Bands: don’t be late

Some band’s think because the event attendees be late to events it justifies them being late as well. It absolutely doesn’t! You should always be on time especially if you’re not the only one in the line-up. Almost to every rule there’s an exception and if we want to include that wiggle room in here i would say the only time a band should push the starting time back is if there’s a large number of ticket holder on line outside.

BANDS – don’t be predictable with your playlist. Don’t play the same songs in the same order every night. Especially in the Haitian party scene where  mostly the same people support certain bands one a weekly basis, you don’t want to become to predictable. Pull a hit that they love from you old archive and surprise them once in a while. Majority of you playlist she be the latest hits.

Party-goers – don’t yell the name of a song in an effort to get the band to play it. It’s not Karaoke nor DJ night. It lacks class and most bands will never comply.

Bands: acknowledge your audience

Tickets sales –

You should make tickets available at as many locations as possible. There are many ways to sell tickets. You can make tickets available at a physicals location, online or delivery. When selling event tickets, make sure you print 100% worth of the club’s capacity and make at least 75% of the club’s capacity available in advance. You should never charge more than 35% of the original ticket price at the door. Always deliver 100% of what is included on VIP tickets. I’ve been to venues where to purchase a section in the VIP only to find another party sitting in you section which create conflicts. When giving tickets to journalist to cover your event, you should always include a VIP wristbands so the crowd and security can make differentiate the medium and the party-goers. Being able to do their job efficiently might even make you score extra points in their review.

Bands: play the hits

At any given gig, 2% of the audience don’t want to hear any hits. They want to hear the radio-session arrangement of the B-side of the unreleased single. Everyone else wants to hear your most famous songs. Not necessarily all of them – everyone knows you have a new album to promote (and, to be frank, they’re going to need a toilet break at some point anyway) – but enough to make them feel like they went to see your show and heard the songs you’re famous for. You might be sick of your most famous number after playing it 225 nights a year for the past 22 years, but your audience has not heard it played live 225 nights a year for the past 22 years. It’s something special for them, so grant them that indulgence.

Venues: tell your security they’re present to help the crowd

The big blokes with the radios aren’t there to conduct police operations. They’re there to make us – the people who’ve paid for the tickets, pay for the drinks and therefore pay their wages – feel safer. So why, so often, do security guards give every impression that their life would be a whole lot better if we weren’t there? Venue managers, please remind them that they should be facilitating our enjoyment, not suppressing it.

Venues: hire enough bar staff

Venues know roughly how many people are going to be at a show. If it’s sold out in advance, they know exactly how many people are coming. So why, at so many gigs, is it so hard to get a drink? Is it beyond the wit of venues to ensure that all bars are adequately staffed? The result might even be more bar sales, simply because you can sell more drinks to more people. Or maybe they think that, once we’re in, we can’t do what we do in a pub where we can’t get served and go elsewhere, so more fool us.

Bands: don’t be late

Some gig-goers are at the point of life when there’s little more appealing than a band starting at 7.30pm in a seated venue. But not everyone feels that way; some people like staying out late and getting the last train home. All but the most dedicated midnight vultures, however, do like to get that last train home. Being kept waiting doesn’t make the audience feel excited, it makes them feel like you don’t give a toss. Maybe you don’t – but remember who’s buying the tickets, eh? So don’t delay coming on stage until the vibe is right, like Axl Rose does. His former bandmate Richard Fortus explained that Rose has “to get into the right place within himself” before he goes on stage, which is why he might be up to three hours late. My advice? Start the whole getting-into-the-right-place process three hours earlier.

Bands: acknowledge your audience

 please try not to repeat yourself. There are fans who go to lots of shows on any given tour, and you don’t want to reveal yourself to be an automaton.

The main job of a music promoter, usually simply called a promoter, is to publicize a concert. Promoters are the people in charge of “putting on” the show. They work with agents – or in some cases, directly with the bands – and with clubs and concert venues to arrange for a show to take place.

Promoters are in charge of making sure the word gets out about that show. They also take care of arranging the incidentals, like hotels and backline for the band. In a nutshell, it is the promoter’s job to make sure things go off without a hitch. Note that this kind of promoter is different from a radio plugger or PR agent.

