The art of promoting gigs – part 2

Yesterday I posted part 1 that covered how D4D Entertainment organize their band’s gigs. Well here’s part 2 folks! In today’s post we’ll see how they:

• Set-up their bills
• Apply the right ‘formula’ for the line-up
• Cope with band work ethics
• Work out the last details after the show

Enjoy.

- Setting up the bill for a gig -

After calculating total expenses, and revenue possibilities, we start setting up the bill
Since we are putting out money for this show, sometimes out of our own pockets, we obviously want to make this money back (and hopefully some extra cash as well).  We then discuss what bands fit the genre style for this date and who can bring the maximum number of fans or “heads” through the door.  Since we are one of the biggest promoters of unsigned/underground bands, we also look at what bands have the least number of fans but also who can put on a quality show and is willing to work for it.  For these bands we mix them into a big show so they can get exposed in an effort to assist them and gain new fans.  This approach has allowed some of the garage bands with no fans to become mega stars here in California.  We then ask the bands if they are available and interested in this opportunity.  We always make it clear to the bands that they have to “work” for the show and that it’s not going to be served to them on a silver platter.  An issue I have found with most younger or inexperienced bands.

- Applying the right ‘formula’ for the line-up -

Once we have the bands confirmed, we then work on “the formula” for the show.

• What time will we start?
• What are the set times?
• What is the breakdown time?
• Setup time?
• Sound check time?
• Who opens, who plays 2nd, 3rd, 4th or closes?

Here in California, when a band closes, that means they headline.  Bands, if you are headlining a show, it’s your night to shine! It’s your show so get out there and hustle!  The more work and effort you put into pushing “your” show, the better “your” show will be.  Don’t count on the venue, promoter or other bands to give you fans.  That’s your job!!! And another thing, don’t bitch, complain or talk smack if you have to open or you don’t like your spot.  Be thankful and lucky you are even playing!  For you crybaby bands who whine and complain about your spot, guess what?  You’ll probably never be booked by this promoter or even booked at this venue again.

I will now get off my soapbox and back to the formula.

For example you may have 3 rock bands.  Even though the genre/style can be classified under 1 category, there are variations of the style.  We usually tend to start with the lighter or less heavy band first.  The 2nd band will have a little more heaviness to its music or something different to bring. Then finally we have the hardest, heaviest band perform last.  What you have is a gradual incline or increase in rock or heaviness.  If you could see a graph, the line would start low, then steadily increase upwards to the right.  Sometimes we even try the opposite or mix it with a bell shaped curve (the lighter bands in first and last position with the heaviest bands in the middle).  My personal preference is the first one mentioned.  We will do the same with alternative or hip-hop type music as well.  There is always a formula to our shows and this approach has proven successful.

- An introduction to band work ethics -

Bands have to work?  What did he say?  That’s right kiddies, time to put the video game joystick down and get to cracking!!!  This means, “pushing” your show.  Tell your family and friends, tell people you work with, use the internet to email or myspace.  When the promoter calls you and says OK and the fliers are ready to be picked up,  pick them up, and get them out there!  Don’t just leave them on cars in a parking lot – get out there and hustle.  Go to the nearest sound gear shop and talk to people, introduce yourself, invite them out to your show and put a flier in their hand.  Quality contacts are much more effective than the shotgun approach.  Remember it’s your show.

If tickets must be sold, then sell them. You’re not the sales type person?  Sorry, not an excuse. Someone in your band is – you have to learn from them.  Do everything and anything you can to get the word out on the streets.  Remember, not only will the promoter and venue see which bands bust their ass off, the other bands will see that as well. If you’re trying to network and work alongside other bands, what makes you think they want to share a show with you in the future if you didn’t bring anybody?  Although I can go on for days on these issues, I”ll save them for another topic I’ll entitle “A Band’s Code of Ethics.”  A must read for all bands.

During the show we like to meet with all the bands to give them the run down of the schedule, start/stop times and also any special announcements we need them to plug in while on stage.  We also help load and unload your equipment on stage in order to meet our schedule.  When your on a D4D show, you will be guaranteed that the production will be on time, +/- 5 minutes.

- Working it out after the gig -

After the show is over, we then work with the venue to help clean up, discuss “numbers” towards the end of the night.  We look at total revenue made and see how well we did or didn’t do compared to our expenses.  Based upon how hard the bands worked in bringing heads through the door will help determine if they receive any cash at the end.  It’s also possible the bands may not receive any payout.  However if you look at all of the marketing and advertising including radio commercials etc, what you do walk away with is exposure and hopefully new fans. After this is said and done, we then move on to our next show, next venue.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always run as smooth.  There are issues we run into from time to time such as venues canceling dates on us or bands canceling on the day of the show, even after getting them 1 – 2 weeks worth of airplay on the radio and their bands name is printed all over town… We always try to minimize our risks and keep the drama to a minimum, next to none.

