Gigs are one of the most popular ways for musicians to make money. It’s because of this that you definitely need to get your gigging game on! The below guides help with getting gigs, being prepared for them, and performing live on stage.
So, you’ve decided to hit the streets. Busking can be a lot of fun and can also help you gain more live experience. Plus, if you’re looking to make some extra change, it’s not a bad way to put some money back in your pocket. If you plan well, and find good spots to busk…
I’ve talked a fair bit lately about ways to make extra money playing music. There are plenty of ways to monetize your music career as an original artist, but there’s no shame in playing other people’s music as well. Many great musicians grew up playing covers, singing in lounges, and playing for tips. It’s a…
Have you ever thought about getting into street performing? I have good news for you – it isn’t very hard to get started, and so long as you play by the rules, you shouldn’t run into any problems. If you put time and effort into developing your set list, and play at the right places…
Some musicians have no self-awareness. Others are too self-critical. Finding that balance in between can be challenging. But if you’re taking the time to think about whether you’re talented enough to perform or not, then you probably do have a certain amount of self-awareness that enables you to see yourself – maybe not completely objectively…
As a musician takes to the streets, it’s usually with the hope of engaging the casual passerby and making a little bit of money for their hard work. Busking and street performing can be a lot of fun and it can even be a great way to get practice playing in front of an audience…
Should bands pay to play? Let’s face it, it happens. At some point in your career as an artist, you will be offered the “opportunity” to pay to play a show. These offers come in all shapes and sizes. From sneaky promoters looking to take advantage of naive bands to legitimate opportunities that may be…
Recently, I’ve adopted the habit of frequenting open mic events. An open mic is an event where all types of performers go to perform in front of an audience. Anyone can perform. There’s no need to get booked by an agent or call anyone in advance. All you have to do is sign up when…
You’ve heard about house concerts. Perhaps you’ve even considered playing one. But you’re not entirely sure how they work or what you can do to get booked for one. You don’t know what to expect. Fortunately, house concerts are typically set up to serve the artist, and the terms are almost always in favor of…
Attentive, engaged, and buying audience members. A cozy, intimate environment. A solid pay check, and maybe even food and accommodations for the night. All the marketing handled on your behalf. Every artist has different dreams, but for some, the above describes the perfect gig. If this sounds intriguing to you, you’ll be glad to know…
At some point in your touring career, you’re going to need to cross the border. Whether you’re an American looking to build a new market up in Canada, or you’re a Canadian trying to crack the American scene, or even if you’re looking to tour to Europe, Australia, or Asia, you’re going to have to…
Have you ever come away from a show – big or small – and been absolutely floored? It takes more than just great songs to leave this kind of impression on a crowd. You need a great show. A great show leaves you energized the entire time, mesmerized by what’s happening on stage. A great…
Looking to get more gigs? Beyond putting together a press kit and sending it to every venue and promoter you can think of, there are many other ways to drive interest in your music and find new performance opportunities. Here are four underused tactics for getting more gigs. 1. Highlight Your Gigging Experience With A…
Showcases are super important for indie artists. In fact, bands big and small showcase all the time – pretty much everyone has someone they want to impress! Organizing a great showcase is a bit of an art form. Some bands/managers know how to set up a showcase just so, and they can really make an…
Besides playing music, the best part of touring is exploring new cities. Have you always wanted to go to New York, Nashville, or Newfoundland? Well, you’re in a band, so go ahead and book yourself a tour! At the end of my days, if nothing else I will have seen a lot of the world….
Something I’ve learned while on the road is that the best time to plan for the future is right now. Traveling around the country gives you the unique opportunity to meet people you wouldn’t normally meet and make personal connections you wouldn’t otherwise make. While I’m on tour, I find it’s a good time to…