How much do bands cost?
Where can I put a gig on?
etc etc.
Do some research - talk to promoters or agents, venues, whatever.
It's a business, not a fucking hobby. There's few things worse when you're playing a gig with a promoter than doesn't know what he/she is doing. It usually ends in a fucking mess.
Surely this IS a bit of research
and if doing this will improve a promoter's knowledge of what they're doing then you should want to encourage it?
true
also, everyone has to start somewhere, a bit of free advice from a messageboard never hurt anybody, it'd be better to get some idea of what you're doing before the gig, rather than totally balls it up.
I totally did it as a hobby when I put on shows and it worked out ok.
"It's a business, not a fucking hobby."
i agree to an extent, but people with this attitude normally put on loads of shite.
very true
it needs to be respected as both if you want a certain reputation
Fair enough then
I come on a big strong. And I don't like businessy types (must bring 20 people jobs).
A big strong what?
I think you need to chill out a bit.
These same threads you have mentioned come up every six months or so and have done for the last few years.
People put on nights. Get over it.
And fyi, a lot of brilliant nights have been born out of people's "hobbies"... It's about the music, man... share the and chill.
*share the love and chill.
(whoops)
and finally, dont ypu think that
people starting, writing and posting on said threads is part of the research? I mean, look at where we are - it's a MUSIC FORUM. Lots of people on DiS put on nights. Lots.
it's not a fucking business
All the best gigs are DIY!
i wouldn't agree with this
the best ones are the ones run professionally but with a DIY attitude.
Zonino!
IT'S NOT A BUSINESS
It's a business in some cases. In loads of cases it's a hobby. In most it should be somewhere inbetween. I've been a hobby promoter for years on and off, as have loads of my mates and their gigs are way better than bullshit academy or barfly shows.
Anyone who considers music and anything to do with it as 100% business depresses me.
it is not a business
if it were a business at the first signs that a show wouldn't make money you would pull it, rather than do a show in the knowledge that it will be amazing and yet you will still lose money.
I've lost loads of money on shows and yet i still do it. As long as you ensure you can pay the band (especially if they are touring and not local), and fulfill the guarantee (if there was one).
I think what you mean is you need to be professional and organised...but it can still be a hobby.
If i wanted to be a buisness id book crystal castles or the ting tings, instead i book music i love, and am prepared to make a short term loss for the long term balance to work out.
A friend of mine years ago put on an unsigned band from the US who had self released their first record. They played in front of 20 people....then the next tour it was 40....and now everyone and his wife is proclaiming how great the national are... so it pays off in the long run. But boy did we loose money on some of those shows
^^
This!
I felt quite proud at ATP that over the years I'd put on at least 3 of the acts playing and had also tried to sort shows for some others.
I don't know how much I've lost ove rthe years but it's not a small amount that's for sure. If I just wanted to make money I'd put on all the big touring bands or just a load fo local bands who are guaranteed to bring al their friends/family etc regardless of whether i actually liked them or not!
and
i'd learn to type and spell properly too!
i'm still amazed
that people want to get into it at all!
it can be great and all that but the fun soon stops when you don't get enough people through the door and end up losing a shitload of money!
everyones..
...got to start from somewhere.
Surely you'd rather a promoter gets a bit of advise so its doesnt turn into a 'fucking mess' right?
Any questions??
I have seen no support at all for this forum thread and rightly so. It made me so mad - I signed up.....is this a DiS ruse???
We only put on small and occasional gigs (100 - 1000) and usually in association with various promoters in the area.
There is little money in it but there is a massive buzz from a night well done and massive lows and self-loathings from missing a trick but if you are starting and have any questions we are more than happy to try and help if we can. If we can't - at least you asked....
Miserable f****ng world when we can't help each other out eh. Ours is a business - but we don't live for the money - we live for the music.
^ very little money to be made in music, anyway...
i'm gonnsa stick a rocket up your arse!
Great attitude, there.
The more people do DIY nights, the less 'Malcolm Griffiths' and 'Karl At The Bullet Bar' (both London-centric) types there will be.