6 replies to this topic

[TomDB]

If my band wanted to play a UK festival, like only small ones as we are unsigned by kinda big in our local area, how would we go about it and can someone recommend any that are booking now, which most are to be honest.

thanks so much
tom
the prospect

[Medina]

Tom - Most Festival organisers get inundated with cds and emails from bands they've never heard of, all wishing to play their festivals.

My advice is:

i)  Target those festivals that look appropriate for you - there's no point a drum 'n' bass outfit contacting a traditional folk festival (but you'd be amazed how many do!)

ii)  Try to stand out from the crowd and make sure any publicity package looks professional

iii)  If emailing, include a clickable link to a MySpace site or similar where anyone interested in you can see what you're about.  A good live video on the site that has instant impact in the first few seconds of viewing can help

iv)  If you've a fanbase / email database and genuinely believe you can shift some tickets for any festival that books you, say so

v)  If you're willing to play for little or no money in order to get exposure, say so

vi)  If you've a bit of a local following in your area, then target first those festivals within easy travelling distance for your fanbase - nearby organisers may already know of you

vii)  Be prepared for the fact that many organisers won't even reply (sorry - I get over 50 approaches a day and just don't have time to reply to them all) - be prepared to follow-up with a phone call to those festivals you think are your best bet for a booking - don't be put off by lots of rejections - if you've faith in your own ability then keep going

It's not easy to get bookings when there are so many unsigned artists chasing available slots.  Remember festival organisers need to book artists who will help sell tickets.  But most small to medium size festivals still have room for interesting new artists who, in some way, attract the attention of whoever is doing the booking.  Everyone starts somewhere!

Hope this is some help.

Best wishes,
Pete (Medina)

http://www.eastfest.co.uk

[Alchemy Festival]

Medina, on Dec 6 2009, 02:52 PM, said:

Tom - Most Festival organisers get inundated with cds and emails from bands they've never heard of, all wishing to play their festivals.

My advice is:

i)  Target those festivals that look appropriate for you - there's no point a drum 'n' bass outfit contacting a traditional folk festival (but you'd be amazed how many do!)

ii)  Try to stand out from the crowd and make sure any publicity package looks professional

iii)  If emailing, include a clickable link to a MySpace site or similar where anyone interested in you can see what you're about.  A good live video on the site that has instant impact in the first few seconds of viewing can help

iv)  If you've a fanbase / email database and genuinely believe you can shift some tickets for any festival that books you, say so

v)  If you're willing to play for little or no money in order to get exposure, say so

vi)  If you've a bit of a local following in your area, then target first those festivals within easy travelling distance for your fanbase - nearby organisers may already know of you

vii)  Be prepared for the fact that many organisers won't even reply (sorry - I get over 50 approaches a day and just don't have time to reply to them all) - be prepared to follow-up with a phone call to those festivals you think are your best bet for a booking - don't be put off by lots of rejections - if you've faith in your own ability then keep going

It's not easy to get bookings when there are so many unsigned artists chasing available slots.  Remember festival organisers need to book artists who will help sell tickets.  But most small to medium size festivals still have room for interesting new artists who, in some way, attract the attention of whoever is doing the booking.  Everyone starts somewhere!

Hope this is some help.

Best wishes,
Pete (Medina)

http://www.eastfest.co.uk

What Pete said!
I am looking at bands at min but wont be booking till the new year but my fest is one of the last in the year other organisers may be booking now or be half book allready.

[naarjtie]

What Medina said. Also avoid doing what this band did and you'll be fine.  

[Medina]

Ha!  Loved the link.  And sadly there are many similar conversations every year.

Thanks to those who echoed my earlier comments (above).

Hope the advice is of some use to artists seeking gigs.

Pete (Medina)

http://www.eastfest.co.uk

[Magic42]

naarjtie, on Dec 9 2009, 07:56 PM, said:

What Medina said. Also avoid doing what this band did and you'll be fine.  

Love that!

As naarjte and Alchemy say Medina has pointed out all the right things, follow that advice and you will be doing all you can to get booked. Good Luck!

[Lou has a answer]

If people apply via message forums, facebook or anything other than a professional application via email BT generally ignore it as its being a bit lazy and quite annoying. Since looking after the forums and facebook I must of had 50 applications now and its only been a few weeks.