What Jobs a Promoter Should Do

If the promoter is not tied to a specific venue, they should:

  • Collaborate with bands and agents to agree on a date for a performance.
  • Negotiate a deal with the band/agent for the show. What fee will be paid? Will the promoter provide accommodation?
  • Book a venue for the agreed-upon date.
  • Promote the upcoming gig to the local press, social media channels and radio. They may want to put up posters and email their mailing list.
  • Make sure everything the band needs is in place, such as backline, accommodations, riders, etc.
  • Set up soundcheck times and the running order of the show.
  • Arrange for a support band.

Note: Venue-tied promoters should skip the “contact venue” step.

What the Pay Is Like

The pay for promoters varies and depends on several factors, including:

  • The deal made with the band/agent
  • How popular the artists are with whom the promoter is working

Indie music promoters can find it very hard to make money, and many indie promoters do promotion on the side of their “day jobs.” Promoters make their money off of the proceeds generated by a show.

2. Secure a venue that works for you and your night

Promoters can either have two kinds of deals with bands: Pay the band a set fee, no matter how many people buy tickets, and a door-split deal. With both deals, a promoter can easily lose money on a show. Making money as a promoter requires careful planning.

Why Promoters Need a Contract

When you are dealing with large sums of money, a contract is always a must. But many indie music promoters who know they won’t be making much money, if any, on a gig often skip the contract.

Even if no money is exchanging hands at the end of the night, though, it is still a good idea for a band and promoter to have a contract that clearly states things like whether or not the promoter will provide accommodation, who is taking care of the backline, when the soundcheck is, how long the band’s set will be, what the band will get for a rider, and of course, how any profits will be split. It helps avoid confusion later.

How to Become a Promoter

There are two ways you can get into promoting. You can contact promoters and venues in your area and offer your services and learn the ropes that way, or you can try to get your promoting career off the ground yourself.

If you want to work for yourself, start small. Pick a favorite local band and offer to promote a show for them. Book the venue, contact the local media, get the word out on social media and put up some posters advertising the show. If you do a good job, other bands will find you, and as you become an established promoter in your area, bands from out of the area will find you as well.

Making Money as a Promoter

Promoters who work with megastars who sell out huge venues can make some serious money. But indie music promoters can easily find themselves working all day, every day, and only getting deeper into debt. Many promoters have a day job that supports their promotion job. If you want to become a promoter, you need a clear understanding of the money involved, and you need to make deals with bands and venues very carefully.

For any given show, a promoter’s expenses may include:

  • Venue rental
  • Advertising (posters, media advertisements, online marketing costs, etc.)
  • Backline rentals
  • Accommodation for the band
  • Rider
  • Payment for the band

8. Venues: have a booking office and sell tickets in advance

Most of us buy our tickets online these days. Partly because it’s convenient, but often because it’s the only way. So we get charged booking fees, handling fees, offered ticket insurance, charged p&p, and the cost rises. Here’s a novel idea from the past: venues should sell tickets directly, with no hidden charges, to people who turn up with cash. Pub venues could sell tickets from behind the bar in advance. Who knows, the person buying might even stay for a drink. You can still do this at theatres. What makes venues so very different, apart from the unholy alliance of venue owners, promoters and ticket agencies?

9. Venues: if you double-book a night, make sure your planning is top-notch

The venue that has two events running consecutively on the same night is asking for trouble. I recall a show at Koko in London one Friday night, where ticket holders had not been warned it was an early start owing to a club night taking place afterwards. Which meant a good chunk of the crowd arrived a good half-hour or more into the show. At the end of the gig, the clubbers were let in as the gig-goers were departing, leading to a rather tense struggle in the narrow exit corridor. At another pub venue, I recall an early gig overrunning, with the result that the band I’d come to see didn’t get on till 90 minutes after the scheduled time, and could only play 20 minutes. It’s your venue: if you’re going to wring every drop of revenue out of it, make sure you’re not doing so at the expense of punters.

10. Venues: don’t oversell, and make sure the promoter doesn’t

It’s you who’ll get blamed if people with tickets are turned away; it’s you who’ll get blamed if the people inside feel as if they’re one more person away from a panic attack; it’s you who’ll get blamed if the number of people causes some to get injured in a crush. And yet still it happens. As Henry Rollins put it: “I have never experienced anything like walking out on to the stage of an oversold venue and, before the first note is struck, realising that there is not going to be enough oxygen for all of us.” Being in a full venue is exciting; being in an oversold one is uncomfortable at best, and terrifying at worst.

