Putting on a gig?

Bob Z

Has anyone here tried putting on a gig? Im not in a band but was thinking of organising a gig? Apart from possibly lossing money is there any other pitfalls?

raindog.promo

Lots of effort required if you want to put on a decent gig. Work with dependable people and bands or do everything yourself or else have money to pay for services.

That being said, it's a great buzz if the night goes well and quite a rush when you break even and then start making profit. The anxiety of wondering if anyone will turn up is a killer.

off.the.walls

Bob Z wrote: »

Has anyone here tried putting on a gig? Im not in a band but was thinking of organising a gig? Apart from possibly lossing money is there any other pitfalls?

I used to do it i remember one night i had four people show up then another night i had 127 people show up so its good if your good at organizing things but if you don't have the time to put into it then it wont work for ya

Bob Z

what gets the crowd for thes sort of things? Word of mouth or Advertising?

HeartShake

Without wanting to sound dickish, why do you want to put on a gig?

Is it to make money? Get bands seen? Have a laugh?

These will essentially decide what kind of gig you put on, how much effort you put in, etc.

Bob Z

HeartShake wrote: »

Without wanting to sound dickish, why do you want to put on a gig?

Is it to make money? Get bands seen? Have a laugh?

These will essentially decide what kind of gig you put on, how much effort you put in, etc.

Its a mixture of getting bands seen and (moreso) having a laugh/something to do

Bob Z

i dont really want to make money but i would like to break even and pay a couple of people if possible

Rigsby

Bob Z wrote: »

what gets the crowd for thes sort of things? Word of mouth or Advertising?

Both, but in particular the latter. Put up posters at least a week in advance. Text everyone you know, and get them to text their friends. Even then, there are never any guarentees as to numbers, but by doing the above you have given yourself the best chance of a good turn out.

off.the.walls

Rigsby wrote: »

Both, but in particular the latter. Put up posters at least a week in advance. Text everyone you know, and get them to text their friends. Even then, there are never any guarentees as to numbers, but by doing the above you have given yourself the best chance of a good turn out.

facebook
gigs and events forum
gumtree
text yer mates
put up posters
moshspace
team up with another promoter with a good following.

Rigsby

off.the.walls wrote: »

facebook
gigs and events forum
gumtree
text yer mates
put up posters
moshspace
team up with another promoter with a good following.

Yeah, that too....:D

drumdrum

Target specific music websites and forums as well as general ones like boards.

If its a metal gig, go to metalireland ....ya get the jist!


As for putting on gigs, I suggest maybe trying to partner up with a band who are getting ready to promote a CD / EP / whatever.....
NOT trying to feed off of their success, but rather work with the band so that basically all they need to do is rehearse and get ready for the gig leaving everything else to you. They will do their best to be amazing for the show (as they have a stake in it what with the CD involved) and if YOU do your part and promote the heck out of the band, the place can be jumping before you know it!

putting on a gig, like so much in the music biz, is always taking a risk, but man is it worth it when it pays off!

cordragza

1 Get bands who people want to see.
2 Pick a venue in a desirable location and a good night for punters, weekend ideally.
3 Keep costs to the very minimum.
4 Hustle any irish forum related to the style of music on show to generate word of mouth.
5 Keep Costs to the very minimum.
and finally.... Keep costs to the very minimum.

goblin59

iv done alot of gigs and worked crew at gigs before. it can be very complicated and expensive to do.

are you planning on working with local or international bands?

Bob Z

Local bands. It would be in a thetre not a nightclub or pub

goblin59

in a theater? that can work out very expensive. have you contacted any potential theaters for pricing and worked out initial costs yet?

I can help you do it, but im away to germany for wacken for 2 weeks so can help after i get back

HeartShake

Which theatre? Generally they're expensive though some are great and do splits with bands.

Bob Z

goblin59 wrote: »

in a theater? that can work out very expensive. have you contacted any potential theaters for pricing and worked out initial costs yet?

I can help you do it, but im away to germany for wacken for 2 weeks so can help after i get back

yes its a theatre i work and asked them about pricing. They take a cut of 30 per cent i would also have to pay sound guy up front

I wouldnt have to pay any of the other staff eg bar staff, other technicians, box office but if i actually did make a profit i would give a few pounds

Bob Z

HeartShake wrote: »

Which theatre? Generally they're expensive though some are great and do splits with bands.

Yes they are doing a split

HeartShake

Hmmmm....you're in Blanch right?

goblin59

Bob Z wrote: »

yes its a theatre i work and asked them about pricing. They take a cut of 30 per cent i would also have to pay sound guy up front

I wouldnt have to pay any of the other staff eg bar staff, other technicians, box office but if i actually did make a profit i would give a few pounds

did they ask for any estimation of the amount of cash made before saying 30%?

sound engineers can also be very expensive as well to get in, as a trained student engineer I'd personally ask for around €10 an hour, but professionals might ask for up to €20+.

What about the bands as well? they're going to want to get paid too.
And have you sourced promotions. and a stage manager? every band iv worked professionally with has come with a stage manager on their tour to make sure things have gone smoothly or will you be doing that?
Backline is also very important and the venues will very rarely provide that. or in the case of some theaters there mightn't be much in the way of in house lighting.