Question 1

How do I book my first gig?

Accepted Answer

Start local. Email or visit small venues, cafes, and bars with a current EPK—a short bio, one strong live video, a hi-res photo, and a single booking contact. Most new bands still land open mics, showcases, and weekday support slots before weekend paid bills. Follow every pitch with one polite follow-up about a week later.

Question 2

How much should a band get paid for a gig in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Rates still track city, draw, and room size. Many local bar and club gigs for newer acts land roughly $200–500, mid-tier regulars $500–1500, and headliners more. Always clarify flat guarantee vs door split vs hybrid, and put the number in writing before load-in.

Question 3

How do I contact venues to book shows?

Accepted Answer

Find the booking email or form on the venue site or socials. Send a short pitch: who you are, local draw proof, links to music and live video, preferred dates, and one reply address. Personalize by city and room type. Do not attach huge files—link everything.

Question 4

What's a guarantee vs. a door split?

Accepted Answer

A guarantee is fixed pay regardless of attendance. A door split is a share of ticket or cover revenue, often 60–80% to the artist after house costs. Many rooms offer a hybrid: smaller guarantee plus a split above a threshold. Confirm what counts as the door and who covers taxes and fees.

Question 5

How far in advance should I book gigs?

Accepted Answer

Local club dates are often held 4–8 weeks out; competitive rooms and big cities can book 2–4 months ahead. Festival applications commonly open 6–12 months early. Start outreach earlier than feels comfortable if you need a specific weekend.

Question 6

How do I write a press kit for booking?

Accepted Answer

Keep it scannable. Include a 3–4 sentence bio, one booking contact, 2–3 photos, 1–2 live videos, best audio, notable bills or press, and social or streaming links. PDF or a fast webpage both work; update after releases and lineup changes. Bookers rarely open multi-page docs.

Question 7

Should we play for free?

Accepted Answer

Only for clear strategic upside—charity, a high-visibility support with real audience, or a room that reliably books paid follow-ups. Free as a default undercuts your scene and your own floor. If pay is zero, ask for a future guarantee, strong merch access, professional video, or a door split at minimum.

Question 8

How do we negotiate gig payment?

Accepted Answer

Know your floor first: travel, rehearsal time, and a fair split for the room. Ask what the venue typically pays, then make a clear ask such as a fixed fee or a door split, whichever is greater. Be polite and ready to walk. Written confirmation beats a handshake.

Question 9

How do I handle a canceled gig?

Accepted Answer

Get the cancelation in writing. Ask about a kill fee if the room cancels close to the date—50% of a guarantee is a common starting point when a deal was firm. Protect relationships when the reason is honest; escalate only when a written contract was broken without remedy.

Question 10

What is a band rider?

Accepted Answer

A rider lists tech needs (inputs, mics, monitors, stage plot) and basic hospitality (water, safe load-in, parking if relevant). Keep it short and realistic for the room size. A clear rider signals professionalism and reduces soundcheck surprises.

Question 11

How do I book a short tour?

Accepted Answer

Map driveable cities, research clubs and DIY rooms on each hop, and pitch 2–3 months ahead with local support where possible. Anchor weekends first, leave travel days, and start with 3–5 night runs before multi-week routing. Track holds, deposits, and contacts in one shared list.

Question 12

How do I get a gig at a festival?

Accepted Answer

Most festivals use online applications 6–12 months out. Follow the format exactly, lead with your best live video, and apply to local and regional events before national brands. Showcase series and city festivals are realistic first wins. Network in person when you attend as a fan.

Question 13

How do we promote a gig?

Accepted Answer

Announce 4–6 weeks out, then run a tight final two weeks: save-the-date, live clip, co-bill tags, venue shares, email or text list, and ticket or RSVP links. Consistency beats one viral post. Ask every band on the bill to post the same details.

Question 14

What's the best way to network with venue bookers?

Accepted Answer

Go to shows, be a good guest, and introduce yourself briefly after. Follow bookers on socials without spam. Reliability—on time, clear tech, respectful staff—gets rebooks faster than cold DMs alone. Warm intros from trusted local acts still matter in 2026.

Question 15

How do we get our first out-of-town gig?

Accepted Answer

Trade shows with a band in another city: they open for you at home, you open for them there. That local draw makes the pitch credible. Share EPKs, split promotion, and confirm who covers rooms and fuel before you leave.

Booking & Gigs FAQs

Booking & Gigs FAQs

Subscribe to our newsletter

For Venues

For Bands

For Musicians

Directory

Academy

Contact