How some bands get booked at festivals and other gigs

Average good Festival gets between 1500 & 3000 submissions of artists looking to play them every year. So do your homework and research all the acts that have appeared on them previously and try to realistically determine if your act is really ready and good enough to compete with the likes of all of them or don’t waste your time and the festival’s time just because you have a dream of playing on festivals. I am of course talking about REAL FESTIVALS that actually hire and pay artists, who have a reputation and can draw enough people to buy tickets to see them to cover the costs of having them appear on the event.
Tom Wiggims –www.sonicbids.com/StGabrielsCelestialBrassBand

You have to do it with a year’s planning in mind. I mean when you apply, realize that it’s for next year’s festivals. Also keep in mind that many of those acts are chosen after trying to get in several times before. So the upshot is, get right to it ! The good part is that often festivals have acts signed up that suddenly can’t do the show for whatever reason, and they do call-backs on people who applied but didn’t get in. Many years ago this happened for me more than a few times. And once you slip in as a replacement act you automatically are ain’t better standing for getting in on the next festival. Go online and search out states arts festivals – every state I know of has several. You can either apply online or request a packet and they’ll send it to you in the mail. There are also special events like company sponsored festivals, or “theme” based ones like biker rallies, fairs and so on, so choose one that fits your band.

Get as many applications and packets out there as possible. With some effort I doubt you guys will be disappointed. Also if you need a sample contract (if by chance the event agreement is not sufficient) then you can download one at my site.

Your local Chamber of Commerce is an EXCELLENT resource for some potentially very cool gigs.

Irminsul – www.irminsul.biz

As a solo act, I’ve often used the Chamber of Commerce for lots of new towns that I wanted to access. The phone numbers are always easy to find, and they are always very helpful. They have lists of bars and other venues to play in, also names of large companies in their area that have summer picnics & Xmas parties and such. It got me a lot of work back in the ’90’s, when I kept my pro packet up to date.You do occasionally get into a situation that just feels uncomfortable, doing this, when you stumble into a place you’re unsuited for, but overall it was what kept me going musically for a few years.

If I had a band, that’s definitely one option I would look into for places to play.

Philbymon – www.bandmix.com/philbymon

In the past 7 years that I’ve been gigging in Montreal I’ve done pretty much most of the P2P (pay to play) scene. Some festivals, some open mics and some free acoustic loft shows. It’s all fun untill you realise that if you’re serious – all these local gigs are a waste of time except the stage experience. And you need to work more on your product (i.e.: music production, recording, design, band image, ect.) rather than jump on every gig offered to you and play 30 shows a year in one city
Den – www.myspace.com/templeofdush

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