13/10/2024
Just found the following on a FB group, so thought I’d repost it here:
18 things bands need to know!
1. Trashing other bands and band members in your scene isn’t hurting their rep. It’s hurting yours.
2. Acting disinterested with folded arms at the back of the room at other bands’ shows does not make you cool. Enjoying the band at the front of the stage does.
3. Looking like a rock star isn’t as important as sounding like one.
4. Image is actually important. Cargo shorts are for dads at a barbecue. Not for musicians on stage.
5. Being respectful and friendly at shows will take you much further than being superior and entitled.
6. Going to other bands’ shows is THE most important thing you can do to support your scene.
7. Your scene’s gatekeepers are friends with each other. Get in with one and you’ll get in with them all. If you p**s one off, prepare to be blacklisted.
8. You don’t need press to pack a show. You need a strong work ethic
9. Physical promotional materials are still incredibly important. Get out into the world and put up some posters and hand out some flyers. Don’t spend all of your time on Facebook. (See # 10)
10. Facebook & Instagram are dying. If your entire promotional plan relies on it, you’re screwed.
11. You need to conquer your local scene before you can hit the road. If no one cares about you locally, what makes you think people will care about you anywhere else?
12. When you play a show, make sure you get to the event early and support the other bands. This doesn't mean showing face and going outside during sets. The scene sees it.
13. Playing around town all the time weakens your draw. (Especially the same venue) Spread out your shows so you can promote one big show every 8-10 weeks.
14. HOWEVER, when you’re starting off, you need to play out everywhere and anywhere all the time to get practice. Record every show. Once YOU love listening to your live set (and non-friends and non-family tell you they love your band) then you can book real shows and charge a cover.
15. If your not good yet, you do not deserve to be paid. Get good first. Then maybe you can start charging.
16. No one in the industry cares about how good your music is. They care about how successful you have become on your own.
17. Go out of your way to help others in your scene. It will eventually come back around.
18. Promote Promote Promote. Don't ever reply on venues or the show promoters!