How do you set up a tribute act?

Daavid

As the title says - Can anyone give me any pointers?

sogood

I imagine the first thing you do is replicate the original band line up, the number in the band, males/ females, who plays what etc. and if they can look at all like the originals, then all the better. Then you have to play and sound like the originals, after that, I'm not sure. Also as a footnote, a catchy/clever name for your band based upon the original bands name is usually no harm. You cant go around calling yourself DEF Leppard, cos you're not, but DEAF Leopard maybe?

Who do you want to be a tribute band to? Hope I understood your question, as it seems pretty obvious to me!

Daavid

Thanks for the response - I'm thinking more a one man tribute thing, like Frank Sinatra, or Rod Stewart..... Prince, Wacko Jacko, that sort of thing. Any pointers?

User2

Not being a smart ass but my suggestion would be moving to Las Vegas if your serious about making money

Arcto

Daavid wrote: »

Thanks for the response - I'm thinking more a one man tribute thing, like Frank Sinatra, or Rod Stewart..... Prince, Wacko Jacko, that sort of thing. Any pointers?

Dont do it!!! For the love of christ!!!!

Sinatra however is a legend.

illgetyourcoat

if youre serious about this, your best bet is pick one and stick to it, sanatra is most definately the classier of them all, if you sound like him then youre golden, if you down, try to, learn to, lookin like him isnt the biggest deal tho, like to be fair charile chaplin entered a charile chaplin look alike contest and came third, so its not as important as the other stuff

Daavid

Thanks all - hahaha love the reactions, actually none of the names given were the act I was thinking. I was actually thinking Bowie, spanning all his era's, but using backing tracks instead of a band because getting a band together seems to be almost impossible these days.
The Chaplin comment reminds me of a fairly recent short movie called "I Am Bob". Anyone seen it? Bob Geldof is in it, he enters a stars lookalike thing and loses to another bob, very funny.

bayles

Gettin a band together for what your trying to do isint difficult at all , finding musicians who can play there instruments well however is the hard part , you just need to know where and how to look for them.
In my opinion (for what its worth) if you use backing tracks you will die a death (eventually) , the novilty will wear off and people just wont want to go and see you and its very hard to put on a good show when your on your own on stage ......Bowie had a band so why shouldnt you .
Another problem you would have is venues would find it very hard to justify paying you a decent wage for putting on your show when your on your own.... "you want how much buddy.......i can get a dj for half that" .
It sounds silly but if a venue thinks its getting a band they find it easier to justify forking out caus they can see what they are getting ,in my expierence anyway.
The trick to this is "you are David Bowie" this is your thing , when you go on stage nobody notices what musicians you have behind you, they dont care they only know that "you are David Bowie" so you use session musicians there are lots of excellent musicians out there who dont want to get tied down with one band and lots of session musicians who make a living playing with acts like yours . Here is a good example , im a bass player i session played with one singer for two months and in those two months i was the only regular guy in the band. If you advertise (for example) for three guitarists three drummers etc etc ... agree a wage for each musician per gig it would be a good way to get your act out and about and if you can offer regular work to session musicians they wont let you down, you could even do it county by county that way you can pick up gigs all over the country and all you have to do is pick up the phone ring your musicians in that county and your sorted .
If you do what your trying to do correct it is a licence to print money but you have to be 100% into it , otherwise venues will put you down as a joker and wont have you back. If you got a good band behind you and your act is good VENUES WILL PAY

Daavid

Thanks for the sound advice bayles. I'm defo into taking on the character as you've mentioned. I'll start the search I suppose. Much appreciated.

Dave

bayles

If your based in dublin i might be able to hook you up with some top musicians if there not busy . These guys dont suffer fools gladly so your show would have to be pretty much ready to roll .
They would be looking for a wage for rehearsals and gigs but if you do your figures correct all this should be covered in your first show , to begin with i wouldnt be trying to make a massive profit of the first show just break even at best . to do this right you may need some initial outlay but if your savy you will get it back . PM me with your details if your interested and i might be able to hook you up with them

Daavid

Thanks Bayles - Certainly wouldn't be ready to start paying people for rehearsals, but I'll keep it in mind. Cheers.
Dave

davylee

Daavid wrote: »

Thanks for the response - I'm thinking more a one man tribute thing, like Frank Sinatra, or Rod Stewart..... Prince, Wacko Jacko, that sort of thing. Any pointers?

If you're the singer/frontman surely the most important factor is who's voice can u best emutate - you have fairly different sounding singers.
I couldn't agree more with bayles - backing tracks are a no go
Eventually you will fall flat imo
Saw a rod stewart tribute not so long ago
He died a slow death - backing tracks have to take most of the blame - nothing was live only his voice which is not enough at 12 o clock - even when everyone is steaming - a disco would have been better