NWB - Community Blog

We're always happy to just see the band and if they only bring their respective 'others'we're still just as happy.
We don't necesserily ask anyone to bring a following because we know thats not always possible.
We've had 1 week so far when there was only about 6 of our regulars in, but we still had a blast and enjoyed the music.
So for us I guess, as long as we enjoy it, any extra trade is a bonus not necesserily a must.

Thing is on here Mockinbird most of us are covers bands and don't have that issue.
I know alot of the members of the bands have played in original bands and this issue has been brought up a couple of times in the past, ie bring a crowd and you get a gig.

A couple of our old band members were in and still are in original bands and they are playing the usual venues around Manchester.
They do ok but there is no way they have a following of 40 plus following in my opinion that is a good following.


Cheers

Ace

Any venue should be happy you bringing 40+ people to a gig.

Like Ace said cover bands don't really have that problem, they are paid by venues to come and entertain the locals...any extra people the band bring should be a bonus. Local people will come see you when you play their own town, promotion is necessary but it needs to be targeted. No point promoting a gig in Burnley to people who live in Oldham, it's just not going to happen.

Dean.

Hi guys.Think most venues would be delighted if a band took 40 people whether they be a covers band or originals.
Dave[Rocker]

Bloody hell! 40 people! 40! that's 20 times as many mates as I've got (and that's including his dog!)

@ Ace and SB............Y'know sometimes cover bands do have that problem, in my experience anyways. Had a few venues (which I won't name) after booking covers bands and declaring they need a certain amount of people brought by the band specifically to secure the agreed fee. (one cheeky monkey said a minimum of 50 or no pay at all! he was told where to go........)

But taking 40 people with you is a good result guys, if you can keep expanding that fanbase you'll be calling the shots to the venues soon! :)

Frankie

ANY regular following is brilliant in the current climate. It gets tougher when everyone's married and has kids etc.
Jon

# Posted by The Kicks - 02/12/2009, 14:01 (GMT)
"declaring they need a certain amount of people brought by the band specifically to secure the agreed fee"
--------------------------------------

You just wouldn't agree to the gig then right? I could tell you about a conversation I once had with a LL about this which ended up me hanging up, but I'd be afraid of being accused of slander or sommat for telling the truth.

Dead right SB. I dont think a venue would like it if they booked you for a 2 hour set and pulled it after half an hour cos there wasnt many in. Likewise it's a c**t's trick to try and fob a band off with a small percentage of their fee cos it's quieter than they expect.

Frankie Soapbox

Well it's still a very respectable turn out anyways folks...............just been having a sken at your setlist. Some very imaginative cover material there! Good stuff :)

I feel for you mate. This is what seems to happen to most original bands. This is where it's who you know not what you comes into play. Unless you have a contact that means you can circumvent the hard slog it pretty much much comes down to thrashing yourself for little gain. The industry seems to be centralised to big city venues. This where you're likely to get noticed by A&R or someone who can pull strings. Smaller venues in or out of town are in competition with each other so it's all about bums on seats and you can't rely on friends and family for long. It's not the venues fault, it's business and lots are going under. I personally think its the fault of people trying to make money out of peoples efforts, dreams and talents and turning the artform in to a cash making exercise(Simon Cowell). Try to stick to small festivals or supporting bigger acts at the barfly or similar as this will ensure maximum exposure to new fans. Alternatively, hire a function room and advertise. Invite industry people down. Do as much as you can online too. 40 is a good crowd for originals. Keep the faith man and Good Luck.

It depends what you're getting paid for the gig I suppose. If you're not getting paid then it's not fair to expect you to bring a crowd. I'd be well impressed with 40 people though that's for sure!!

What were you paid for the gigs??

It all depends what you want to gain from it too, is the aim to get signed/make it big, etc.? If so then flogging yourself at loads of little local gigs is unlikely to make it happen. Do some of these, enjoy yourselves, gain experience, but then what?

I'm pretty sure it was Elbow that said they were playing loads of gigs and at first their family/mates supported them but after a while the numbers started to dwindle off, so they changed their name, played less gigs but flogged the ones they did do so they were really busy & then played a blinder at it obviously!!

Alternatively the bloke from Franz Ferdinand was fed up of the problems in the local music scene so started organising his own music events (similar to what 'Bad Reputation' suggested in the above post) to fairly showcase his band & others and it really took off.

If you organised an event yourself and you get to keep the ticket money then it's up to you how many people you try to get to your event. We don't even charge people to hire our venue.

Finally, if it were me then I would go out as a cover band & any money you make gets ploughed back into the band, for a P.A. or a cheap van to get you to gigs, to pay for a coach to take a crowd with you to a worthwhile gig, etc.

It just doesn't make sense to me to have the ability to play music & be in a band and not make some easy money to support your other band - it's £150 - £200 for a few hours work doing something you enjoy!!