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If you want to attract a crowd to your concert, you must promote it. Whether you’re working as an event organizer or you work for a venue, church, PR firm, band, speaker, or performer, there are things you can do to promote your concert. The following concert promotion tips will help you attract larger audiences and sell more tickets.

CONCERT PROMOTION TIPS FOR VENUE OWNERS

Venue owners can do many things to enjoy a better turnout for each of their events, so the event is a success and artists and event planners will be more likely to use their facilities again in the future. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

STRATEGIC SCHEDULING

One of the first issues you should address is scheduling, because all of your promotional efforts depend on strategic scheduling. Consider any competing events that are taking place in your area on any given date as well as holidays that could negatively affect turn out for your event.

For example, if you’re booking a popular rock band, don’t schedule your event on the same night that an even more popular band is performing nearby. In general, the bigger the act, the further in advance the date is scheduled, so you’ll have plenty of warning if big name acts will be in town that could prevent your concert from being a success.

PRESS RELEASES

Always send out press releases to local media well in advance of the concert date, and be sure to include free publications! Most cities have free weekly newspapers, monthly magazines, and websites that many people read for entertainment news. They’re looking for events, so your concert should be included.

In addition to event calendars, local papers, magazines, and websites often publish interviews and stories about local concerts, so reach out to each one by phone and email to ask to be included in an upcoming article.

YOUR VENUE WEBSITE

Your venue website should look professional to build trust with visitors. With that in mind, make sure the design and visuals are high quality. Your website should also be easy to navigate, so visitors can see what’s scheduled.

In addition to a calendar, include descriptions about performers and links to performers’ websites, Facebook Pages, and/or YouTube channels to help visitors who aren’t familiar with artists to learn more. This is a great way to increase ticket sales for performers who aren’t widely known.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to promote concerts that are being held at your venue. The key is to remind your social media followers about upcoming performances often.

Some people buy concert tickets far in advance, but others wait until the last minute. You don’t want them to forget! Just be sure to share content from the artists and your followers and engage in conversations so your social media timelines aren’t just filled with promotional messages. No one wants to follow or engage with a series of ads!

CONCERT PROMOTION TIPS FOR PERFORMERS

Today, musicians, comedians, and other talent must be very proactive about promoting their concerts. Venue owners will, hopefully, do their part in publicizing your event, but the bulk of the responsibility often lies with the artist.

Think of it this way. If you’re an artist, your goal is to have a successful concert, but you also have a bigger goal to attract more fans, build your brand, sell more of your music, and hold more concerts in the future. Here are some ways you can promote your concert so you can reach those goals:

PRESS RELEASES AND CDS

Even if the venue is sending out press releases, you should send them to the media in the city where you’ll be performing, too. You should also send out sample CDs to music reviewers and local DJs. The goal here is to increase local radio airplay of your music and even land an interview before your concert. This is a great way to boost ticket sales and sales of your music!

If your concert coincides with an album release, it’s critical that you send previews of your album to the media and local radio stations, so you can get press coverage and airtime for your music leading up to and after the concert.

YOUR BAND’S WEBSITE

A great band website can help you reach out to more potential fans. While it’s very important to have social media profiles and pages on sites like YouTube, Facebook, and SoundCloud where you post your music, you should have your own website, too. The reason is simple. This is your space online that you control. No matter how YouTube, Facebook, and so on change their rules in the future, the content on your website and the visitors that come to your site are 100% yours!

The content on your website should include videos, photos, your story, and of course, your upcoming concert dates. Your website should give people another way to experience your music and develop a relationship with you and your brand that leads to loyalty.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND EMAIL

Your website should include an easy way for fans to provide their email addresses to get on your subscriber list. You can also collect email addresses at your live events. It’s important to stay in touch with your fans, and email is a great way to do it. Send a weekly or biweekly newsletter that shares what you’re working on as well as upcoming concert dates.

