Musician Gigs: How to Book Shows as an Independent Artist

Navigating the music world as a new independent artist is a lot like merging onto the freeway in an electric microcar. You're just one musician, jumping headfirst into a large, fast-paced industry filled with countless obstacles and opportunities. Many musicians make the mistake of focusing solely on their music without understanding the business side. That's where we love to provide assistance!

You've worked hard to learn your craft and create beautiful music; now, we'll give you the tips needed to create a strategic roadmap to effectively promote your music, connect with fans, and secure gigs. By harnessing the power of both traditional tools and the digital era's ever-evolving resources, you can unlock new possibilities and carve out a successful path in today's competitive music landscape. These 10 steps provide a solid starting point for new bands and solo artists to escalate their art into higher-profile gigs.

Step 1: Build a Strong Following of Hardcore Fans

The key to securing musician gigs lies in your ability to demonstrate to venue owners that your performances can draw substantial crowds, thereby guaranteeing them profit. Cultivating a strong, passionate fanbase that eagerly attends your shows is crucial. Engage deeply with your listeners online; convert these digital followers into loyal concert-goers who hang on your every word and show up en masse to your performances.

In today’s content-driven landscape, consistent engagement is essential. Document and share all facets of your musical journey—from rehearsals and live performances to the day-to-day experiences of your band. Utilize social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube to share behind-the-scenes videos of your album production, rehearsals, and other candid moments. This approach not only helps in building a connection with your audience but also enhances your visibility online.

By maintaining an authentic and vibrant online presence, you will not only attract followers but also significantly increase your chances of filling venues to capacity. Venue promoters are constantly on the lookout for bands that not only perform well but can also guarantee a full house. Show them that you have a dedicated following ready to attend your gigs, and you’ll find yourself booking more shows as an independent artist.

Step 2: Create a Professional EPK

In today's digital landscape, having a professional Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is indispensable for any artist. An EPK acts as your music's resume and is critical when reaching out to venues and promoters. It should encapsulate everything a promoter or venue might need to know about your band at a glance.

Your EPK should include detailed information about your band, including member biographies, contact details, a discography, links to your music, social media profiles, and any relevant media coverage. It should also feature high-quality photos, your band's logo, and footage of live performances. Creating an eye-catching, comprehensive EPK can significantly increase your chances of being noticed and subsequently booked for musician gigs.

When crafting your EPK, aim for clarity and conciseness in design and content. This may involve collaborating with a professional designer who can help create a visually appealing layout that effectively communicates your band's identity and accomplishments. A well-constructed EPK is your gateway to securing more musician gigs and advancing your career as an independent artist.

Step 3: Record Your 4 Best Songs into an EP

For an independent artist, recording a four-track EP consisting of your best songs is a strategic approach to capturing the attention of venues and promoters. Keep the EP concise to avoid overwhelming your listeners and focus on quality over quantity. It's also beneficial to have additional tracks recorded for potential album releases to cater to fans who desire more content.

The production of a four-track EP should be executed efficiently, whether live or through studio overdubs, ensuring it reflects your band's creativity and style authentically. Selecting the right studio, sound engineer, and producer is crucial as their expertise will significantly influence the quality of your EP. A professionally mixed and well-presented EP can serve as a key asset in showcasing your music's potential to venues and promoters, thereby facilitating the booking of more musician gigs.

Moreover, producing a substantial number of EP copies to distribute freely is vital for marketing and networking purposes. This not only helps in promoting your music but also opens doors to new opportunities for live performances, essential for mastering how to book shows as an independent artist.

For more information on composing and recording music, make sure to read our articles on digital audio workstations, sample libraries, song writing tips, music gear, and more.

Step 4: Send Your EP or EPK to Venues and Promoters

Our step 4 is dependent on steps 2 and 3. Once you have a high-quality EP and a compelling EPK, the next step is to actively reach out to potential venues and promoters. These materials should be sent to anyone who can assist in booking and promoting your musician gigs. The professionalism of your EPK and the quality of your music contained within the EP are crucial in making a strong first impression.

When venues and promoters review your submission, the quality of your music and the presentation of your EPK can be decisive factors. Ensure that your music is of the highest quality possible, suitable for the venues you are targeting. Even if you are just starting out and aiming for smaller venues, presenting your music in the best light possible will help you move up to larger stages and more significant events.

