Tips for a Band booking their first tour:
Booking your first tour as a band can be an exciting and challenging experience. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process successfully:
Plan ahead: Start planning your tour well in advance, ideally several months ahead. This will give you time to research venues, contact promoters, and coordinate with other bands.
Set a tour timeline: Decide on the dates you want to tour and create a timeline of tasks that need to be completed leading up to each show. This will help you stay organized and ensure you're not scrambling to get everything done at the last minute.
Research venues: Look for venues that are a good fit for your band and your music. Check their websites and social media pages to see if they regularly host live music and what kind of acts they typically book. Make a list of venues in each city you want to play.
Contact promoters: Reach out to local promoters who book shows at the venues on your list. Introduce yourself and your band, provide links to your music, and ask if they have any upcoming shows you could be a part of.
Coordinate with other bands: Look for other bands in each city you want to play and reach out to see if they would be interested in sharing a bill with you. This can help you build relationships with other musicians and increase your exposure to new audiences.
Book travel and accommodations: Once you have your shows booked, start making travel arrangements and booking accommodations. This may include renting a van or trailer, booking hotel rooms or Airbnbs, and figuring out the logistics of getting to each show.
By planning ahead and taking these steps, you can set yourself up for a successful tour and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Research venues: Look for venues in the cities you want to play and check their websites to see if they host live music. Look for places that cater to your genre of music and consider reaching out to venues where bands similar to yours have played before.
Genre: Look for venues that regularly host shows in your genre of music. This will increase the likelihood that their audience will be interested in your band and can help you build a following in that city.
Capacity: Consider the size of the venue and whether it's a good fit for your band. If you're just starting out, you may want to look for smaller venues with a capacity of 100-200 people. If you have a larger following, you may want to look for venues with a capacity of 500 or more.
Reputation: Research the venue's reputation and read reviews from other bands that have played there. Look for venues that are known for treating bands well and providing a positive experience for both the audience and performers.
Location: Consider the location of the venue and whether it's easily accessible to your target audience. Look for venues in central locations that are easy to get to by public transportation or car.
Technical requirements: Consider the technical requirements of your band and whether the venue can accommodate your needs. This may include things like sound equipment, lighting, and staging.
Audience: Look for venues that have a loyal and engaged audience. This can help you build a following in that city and increase your chances of having a successful show.
By taking the time to research venues and find the right fit for your band, you can increase your chances of having successful shows and building a following in each city you play.
Build relationships: Reach out to other bands in the cities you plan to visit and try to set up shows together. This will help you build relationships with other musicians and increase your exposure to new audiences.
Research local bands: Look for other bands in the cities you plan to visit and research their music and social media presence. Reach out to bands that have a similar sound or fan base to your own.
Attend local shows: Attend shows by other bands in the cities you plan to visit and introduce yourself to the musicians. This can help you build connections and increase your exposure to the local music scene.
Collaborate: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other bands, such as sharing a bill for a show or creating a split release. This can help you build relationships and cross-promote each other's music.
Offer support: Offer to help promote other bands' shows or share their music on social media. This can help you build goodwill and create a sense of community within the local music scene.
Be professional: Remember to be professional and respectful when working with other bands. Show up on time for sound checks and performances, communicate clearly and effectively, and be courteous to other musicians and venue staff.
By building relationships with other bands, you can increase your exposure to new audiences and build a network of musicians who can help you book future shows and collaborate on new projects.
Be realistic: Be realistic about what you can accomplish on your first tour. It's unlikely you'll be able to book a string of sold-out shows, so focus on building your fan base and making connections with other bands and venues.
Manage expectations: Understand that your first tour may not be a huge success, but it's still a valuable learning experience. Set realistic goals and focus on building your fan base and making connections with other musicians and venues.
Budget wisely: Be realistic about your budget and expenses. Factor in costs like gas, food, lodging, and equipment rental, and make sure you have enough money to cover unexpected expenses.
Plan for downtime: Plan for downtime in between shows, especially if you're traveling long distances. This can help you avoid burnout and give you time to explore the cities you're visiting.
Be flexible: Be prepared to make adjustments to your tour itinerary if necessary. Venues may cancel or reschedule shows, and unexpected events may occur that require you to change your plans.
Focus on building relationships: Remember that your first tour is not just about playing shows, but also about building relationships with other musicians and venues. Focus on making connections and laying the groundwork for future tours and collaborations.
By being realistic about what you can accomplish on your first tour, you can set yourself up for a positive experience and build a foundation for future success.
Use social media: Use social media to promote your shows and connect with fans. Create event pages for each show and share them on your band's social media channels.
Create event pages: Create Facebook event pages for each show on your tour and invite your fans to attend. This can help you build buzz and increase attendance at each show.
Share updates: Use social media to share updates about your tour, including photos and videos from each show. This can help you build engagement and create a sense of excitement around your tour.
Connect with fans: Use social media to connect with fans in each city you visit. Respond to comments and messages, and consider organizing meet-and-greet events before or after your shows.
Collaborate with venues and other bands: Work with the venues and other bands you're playing with to cross-promote your shows on social media. This can help you reach new audiences and increase attendance at each show.
Use paid promotion: Consider using paid social media promotion to reach a wider audience. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer targeted advertising options that can help you reach fans in each city you're visiting.
By using social media effectively, you can promote your shows, connect with fans, and build buzz around your tour. Stay organized: Keep track of all your bookings, travel arrangements, and expenses in a spreadsheet or online tool. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don't miss any important details.
Create a tour itinerary: Create a tour itinerary that includes all of your booking details, travel arrangements, and expenses. Include contact information for each venue and promoter, as well as directions to each show.
Use a spreadsheet or online tool: Use a spreadsheet or online tool to track your bookings, travel arrangements, and expenses. This can help you stay organized and ensure you don't miss any important details.
Delegate responsibilities: If you're traveling with a band or team, delegate responsibilities to different members to help you stay organized. Assign someone to handle booking details, someone to manage travel arrangements, and someone to handle expenses.
Check in regularly: Check in regularly with venues and promoters to confirm show details and make sure everything is on track. This can help you avoid any last-minute surprises or complications.
Keep receipts and records: Keep receipts and records of all your expenses, including gas, food, lodging, and equipment rental. This can help you stay on budget and make sure you're reimbursed for any expenses that are covered by your bookings.
By staying organized during your tour, you can avoid stress and complications and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Be professional: Remember that you are representing your band and your music, so be professional and respectful at all times. This includes showing up on time, being prepared, and being courteous to other bands and venue staff.
Show up on time: Arrive at each show on time and be ready to perform. This shows respect for the venue, other bands, and the audience.
Be prepared: Make sure you have all the equipment and supplies you need for your performance. This includes your instruments, cables, and any other gear you require.