Social media is another great way to spread the word about your concerts and maintain a relationship with your fans that increases their loyalty to you and your music. Be active on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram at a minimum. Share your own videos, photos, and updates, and don’t forget to engage with your fans. There is a reason why the word “social” is in the term “social media.” It needs to be a two-way conversation to be most effective.

VIDEOS

Videos are one of the best promotional tools for musicians, so start recording them right now! You can create music videos, footage from prior gigs, interviews, and even behind the scenes videos of you rehearsing, writing, traveling, and more. You can turn sound files into videos, too. Your fans love seeing how you create!

Remember, the quality shouldn’t be awful, but it doesn’t have to be perfect either. Footage from a show where audience members are dancing and having a great time is a powerful ad for future concerts. People love to share videos on social media, which means they’re a great form of word-of-mouth marketing, too.

POSTERS AND FLYERS

Posters and flyers aren’t dead! They’re still an effective strategy for promoting concerts held in downtown areas with a lot of foot traffic. The best posters and flyers are artistic and eye-catching but also consistent with your brand as an artist. In other words, they should reflect the experience people will have at your concert, or people will buy tickets expecting something that they won’t receive. That can do more harm than good to your brand in terms of generating negative word-of -mouth marketing, particularly on social media.

Of course, your posters and flyers should include the concert venue and date, but don’t forget to add your website so people who want to learn more about you before they commit to buying tickets can find you easily online. Don’t worry if you’re not a graphic designer. Using a tool like Canva.com, you can create professional-looking posters and flyers. Another affordable option is to hire a freelance designer through a site like Fiverr.com.

PROMOTE AT THE CONCERT

Don’t neglect the concert, itself, as a chance to do more promoting. Yes, it’s too late to promote for your current show, but you can use this as an opportunity to connect with new fans who might buy your albums after the show. It’s also a perfect time to excite people about future concerts.

Make sure you have an area set aside to sell albums and promotional materials like T-shirts and bumper stickers. These items are great for word-of-mouth marketing after the concert. In fact, when you use a ticketing company like AttendStar, you can even sell merchandise with tickets!

CONCERT PROMOTION TIPS FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS

In addition to all of the concert promotion tips discussed above, there are many event marketing opportunities you’re probably missing. Here are a few tactics you can use to increase ticket sales to the concerts you organize:

FACEBOOK MARKETING

The majority of people on the planet use Facebook (1.18 billion per day), so you can be certain that people who want to see your concert are on Facebook. What better place to connect with them?

Start by creating a Facebook Page for your concert and getting people to like your Facebook Page. Next, publish relevant content, share other people’s content, and work to increase engagement on your Facebook Page. Finally, invest in Facebook advertising and try these 10 Facebook marketing ideas to increase your concert ticket sales.

EMAIL MARKETING

Research has shown again and again in recent years that email marketing is incredibly effective. In fact, it’s more effective for acquiring customers than Facebook and Twitter marketing! Don’t underestimate the importance of building your own list, segmenting it to reach people who are most likely to be interested in the concert you’re promoting, and motivating them to buy tickets by sending them the right messages at the right times.

But what do you email to your list other than an announcement that the concert is coming? Check out this list of 10 event marketing email messages that skyrocket ticket sales. Not everyone is ready to buy tickets to a concert the first time they hear about it, so it’s essential that you stay in touch with them and keep the concert top-of-mind.

ADVERTISING

Of course, local advertising offline is extremely important, and radio advertising is particularly effective for concert promotion, but make sure you reserve a percentage of your advertising budget for online ads.

Facebook advertising and Google AdWords work very well if they’re highly targeted, but a form of advertising that many event organizers overlook is retargeting. Since 80% of people who visit your concert’s ticket sales page won’t buy the first time they visit (based on research), it’s important that you don’t lose them forever! Retargeting enables you to show ads to those visitors who didn’t buy on other sites that they visit after leaving yours. Develop retargeting campaigns that are strategic and well-planned, and you’ll see your ticket sales climb.

Don’t forget to get free advertising whenever you can! For example, invest some time into listing your concert on event calendar websites.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

Whether you’re working for a venue, as an event organizer, or you’re an artist, these concert promotion tips can help ensure your event’s success. Promoting a concert today is a challenging task that requires a combination of online and offline marketing tactics, but if you use the strategies explained above, you’ll attract a larger crowd to your next concert and sell more tickets so you can hold even more concerts in the future!

