright lights create an atmosphere so powerful and energetic that even non-rock music lovers will appreciate. That said, if you’re a first-time concert goer, there are a few details to arrange before the date arrives. Make the most of your time at the show by going into the venue ready and well-prepared.

Click to read more ...

Is A Hybrid Concert Going To Be The Interim Solution For The Music Crowd?

What is a hybrid concert, you ask? It’s a simple combination of a live performance with a small in-person audience that is streamed live to music lovers who picked an online ticket to watch the event remotely. It’s working from home, only for your audience, while your biggest fans (or the most adventurous ones) still get the chance to be there in person and experience your music at the venue.

Click to read more ...

5 Essential Elements For Setting Up Your Own Stage For A Gig

If you want your gig to go well, you have to set up the stage properly. Failing to do so may cause a few mishaps that could have easily been avoided. Here are five essential elements for setting up your own stage for a gig.

Click to read more ...

Free Gig Quote Calculator For Musicians And Bands

As with any business, life as a working musician can involve some pretty monotonous and repetitive tasks, which quite frankly we could all do without.

At Bands For Hire agency we’ve built our internal systems to reduce the boring everyday administrative chores and spend more time on what really matters. For you, that means more time writing music, rehearsing and marketing your original music - for us it means more time with clients and doing the things we love such as creating content, listening to new acts and well… developing helpful little tools.

Click to read more ...

How To Keep Yourself Safe And Secure At A Music Festival

With longer summer days comes plenty of music festivals held across the country. Whether you are a lover of alternative, rock, country or Christian rock, there is a fun and vibrant festival calling your name. However, not everything at a festival is fun and games. Instead, you must actively take steps to keep yourself safe and healthy while there. Here are five ways that you can do this while still having plenty of fun.

Click to read more ...

10 Gigging Mis-haps For Your Band To Avoid

It’s show time! There you are, waiting in the wings for what’s shaping up to be one heck of night, and lo and behold, something’s gone wrong. Here’s a few common problems you might face as a gigging band, and how to deal with them as and when they occur.

Click to read more ...

4 Ways To Make Your Next Rock Concert Legit

Few people can disclose that they have never been to a concert and if they can, one of their top wishes is to attend one. From the heart-throbbing sound to the exhilaration goer’s experience, rock concerts are said to be the time of anyone’s lives. Though most believe that there are expectations when going to a concert, the best actions anyone can take is to keep it simple, relaxed, and to have a good time. Making your next rock concert legit is far easier than you think.

Click to read more ...

6 Dead Giveaways That You're Uncomfortable Onstage

This post originally appeared on the Sonicbids Blog

Performing live music is a nerve-racking experience. No amount of singing in the mirror or head-banging in the garage can quite prepare you for the moment when the lights come up and you’re there. The center of attention. The subject of scrutiny. “Here we are now, entertain us.”

Click to read more ...

Your Fans Won't Come to Your Shows...

That’s right, on average, 75% or more of your fan base won’t make it out to a show on your next tour. Proximity. Sold out. Cost. All factors which can keep your most loyal fans from attending your next killer show. Learn some creative ways to engage your non-attending fans.

Click to read more ...

How Often Should You Play? 6 Drawbacks to Playing More Shows

In some of my other articles, such as How to Book SXSW, I mention the importance of playing often. However, I need to add a disclaimer: it isn’t just about the quantity of shows plated, it’s also about the quality. While in theory, it sounds good to perform as much as possible because you can gain more exposure, the results can be quite different.

There is such a thing as playing too often, especially in the same market. Here are some of the biggest reasons why you should limit the number of shows you play:

Click to read more ...

5 Things You Need to Know About Unofficial SXSW Showcases

This is the time of year where many artists many artists are starting to get their SXSW rejection letters. It’s also the time of year where you’ll see many contests on Sonicbids, ReverbNation, and other sites that try to have you have your fans vote your way into a slot at the festival. However, eager artists who want to break into the music industry will begin finding other ways to a part of the action and that includes unofficial SXSW showcases or other festivals taking place in Austin at the same time. Before you jump at any of these opportunities, you better educate yourself.

Click to read more ...

The 3 Things You Need to Know About Booking CMJ Music Marathon

It’s January so that means artists are clamoring to get their applications in for CMJ Music Marathon, a large industry festival based in New York City, NY. I’ve written about booking and playing music festivals such as SXSW in the past before and many of same ideas hold true here. These are the top 3 things you need to know about booking CMJ:

Click to read more ...

Playing Profitable Shows as a Band: The 25% Rule

A recent article by Last Stop Booking highlighted the fact that touring is now more important than ever. If you have the time, I highly suggest reading through the article to get a basic feeling for how you should be planning your tours as a band.

I’d like to add some tips/ideas to that post by going farther than just giving ballpark numbers and touring radiuses to go off of and instead dive into a profitable tour itinerary that just about any new indie band can use as a template.

Click to read more ...