How can I get a band I like some gigs?

weird · 09-07-2009 8:23am #1

There is a band I really like from the U.S. who I'd like to bring over to Ireland for some gigs. Problem is I am not really hooked in with any of the scenesters over here.

Ideally, I just need a venue in Dublin, Cork, Galway and maybe Belfast.

How does getting something like this together work? What steps do I need to take?

seanvox · 09-07-2009 10:21am

What band is it?

weird · 09-07-2009 10:27am

seanvox wrote: »

What band is it?

They're called "Season to Risk"

iamhunted · 09-07-2009 12:36pm

is it going to be worth the cost in bringing them over? An unknown band will either have to hire the venue and hope to get the punters in or convince the venue to pay them some cash ... original bands dont get paid as well as cover bands so you;d be lucky to be paid 200e a gig. in a band coming over from the states you need to count in transport and backline hire as well per gig.

seanvox · 09-07-2009 1:05pm

For such an inactive band this is a bad idea

won ereh eb · 09-07-2009 1:23pm

He didnt ask if you all thought it was a good idea, he asked how would he set up gigs.

Sent you a PM with some details

seanvox · 09-07-2009 3:51pm

And I was offering my opinion

iamhunted · 09-07-2009 4:39pm

the first bit of organising gigs is working out if they're worth organising, won ereh eb.

weird · 10-07-2009 8:14am

won ereh eb, thanks for the information.

The rest of ye act like American bands never play Ireland ffs. :rolleyes:

-Chris- · 10-07-2009 8:47am

Am I reading that correctly - their only date booked for this year is in November?

weird · 10-07-2009 9:09am

-Chris- wrote: »

Am I reading that correctly - their only date booked for this year is in November?

Yeah, they have other commitments (other bands), they've been playing for 20 some odd years. Coming to Ireland is more of a working holiday than a "tour". It isn't meant to be profitable, hence why I am happy to pay for the costs myself with little return.

I am not asking people if they like this band. I am not asking if they think it is some financial viable move. I simply want to know who I need to contact to book a venue, what I need to do to advertise the gig.

Even if I have to hire out a venues myself and promote the gig myself I will... no big deal.

The only thing is I need some help naviagting through the cronyism that is Ireland's music scene.

In the lifetime of the band they've played thousands of gigs. Playing gigs with just about every indie or "alternative" gourp since the 90s, they even opened for Iggy Pop once.

iamhunted · 10-07-2009 9:57am

decide what towns/cities you want this band to play at, research and find out the best venues in each area and ring the venues. It'll either be the venue looking after bookings or a promotor. if its a promoter, the venue will tell you who it is. Its really quite simple. if you want to do it right you'll also need to contact the local press and radio and arange interviews for nearer the time. as I mentioned already, be prepared to spend money to rent the places.

btw american bands do play ireland, but they normally have booking agents to organise their gigs. no need to be so touchy.

Dord · 10-07-2009 10:37am

Be prepared to make a loss, because it's most likely that you will. Still if you really want the band over here then do it... or else just book a flight over to the US and go see them play there.

weird · 10-07-2009 3:35pm

Dord wrote: »

Be prepared to make a loss, because it's most likely that you will. Still if you really want the band over here then do it... or else just book a flight over to the US and go see them play there.

Yeah, I figured as much, just really looking for information on how the process works over here and the people to get in contact with.

Nalced_irl · 10-07-2009 3:39pm

As others said, try contact some venues and get prices etc for renting the door. You could also try and contact event organisers who put on music nights around the city. Someone like these: http://www.myspace.com/gigevent. Only done one event with them myself but was well put together. Of course this way you wouldnt get anything from the door but you also dont have to rent a venue.

383Ger · 10-07-2009 4:02pm

My opinion...you have no experience in putting on a concert, so you might as well throw your money straight down the drain. Band is not well known, therefore venues owners/bookers are not going to be any help to you. Sure they'll take your money but you will assume 100% of the risk. Say you do get your venue booked, how you gonna promote it? PR/marketing costs more money, and you don't have the experience to get the best deals and know what you're getting is right for you. Believe me when I tell you, experienced people in the business will see you coming a mile away...
If you do get as far as the band coming in and playing, if you haven't sold your tickets, you won't want them to be playing to a half empty venue and you'll end up giving them away. I have worked in the business for over 20 years and I wouldn't take this on. As another poster says, go and see them playing abroad...less stress too!!

How can I get a band I like some gigs?

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