Want more concert promotion tips? Subscribe to our Concert Promotion Tips newsletter and keep learning!

How to Avoid Being a Jerk at a Concert, According to Industry Professionals

At some point this year — probably June or July, according to most state legislators — coronavirus restrictions will ease and we will all re-emerge, like bears from their slumber, into polite society. To help you readjust, we’ll be sharing some advice on grooming, fitness, getting dressed in something besides sweatpants (but also sweatpants), how to manage your stress and mental health, dating, concert and bar etiquette, and more.

After over a year in isolation, most of us can barely remember how to hold a normal conversation with another human being, let alone how to behave in public. We’ve all gone more than a year without live music at this point, so perhaps we’re overdue for a reminder of the do’s and don’ts of attending a concert.

Beyond the usual unwritten rules of concertgoing that were hammered into us pre-pandemic, like “Wearing a t-shirt of the band you’re seeing at the show is lame” and “No flash photography,” COVID-19 has also left us with plenty of new rules and regulations to be mindful of as live music makes its return. Morgan Deane, chair of the New York Independent Venue Association (NYIVA)’s Reopening Task Force and owner of Lasher Louis Productions, recently launched a new set of guidelines dubbed “The Guide“in an effort to assist venues looking to reopen with protocols in place and with the safety of customers and staff top-of-mind.

“If you had asked me six weeks ago, I would have said ‘No, things are never going back to normal,’” Deane tells InsideHook. “But, now I do think that within the next few years we will see live events return to something that resembles the before times. I think it’s really important that we all remember to be kind to each other as we navigate these next steps … I think fans should know we missed them as much as they missed us. Artists, promoters and operators have worked so hard to get live events back. Please just follow whatever rules we communicate to you.”

As DJ and producer Dimitry Mak, who recently posted what he called “The 10 Venue Commandments” to his Facebook page, points out, how quickly we’re able to get back to a pre-pandemic “normal” depends on how willing fans are to adhere to the rules. “As a musician and a DJ, I travel a lot,” he says. “I perform live, I love to attend live performances. With things potentially getting back to normal soon, I think it’s really important that we support artists and the nightlife industry the right way. It’s going to be so much fun when it all comes back, but it’s also going to be crucial that it’s done in a way that respects the venue, the staff and the performers.”

With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some guidelines from Deane and Mak (as well as some of our own) to keep in mind as you return to a world with live music in it.

Pack lightly

Especially if you happen to be headed to a festival, you may be tempted to bring along extra food and supplies, but it’s important to double-check what you’re allowed to bring. Do water bottles need to be factory-sealed? Is the type of sunscreen that comes in an aerosol can prohibited? “Read the rules about what you’re allowed to bring with you,” Deane says. “There’s nothing worse than somebody having a meltdown at the entrance because they’re having their totem confiscated. It slows down entry and drives event organizers nuts.”

Be respectful of the venue’s mask policy

Mask guidelines vary from state to state or whether you happen to be indoors or outdoors, so it can be tough to keep up with when you’re expected to wear one and when you’re free to go maskless. But if masks are required at the show, you have to comply and wear one. “Wear a mask if that’s the rule,” Deane says. “Just do it. It may be annoying and inconvenient, but if an organizer has a mask rule in place, it’s probably a function of their permission to operate. If patrons don’t comply with a rule like that, events will get shut down or organizers may have their ability to produce events in the future jeopardized. Don’t be that dude.”

Don’t ask for a spot on the guestlist

If you happen to be friends with someone in the band (or you’re a journalist who knows which publicist to hit up for a spot on the list), you may be tempted to ask to get in for free, but in this post-COVID era, every dollar that can possibly go to the musicians should, and you should probably just fork over the price of admission. “I’m pretty anti-guestlist in general and personally try to buy tickets for my friends’ shows as much as possible,” Deane says. “Guestlist requests were lame before the pandemic, and they’re absolutely unacceptable now. People have been out of work for more than a year. Buy the damn ticket.”

But if, for whatever reason, you absolutely must ask for a spot on the guestlist, be sure you actually plan on using it. “My biggest pet peeve is when someone asks for guest list and just doesn’t show up without any warning,” Mak says. “Because that spot could’ve gone to someone else who wanted to be there.”