For those bands who actually took the time to read this, considering you didn’t already know all of this, I hope you have a better insight and understanding of the other side.  Working together with the promoter can have desirable results for you and your band.

D4D Entertainment is the biggest and strongest supporters of unsigned, underground music.  We are also your one stop shop for Booking, Promotions, Advertising and Marketing, Radio Commercials, Merchandising, Graphic Design, Printing Services, Music Equipment, Photography, Videos, Studio Recording, CD duplications and the strength of unity for Independent Musicians and bands.  Plus, there’s more.  Our relationships with experts in these various fields allows us to get you the best possible costs.  We are also proud to announce that we are currently working with various sponsors to make all of this a reality. You can visit us at www.myspace.com/d4dentertainment. I”ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.   Also, if you know of a touring band who is passing through California, send them our way.  We are the biggest and hottest spot for live music in between San Francisco and L.A.  Central California Fresno is located just 3hrs south of San Francisco and 3hrs north of Hollywood L.A. Please take a moment to visit my bands site at www.myspace.com/nativeburnlive

Rob Escamilla

Thanks again Rob!

Bark!

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The www.gigdoggy.com beta launch

Hello music lovers and gigdoggy dwellers!

First off I apologize for not having been very active on the gigdoggy front lately as time was of the essence with the launch of gigdoggy.com’s gig platform we’ve been working on.

We announced it ever so discretely these past few weeks that I’m guessing most of you don’t even know what I’m talking about – well to cut to the chase, www.gigdoggy.com is finally in beta stage and should help bands manage and centralize their gig logistics in a social and collaborative environment. Sorry for this hefty buzz-worded catch phrase but it describes the Gigdoggy platform quite well.

Before going into the details of the site let me just add that www.gigdoggy.com is in invite-only beta for now. We don’t want to rush things in order to get the right amount of feedback from the right amount of users. Added to that is the fact that we wish to grow organically to be able to scale the website smoothly. That being said all bands are welcome to request an invite – and any invited bands can send invites to any other bands of their choice.

So, how does the gigdoggy platform work?

Bands have always collaborated for the purpose of helping each other out. Whether it be to expand their fan-base, get access to a specific venue, lend a hand on a tour or a gig, or simply put on a great multi-band show, sharing gigs or collaborating on events is a must for gigging artists. That’s why the core idea is to share and collaborate around gigs:

This is a view of some shared gigs in the system (all dummy test gigs)

Gig profiles constitute the central hub through which bands will communicate their gigging needs and manage their activities:

In the logistics tab of a gig's profile bands can discuss the gigging details on the left. All messages are regrouped in the activity tab

Every time you or another band enters information, asks a question or posts a comment on a gig,  the bands following this gig receive a notification, much like Twitter handles its twits. You can see the conversation on ‘Accommodation’ in the pic above refreshed in the ‘Activity’ tab’s screen-shot bellow (in the orange frame):

So in this 'Activity' tab you'll encounter all the conversations concerning your gig

Like Twitter, bands can ‘follow’ any users they want, and doing so adds that user to the band’s ‘Network’. Building your network basically helps you create contacts and follow-up on bands that constitute potential partners, or gig swappers, for future gigs.

Bands can view tour maps of other bands of their network to see where they are headed and eventually organize a gig during a tour.

Bands can import their MySpace gigs and share them in the gigdoggy system

You can also communicate with your network and follow-up on non-gig related requests or messages through the ‘Updates’ page:

A band's 'Update' Page

I think I’ve reviewed enough of our platform’s features for now. On the top right hand of the blog you’ll see a clickable banner that will take you to the site.

Greg is sharing the first gig on gigdoggy in Montreal! So to get an idea of how the system works you can check out his gig profile.

I would just like to mention that although we have put a lot of thought into this, we are completely open to any type of feedback we can get and will respond to each question, each demand, each suggestion users will send our way.

Our vision is still a work in progress. The only thing we ask of bands and artists who sign-up is to not hold back on their input, ideas, thoughts and concepts.

At the bottom of all pages you’ll encounter a feedback text box like the one you see bellow.

Use and abuse this text box as you see fit!

We thank you all for your support up to this day.

Mruff !

PS: concerning the blog – finally took care of that awful green font color and replaced with a soothing blue (admit you’re soothed. admit it!). Our doggy also has undergone a little make-over. We caught him oranged-pawed walking through through the blog. He was nervous with his new ‘GigBloggy’ denomination but has now accepted it and is currently waggin’ his tail and all.

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