Additionally, it's important to tailor your communications to reflect the level of professionalism expected by larger venues. This includes not only the music quality but also the manner in which you present your EPK and communicate with potential bookers. By ensuring your submissions are top-notch, you increase your chances of making a lasting impression and securing those crucial musician gigs.

Step 5: Connect With and Open for Other Local Bands

Networking with other local bands that are further along in their careers can be an invaluable strategy for breaking into the music scene. Collaborating with these bands not only helps you gain exposure but can also provide critical learning opportunities on how to book shows as an independent artist.

Organizing concerts featuring multiple bands can greatly appeal to venues as it promises a larger draw and potential profitability through door sales and bar revenue. Showcasing your willingness to collaborate and contribute to the success of a multi-act event can make venues more inclined to book you for future gigs, including opening slots and possibly headlining performances.

Additionally, fostering relationships with other bands in your rehearsal space and attending their shows can enhance your reputation within the local music community. Being actively engaged and well-known among your peers can lead to more opportunities to perform, as bands often recommend acts they respect and enjoy. This network of musicians can be crucial in helping you find more musician gigs and grow your presence in the industry.

Step 6: Send Follow-up Emails

UX Website Laptop Mobile Phone Typing User Interface

To effectively secure musician gigs, it’s vital to send out professional-looking, personalized follow-up emails to venues and promoters. This helps keep your band top-of-mind and can prompt further discussion and potential bookings.

Avoid sending casual or unprofessional emails from non-business email addresses, as these can undermine your professionalism. Instead, use a dedicated email service that allows you to send well-designed messages featuring your band's logo, HTML formatted designs, and direct links to your music, videos, website, and crucially, your EPK from Step 3.

A professionally crafted email should include visually appealing elements and direct, clickable links that invite promoters and venues to explore your band further. This method not only increases the chances of your emails being read but also significantly enhances the likelihood of sparking interest in your music and securing those essential musician gigs.

Step 7: Promote Yourself at Venues that Attract Fans of Your Genre

Understanding where to book shows as an independent artist involves identifying venues that cater to fans of your music genre. This ensures that your performances are placed in front of the most receptive audiences, which is critical for building your following and enhancing your reputation.

Start by performing at smaller, local venues to gain experience and confidence—places like local cafés or open mic nights are great for this. As you build your presence, consider approaching venues known for supporting your genre, whether it’s a bar that hosts psychedelic rock nights or a club that has a weekly folk music evening.

For bands ready to progress to larger venues or go on tour, it’s important to research and connect with potential venues and other bands, especially those in other regions. Networking and offering to swap gigs can be a powerful way to expand your reach and secure more musician gigs in new locations.

Step 8: Try an Online Booking Platform

Online platforms can be invaluable for independent artists learning how to book shows. However, they tend to come with pros and cons that work for some artists, but not others. So, we've done extensive reviews of some of the more popular ones, like GigSalad, GigMaster, and SonicBids, to help users know what to expect. They require a financial investment, they offer significant opportunities for exposure and booking live performances.

Other platforms like Backstage Pro provide a comprehensive directory of venues and a community for musicians to find support acts and coordinate gig-swapping. Exploring these platforms can help you connect with other bands, apply for festivals, and book shows in various cities, which is essential for expanding your reach and securing more musician gigs.

Utilize these platforms not only to book shows but also to engage with a community of musicians and industry professionals who can offer valuable insights and opportunities for growth.

Step 9: Handout Business Cards and Swag

Having business cards is crucial for any independent artist. They provide a professional way to share your contact information quickly and effectively at gigs, networking events, and meetings with potential promoters.

Additionally, consider creating branded merchandise such as t-shirts and stickers. These items can be sold at shows, given away as promotions, or used to thank venues and promoters for booking your band. Swag not only helps in promoting your band at events but also serves as a reminder of your music, helping to maintain visibility and enhance audience recall, which is essential for securing repeat musician gigs.

Step 10: Use a CRM to Manage and Attract More Leads

For bands and musicians, managing contacts and opportunities efficiently is crucial. Instead of relying on spreadsheets, consider using a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool. CRMs are designed to help you keep track of all interactions with venues and promoters, ensuring you follow up appropriately and at the right times.

Popular CRM tools for musicians include HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho. These tools can help you manage your contacts, track your email interactions, and schedule follow-ups, which are critical components of successfully booking shows and managing your music career.

By implementing a CRM, you can ensure that no opportunity for booking musician gigs is missed and that you maintain professional relationships effectively, significantly enhancing your ability to book shows as an independent artist.