[stephaniedema]

Hi folks!

As some of you might know, I recently starting playing open mic's. It is a lot of fun, but there's barely any around here (at least as far as I know...). I also found my artist name earlier this week (Sienna Little), so I'd love to play a bit more frequently in the future.

So, I was wondering, who has any tips on how to score gigs. Where do you start? How do you find them? Do you aim at pubs? ...

Shoot!

SD

[Boydie]

The first thing you need to do is change your mindset a little

You need to look at things from the pub/venue's point of view

They want to sell drinks and bring people in to their premises - they are not necessarily looking for the "best" most "artistict" music

Cover bands are also more of a "safe bet" for venues as they get a good idea of what they are getting and whether it suits the venue - eg a band doing heavy metal covers, a rock-abilly group etc.

eg - a cover band that brings a large following will be more attractive than an "artist" trying to showcase their original material

If you are starting out and do not yet have a following it may be worth offering an "introductory" offer of a free gig - perhaps on a quieter night

If you do this make sure you follow it up with a "sales pitch" to try and get a paid booking

Lots of venues offer deals where they split the ticket money etc. as this puts the risk, and the promotion work, on your shoulders

There are lots of other little tricks and tips but as long as you look at things from the venue's point of view you can't go too far wrong

[terrysains]

Obviously up to you but Sienna Little? Surely Sienna BIG!! Good luck. Terry Sains.

[tone]

Another way to start building a name for yourself is to approach local bands who already have gigs booked and ask if you can open for them. You can take advantage of a large audience, gain experience, and get heard by bookers at the local venues. Once they've met you and heard you it will be much easier to book gigs of your own.

Good luck!

[stephaniedema]

Thanks guys!
I'll write all your interesting pitches down

SD

[Onelabel]

I agree with all the other posts here, just get round as many of the local open mics you can and network with people. Work on your songs until you have a really tight/strong set of 5-6 songs.

You'll come across the same people from time to time, start chatting with them and look at ways of collaborating with them on new songs.

Go and talk to the owners of the local music bars and see if they have any events coming up (I'm sure they will). If necessary do a set for them as an audition.

[Ramshackles]

Where are you based?
Find local bands/promoters/venues. Check them out first - are they the right kind of music/do they put on the right kind of music? Do they put on unsigned bands (no point approaching Coldplays booking agent for example).
This website is a good place to start:
http://getagig.info/

Then approach them. Promoters/venues almost want to hear some music, so you'll need an mp3 or something.
Be honest. If they say you need x amount of fans to come, dont say sure whe you can't. It might get you somewhere to.

Be prepared to wait. Some of the more popular venues won't reply for a couple of weeks or more.

Enquire after your open mic's. Most places that do open mic's do full gigs too.
Open mic's are a gig in themselves anyway, so don't discount their power!
Me and my partner want to start playing open mic's in local pubs....I find it a particularly scary thing to do!
But I'd treat it like a proper (albeit short) sort of gig. Introduce yourself and chat like you normally would. Make it quietly know to the organiser that you will happily do more than the normal one or two perhaps?
If you do them regularly and are good, you never know, you might start pulling in a crowd to those open mic's and transform them into your own gig

[stephaniedema]

Thx

Ram, I don't think that website covers the area outside the UK (e.g. Belgium)?
I've got my first gig, Sept 13th, 40 mins, acoustic set. Nice start, ha? ^^
Another one in the pipes for the end of June and maybe one in July.
And then hopefully more after the summer break.

SD

[James Nighthawk]

40 minutes, good work! 

Most I have done in 30 (Pushed to 35) and that was only because my 20minute set was extended 'cos the first lass on got nervous and bailed after two songs.

To be fair, she was pretty naff. Utterly unrehearsed and even told us so. So she stepped aside and I got three more songs in 

Bet you are looking forward to it already after your recent open mic stints

[stephaniedema]

Thanks, man!
Yes, really looking forward to it
Probably will do all originals, very exciting!

SD

[flossie]

Well done Steph sounds like things are progressing very nicely. 

I think a very good ratio of covers to original songs is required to captivate your audience.  Pick cover songs that will interest virtually everyone to be a true crowd pleaser (and get more gigs etc) and then throw in the occasional original song 

[Dogmax]

I agree with Tone post thats the way to go if you want to get a audience to hear your songs, but another way is, a few years back myself and my wife was in Temple bar in Dublin and we had a meal in one the restaurant during the day and there was this bloke there with guitar singing his own songs, i think you need to find the area where singer songwriter are welcome in other words check out the atmosphere in places where owners and mangers would give you that moment to get your songs out there, it would help to build up your following.

Best of luck to you Steph.