There are many factors that go into preparing to book shows for your band. I learned early on that there are many important factors that contribute to a band’s performance being worthy. I have gone to see a band perform many times and have been disappointed in the end result. These bands are never around for long and they are not bands that I would like to join.

MEMBERS

Members are required first. The most important part is often finding members who have the same level of interest in the proposed project. Many bands are made up of friends or other local musicians who are in the close-knit community of musicians in your area. Potential members can be found through many free websites that offer internet location for musicians, or at a local music store that often provides a bulletin board for musicians looking for bands.

Another key issue is the number of members that will be needed for the project. I’ve worked with three-piece bands and made a good payday, and I’ve worked with six-piece bands and barely broke even. It has always seemed safe to me that most cover band setups will go with at least four members, consisting of the lead guitarist / vocalist, rhythm guitarist, bassist, and drummer. The best thing to do is listen to the songs you plan to do and decide what you will need musically to perform them, and then base the number of musicians you will need on that.

SELECTION OF SONGS

Remember this important factor in song selection that is often overlooked: It’s not what you want to hear and like to play that will make your band popular, but it’s what the crowd will pay to come and hear that will make you popular.

Song selection can be difficult at times. It has always seemed better to me, in a cover band, to go with the old folk songs that audiences love and the newer popular songs on the radio. If I had a dollar for every time that I acted Paranoid gold Roadhouse blues I would be rich. These songs are usually on the song charts of most rock cover bands.

It helps to go to the local clubs that offer live bands and see what songs the bands are playing that really get a good response from the crowd. Listening to local radio stations to hear what’s hot and what’s playing is also a good tool for song selection.

Depending on the type of venues you are playing, you will need 10 to 12 songs per set, based on hour-long sets. You will need a good song list based on 40 to 50 songs for a four hour show. Venues in your area may want sessions of ‘two’ and a half hours in length, or simply require you to play from 10pm. Until 2 a.m. M. However the venue is set up, you will want enough songs to play the whole show.

PRACTICE

Here’s the key to being a productive and popular band. The more time you spend practicing individually and collectively, the tighter the band will be and the better it will sound. In fact, practice makes perfect. It takes time and effort to download the songs and adjust them.

I suggest at least two to three hours of focused band practice a week initially. Don’t overdo it and burn yourself or the band with 8 hour marathon practice. This ends up being counterproductive and usually after a few hours of practice everyone goes on autopilot and just tries to get to the end.

Practice making songs interesting by starting and ending some of your songs differently than anyone else does. Make sure the song is recognizable, but don’t be afraid to add your own art style to the song so people will remember it.

If the band is having trouble with a song and no one can click on it, replace it with another song. I’ve often found that taking down the problem song takes too long … plus it usually cuts out after a few shows anyway. If you don’t feel it, the crowd won’t feel it either.

Once you have your song list and are comfortable with it, practice on the show itself. Don’t focus on just playing the songs on stage, but practice performing the songs as well. Putting on a show on stage helps people remember you. Standing like a statue on stage is not entertaining and will soon be forgotten. At the same time, don’t let your musical quality suffer for the show. Practice your program and when you feel comfortable with it, practice it some more.

RESERVATION

Select your locations wisely. I cannot stress this enough. Don’t agree to book a show without first knowing the venue. I showed up to concerts with my team and found out that the stage would not support our show, and I had to downsize my team at the last minute.

Usually one of the band members will take care of the reservations. There are many important factors that go into this stage of the game.

• Start local. If you want to broaden your reach, I suggest you do so after having successfully played locally for a while.
• Have a press kit together to give to the club owner. Press kits should consist of a song list, a band biography, contact information, and a CD with at least four songs from your band performing the songs.
• Visit the place in person to discuss the reservation with the owner. Get to know the venue and see how the stage is set up, so you can plan ahead how much gear to bring. Check in advance how easy loading and unloading will be.
• Negotiate your price. Don’t agree to play one venue for free … other venues may find out that you performed for free and ask you to do the same at their club. You want to make sure there are no hidden traps, like agreeing to play for the door and get to the show and know that there is no cover charge that night; Or agree to play for a percentage of the bar’s earnings overnight, only to find that the percentage is based on a few hours in a low-traffic section of the bar.
• Check if the place has a hose and lights. If so, contact the person handling the sound and lights and let him know ahead of time what you plan to do, and see what kind of equipment he has.

Remember that you will often play for a certain fee the first time around so the venue will see how well you do. You will get raises if you attract a good crowd and are popular. Naturally, you want to continue booking a spot only if it’s worth it.

When you book an appointment, make flyers for your show and leave them at the bar so they can put the flyers around the bar to promote your show. This not only helps you, but it also helps the owner of the place. Post flyers on public notice boards that allow it so you can promote your program. Many local newspapers will highlight upcoming venues for free or low-cost, if you contact them in advance.

PREVIOUS SHOW

Now that you have an appointment booked, get your band together and practice the entire show several times to plan how you want to run your performance. If the theme is Halloween, you may want to adjust your show to fit the theme, such as playing dress up or skipping some songs for a costume contest that the venue will have at midnight.

If the place does not have lights and sound from the house, and you do not have lights and sound, you will need to contact someone who provides this service. This service can be found in the phone book. Many musicians know popular sound providers from their previous experience in other bands. Gather your resources and find a good sound provider. Consider what you will be paid for the program. Don’t hire a sound provider if you are going to have to pay more than you make on the show. Compare prices and find the best quality at the best price.

Make sure everyone in the band knows how to get there and what time the load will be, so that no one is late. Decide in advance how you are going to transport all the equipment to the show, and be sure to stay in contact with anyone you have hired for the show, so they know when to be there and where it is.

SHOW TIME

This is what we all live for. Now go out there and put on a memorable and entertaining performance. This is what you’ve worked hard for and this is what customers are paying to see. Make customers happy and the owner of the place will be happy and that’s always good news.

GOING FORWARD

To maintain your popularity and remain secretive, don’t give up on the practice. There is always room for improvement and there will always be modifications to the set list that need to be made. You want to be on top of your game because there are other bands out there and other bands working their way out that would gladly take your place.

Modify your song list as needed by adding new songs that become popular or songs that people keep asking about. Listen to the crowd and make it happy. If a song doesn’t get a good response, release it and select a different one that does.

Continue booking shows. Ideally, play at least four weekends a month. At least one night a week he acts, but it’s even better if he can play two nights a week. Be careful not to over saturate an area. You don’t want to play for four clubs that are within a two-block radius for four weeks in a row. Usually people won’t come to see your show every weekend if it’s in the same area, but they will go to see other bands that they like or have heard of.

ONE LAST POINT

Remember to always be flexible in band scheduling. Many cover band members do it part-time and have full-time jobs. There will be difficult times in the practice schedule or conflicts in the reservation of certain dates due to the availability of the band members when work or family problems arise. The most important thing to remember is to work hard, but have fun while doing it. Give your crowds 110% and have fun. They will see you again.