Tip your bartender — and tip well

Musicians and venue owners aren’t the only ones who have been out of work for over a year. There’s a good chance the bartenders working the show you’re at are still coping with the financial devastation of the pandemic, so be sure to tip them generously. Mak recommends tipping 25% or higher. (“20% is okay,” he says. “25% is better. More than 25% is best. Anything under 20% is a non-starter.”) Ultimately, he says, it’s about respecting the hard work they’re putting in on a nightly basis. “I think people need to understand that, yes, you want your drink fast and you want to get to the bathroom fast, but the staff is dealing with hundreds of patrons a night — people who might be intoxicated and obnoxious — so just have patience with them,” he says.

Buy some merch if you can

“Artists have been off the road for a year straight and that going the extra mile — like showing up early to see the opener or buying a shirt from the merch stand — might go a longer way than you think,” Mak says. “And if you truly love the band you’re showing up to see, supporting them now means more than it ever has. This makes me think of when people ask, ‘Oh, why did so-and-so break up?’ It’s because it’s expensive to be in a band. It’s expensive to be an artist and pay your rent while you make your art. When you don’t show up and support them and buy their merch or share their work, they can’t keep going.”

Keep the conversation to a minimum

This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t seem to have a handle on it. You paid money to hear music! Don’t you want to … actually hear it? You’re of course well within your rights to lean over and whisper or shout (depending on whether you’re at an intimate acoustic performance or a loud arena gig) a quick comment into your buddy’s ear, but anything more than a sentence or two should be saved for after the show. Carrying on an entire conversation in the middle of a performance is rude; it ruins the experience for the people around you, and it’s distracting and disrespectful to the artist onstage.

Be aware of your body and how much space it’s occupying

So many of the unwritten rules at a concert can be boiled down to “have some self-awareness and make sure you’re not getting in anyone’s way or invading their personal space.” If you’re tall, don’t stand in the front row. If you’re dancing, make sure you’ve got enough space to do so without accidentally smacking someone in the face. If the show’s packed and you’ve got a backpack with you, take it off and stow it by your feet to make more room for the people behind you just like you would on a crowded subway. Some accidental touching is bound to happen in a crowd, but do your best to keep it to a minimum and be respectful. If you need to squeeze by someone, give some sort of verbal acknowledgement like “sorry, behind you” or “excuse me” to warn them instead of unexpectedly grabbing them, and — especially if the person you’re trying to slide past is a woman — if you have to touch them to move them out of the way or get their attention, go for an arm or shoulder instead of the small of their back.

In the event of inclement weather, opt for a poncho or raincoat instead of an umbrella

One of the major downsides to outdoor concerts is that many of them go on rain or shine, and if a downpour happens to break out, there’s inevitably someone who busts out an enormous umbrella that blocks the view of everyone around them. If you’ve ever had to navigate a city sidewalk on a rainy day, you know how awkward and unwieldy umbrellas can be in tight spaces. Why, then, would you think it’s okay to use one while you’re standing in a massive crowd, inches away from the people around you? Besides obstructing views, there’s a good chance you’re gonna accidentally poke someone. Just suck it up and wear a poncho or a raincoat instead.

Please, for the love of god, don’t yell “Free Bird”

Yelling out unsolicited requests during a show is pretty corny to begin with, but yelling out the lamest joke request of all time is completely played out. We should be respectful of and grateful for whatever setlist the artist has decided to go with — especially as they’re coming back from over a year away from the stage. Presumably, they’ve spent countless hours in quarantine deciding which songs they missed performing live the most and putting together a setlist that reflects that. Unless they specifically ask for requests, keep your mouth shut and be thankful for whatever you get.

Once you get one good photo for the ‘gram, put your phone away

We get it. You want to document the show you happen to be at so you can brag about it on social media to all your friends. That’s reasonable, but it doesn’t mean you need to go full paparazzi. Holding your phone up for an entire set while you snap hundreds of photos or record a bunch of videos you’ll never actually go back and rewatch is excessive. It’s distracting to those around you (especially if you’re one of those people who forget to turn off their flash), and it can block the views of those standing behind you. Snap a few pics early on during the first song to get it out of the way, and once you’ve got one you’re pleased with, put your phone away for the rest of the performance.

