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 go into making a band’s performance worthwhile. Many times I have gone to see a band play and been disappointed with the end result. These bands never last very long and they are not bands I would want to join.

MEMBERS

The first thing that is required are members. The most crucial part is usually 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 tight-knit community of musicians in your area. Potential members can be found through many free websites that offer placement of musicians on the Internet, or at a local music store that often offers 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 three-piece bands and had a good payday, and I’ve worked six-piece bands and barely broke even. It has always seemed safe to me that most cover band scenarios have 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’ll need musically to perform them, and then base the number of musicians you’ll need on that.

SONG SELECTION

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 what the crowd will pay to come hear that will make you popular.

Song selection can be difficult at times. I’ve always found it best, in a cover band, to go with the old popular songs that the crowd loves, and the newer popular songs on the radio. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve acted Paranoid Prayed Roadhouse Blues I would be rich. These songs are usually on the set lists of most rock cover bands.

It helps to go to 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 playing it is also a good tool for song selection.

Depending on the type of venues you’re playing, you’ll need 10-12 songs per set, based on hour-long sets. You will need a good set list based on 40 to 50 songs for a four hour show. Venues in your area may require performances to be ‘two and a half’ hours long, or simply require you to play from 10pm to 2am Regardless of how the venue is set up, you’ll want enough songs to play the entire show.

PRACTICE

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

I suggest at least two to three hours of focused band practice per week initially. Don’t go overboard and burn yourself or the band out with 8-hour marathon practices. This ends up backfiring and usually after a few hours of practice everyone goes on autopilot and just trying to get to the finish.

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

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 hitting the problem song on the floor 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 program. Don’t focus on just playing the songs on stage, but also practice performing the songs. Putting on a stage show helps people remember you. Standing like a statue on stage is not fun and you 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.

BOOKING

Select your venues wisely. I can’t stress this enough. Don’t agree to book a show without knowing the venue first. I showed up to gigs with my crew and found out that the stage wouldn’t support our show, and I had to downsize my crew 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.

• HomeLocal. If you want to expand your range, I suggest you do so after you’ve played successfully locally for a while.
• Have a press kit to give to the club owner. Press kits must consist of a track listing, band biography, contact information, and a CD with at least four songs from your band performing the songs on it.
• Visit the place in person to discuss the reservation with the owner. Get a feel for the venue and see how the stage is set up, so you can plan ahead for how much gear to bring. Check in advance how easy your loading and unloading will be.
• Negotiate your price. Don’t agree to play for free at a venue to expose yourself… other venues may find out you played for free and ask you to do the same at their club. You need to make sure there are no hidden pitfalls, like agreeing to knock on the door and arrive at the show and knowing that there is no cover charge that night; or agree to play for a percentage of the profits the bar makes at night, 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 lights and lights. If so, contact the person who handles the sound and lights and let them know ahead of time what you plan to do, and see what kind of equipment they have.

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

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

PREVIOUS SHOW

Now that you have a date booked, get your band together and practice the entire show a few 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, for example dressing up or skipping some songs for a midnight costume contest.

If the place does not have lights and sound from the house, and you do not have pa or lights, you will have to contact someone who provides this service. This service can be found in the phone book. Many musicians know popular sound providers from previous experience in other bands. Gather your resources and find a good sound provider. Consider what you will be paid for the show. Don’t hire a sound provider if you’re 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 to the location and what time the load will be, so no one is late. Decide in advance how you are going to transport all the equipment to the show and be sure to keep in touch with anyone you have booked 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 and put on a memorable and entertaining performance. This is what they have worked hard for and this is what the bosses are paying to see. Make the customers happy and the owner of the place will be happy and that’s always good news.

FORWARD

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

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

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

ONE LAST POINT

Always remember to 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 booking certain dates due to the availability of band members when work or family issues arise. The most important thing to remember is to work hard, but have fun while you’re at it. Give your crowds 110% and entertain them. They will see you again.