Only sing along when the situation calls for it

People paid money to hear their favorite artist sing, not you. There are, of course, plenty of situations when it’s perfectly acceptable to sing along at a show — like when a singer specifically asks the crowd to join in and help them out, or when you’re at a loud, high-energy show where the entire crowd is already singing along at the top of their lungs. But if you’re at a laidback acoustic set or the performer is in the middle of some sparse, gorgeous ballad that has the crowd silently hanging on their every word, leave it to the professionals. Your voice will carry more than you’d expect it to, and no one wants to hear an unexpected duet.

Support your local scene

“Before you buy that high priced ticket to see that big name artist at that big corporate venue, consider putting that money back into your own community,” Mak says. “This is the best way to ensure that a thriving arts and culture scene will return to cities across America.” And if you don’t have enough disposable income to attend every show you’d like to, there are plenty of other ways to show your support. “Can’t make the show? No problem,” he adds. “It costs zero dollars to support us in other ways. Share the posts. Listen to the music. Invite your friends to the event page. In order for this to work, we need all hands on deck.”

“People are always going to see the big acts, and I love to see them as well,” he continues. “But local bands and artists are the pulse of the city they’re in. They’re the heartbeat, they keep the city alive. It’s really important to support them because while the big acts roll through town once a year, local bands are our friends and family members and people we see every day. They’re just like me and you. And they’re out the every night working. Plus those local bands become the big acts. How cool would it be to say you saw them at a small venue with like 20 other people?”

Be patient

Remember that venues are struggling to adapt to our new post-pandemic existence just like we all are, and bear with them as they do their best to figure it out. “It’s been a while,” Mak explains. “We’re gonna be a little rusty. Plus, so much of what needs to happen in order to bring back live music safely is new for all of us — fans, venues, promoters and artists alike. There will be hiccups. There will be lines. There will be unforeseen circumstances. Be nice anyway.”

It’s been a weird, rough year or so for everyone, so it’s important to remember that those who work in the music industry share the same goals you do — they want you to have a good time too. “Live music venues, festivals and clubs are valid and vital culture,” Deane says. “These spaces, particularly independent ones, are the social, artistic and economic lifeblood of our communities. We must continue to protect and advocate vigorously for the culture. After more than a year closed, we can’t wait to welcome audiences back safely and get back to doing what we do best.”

Eventually, things will get back to normal, but until they do, it’s important to be patient and express gratitude for those making it happen.

“I’d like to say thanks to everyone who supports live music, artists, and creators,” Mak says. “Because not only are you supporting them, but you’re supporting everyone in the industry that makes their work possible. The sound and lighting people, the bar managers, bar staff, security … the list goes on. Some of the best moments in my life have happened because of live music. It truly takes a village to make those magical moments happen.”

Band Etiquette: How To Be A Good Bandmate

Being in a band can be an amazing experience. You get to share some of your most memorable moments with your band. However, it isn’t all fun and games. One member’s actions affect everyone. Here are 4 simple rules to follow if you’re in a band.

Always Come Prepared: Do what is asked of you. If you have parts to learn, practice beforehand. Don’t come in unprepared. Also, be sure to bring all the necessary equipment. If you’re a guitar player, don’t show up without a guitar.

Always Lend A Helping Hand: Even if you’re not asked to, always be willing to help. Whether it’s loading instruments to the bus or setting up the stage before a performance, make sure you help in any way that you can.

Always Conduct Yourself Professionally: When the music stops, carry yourself with professionalism. Don’t forget that music is a business. When your talking to venue owners, managers, or fans, be aware of how you act. You don’t want to burn bridges because of how you carry yourself.

Always Be Willing To Work Hard: You have to be to put in the work. No one said being in a band was going to be easy. There may be nights when you’re up until 2 AM rehearsing, but you have to be willing to put in the necessary effort. No matter what the task, always give it 110%.

Being in a band is a team effort. One member’s actions can either positively or negatively affect the whole band.

 

****Luis Valle is an aspiring journalist. His passions include music, fashion, food, and collecting sneakers. He also enjoys traveling and exploring different parts of the world. The motto he lives by is this: “You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough”

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