The problem I've seen with bands that say yes all the time is they undercut everyone else and cheapen the market value for everyone. Thanks to said low ballers, clubs and venues now fully expect to pay the low ball price all the time, and those bands are considered, "Cheap dates". I see nothing wrong with saying no if the ultimate feeling you're going to get from this is feeling taken advantage of or your enthusiasm and motivation are sucked dry.
I hear this a lot... playing the 'cheap' game is like tensing a muscle it can only be done for so long but it's also the best way for a young aspiring artist to get out there. Experience brings better pay and better gigs. It only cheapens the market for venues/promoters/agents who don't care about their product. on the whole if you pay badly you get less experience... pay more and get more experience. The market doesn't change. last year i did 135 gigs in 12 months inc gigs on Thursdays, Sundays even Mondays.. I could have easily got another 50 but didn't lower the price... The key is in the value.. if they want inexperience there will always be (and has always been) this option available. Our job is to build supply and demand.. get good and get people wanting us and then price ourselves accordingly 🙂🙂
@@DamianKeyes Agreed, been watching your vids since I broke out solo a few months back. Was playing with a band that would play once a month, maybe twice, and never wanted to practice. In the past week I've booked 6 gigs over the next month or so, all of them pay. Not a lot, but I didn't argue. It's amazing how those numbers (how much they are willing to pay) start going up *after* you have video and pics of you playing gigs you did for free, or just for tips, or just a bar tab. I'm seeing just how valuable your recommendations are, so THANK YOU!!!
Great advice. We have been playing covers for the past 2 years. We also recently recorded and released a cover on Spotify. Petty Kingdom - The Ferryman
Really needed this. After the year we've had I can't wait to get back to gigging and this is inspiring me to start a proper band of my own. Question: If you were gonna start a band today what style/size/niche would you go for?
Good advice! Started my first band 50 years ago. About 3 bands later, wife and kids took all my time so I concentrated on my day job for 10 years. Got back into it on/off part time until I retired from my day job. I’m now 65+yrs and still playing but the songs that I thought were out of reach then are more playable now thanx to having the time to perfect the craft. What’s classic rock today was top 40 and fm hits back in the day. My thing is to study a classic rock original tune, and then listen to the way they played it live. Also, a real good song would be covered by some more recent big names (Warren Haynes for example). Put it in a musical blender and make a new arrangement for an old song. Utube is a BIG help❤. The band theme focuses around past (and some still here today) iconic music greats by showcasing their best songs.meaning more artistic value than commercial appeal, but played in a way recognizable to the original artist.
Nice to see you thoroughly explain the back end of the cover circuit and it's importance Damien (agents & club owners). Once you meet and exceed expectations of these guys (and your fans), you'll have a busy schedule. Only when your schedule is full should you consider setting a threshold to say 'maybe/ only if/ no'. We were successful in the pre-internet era (20+ shows a month for 8 years). It allowed us to concentrate on music full time and fund our writing sessions, home studio, etc.
cut costs if u need horns strings find yourself a excellent sounding keyboard player also remember the market changes keep in mind the economy in reality also u can also do a full trax show no band for lower budget gigs
My genera is rock and bands I want to do is a Gwar, Slipknot and metal tribute with anime characters. I know it’s a tough idea I had but I really want to do it
Tip #1 - No matter how good the band is if you can't draw you don't get gigs. Clubs/bars don't care unless people come out. In fact where I'm located they ask "how many people can you bring out"
@Victor Jones: That´s interesting perspective - but aren‘t you up against the same challenge then an aspiring unknown cover band? You‘ve got your songs, but nobody knows them, so nobody come‘s to your gigs so the clubs/bars don‘t pay you anything/much because they don‘t make any money selling drinks while you are there. I think the „unlocker“ to commercial success is the same as for a cover band - get out play as much as you can to get experience, known and create a crowd of followers - then the price point you can charge goes up automatically. The only challenge you have on top is that your own songs need to be good enough (in the sense that people follow you from gig to gig) - if they are - then the above should work...
Very true. You could play the kazoo as long as you have a good draw. Van Halen is a good example of a band that started out as a cover band and switched to being and original band. There's no shame in playing covers or being in a cover band. This is how you learn to play and be in a band 101.
Talk to the owner and see if they are willing to do a rock/metal night tailored to that crowd. In my town there's a pub that does this once a month. The regulars that don't enjoy that music go elsewhere knowing it won't be pleasant for them, but the fans of the 2 or 3 bands that get a set or 2 a piece crowd in and the bar makes a ton.
When I would see cover bands in the 80s and 90s it was always the same. It's the same now too!! haha Bands are STILL playing friggin Mustang Sally!!! I'm 50 years old and nobody I know listens to that! haha SO we formed a cover band and we play Misfits, Sex Pistols, ...just stuff we actually like. Sounds hokey but it's fun and people seem to dig it.
Thanks for another great video. Interesting points about being niche. In terms of song choices but also in your own style. Thoughts on covers bands and artists who do their own take on cover songs? Is there room or can you go too niche for the market?
say yes correct but watch yourself dont get taken advantage of have your own contract get it approved by a attorney make sure it protects u n da project cancelation perdium deposits etc
No no nope. Go with your strengths & target your market. Know where you are playing. Bar? Wedding? ( & yes, cover bands get hired for weddings & you will have to conform to old Aunties & Grandparents bc if you only play the bride & grooms song list, the wedding will be ruined. Bride & groom won’t know this, but as a pro, you should or you will be ultimately blamed & will NOT get paid)
Yes keep your set updated but it's 2023 and Call Me Maybe still kills everytime
The problem I've seen with bands that say yes all the time is they undercut everyone else and cheapen the market value for everyone. Thanks to said low ballers, clubs and venues now fully expect to pay the low ball price all the time, and those bands are considered, "Cheap dates". I see nothing wrong with saying no if the ultimate feeling you're going to get from this is feeling taken advantage of or your enthusiasm and motivation are sucked dry.
I hear this a lot... playing the 'cheap' game is like tensing a muscle it can only be done for so long but it's also the best way for a young aspiring artist to get out there. Experience brings better pay and better gigs. It only cheapens the market for venues/promoters/agents who don't care about their product.
on the whole if you pay badly you get less experience... pay more and get more experience. The market doesn't change. last year i did 135 gigs in 12 months inc gigs on Thursdays, Sundays even Mondays.. I could have easily got another 50 but didn't lower the price... The key is in the value.. if they want inexperience there will always be (and has always been) this option available.
Our job is to build supply and demand.. get good and get people wanting us and then price ourselves accordingly 🙂🙂
@@DamianKeyes Agreed, been watching your vids since I broke out solo a few months back. Was playing with a band that would play once a month, maybe twice, and never wanted to practice. In the past week I've booked 6 gigs over the next month or so, all of them pay. Not a lot, but I didn't argue. It's amazing how those numbers (how much they are willing to pay) start going up *after* you have video and pics of you playing gigs you did for free, or just for tips, or just a bar tab. I'm seeing just how valuable your recommendations are, so THANK YOU!!!
No point going out for a low price, it’s just more hustle.
Great advice. We have been playing covers for the past 2 years. We also recently recorded and released a cover on Spotify.
Petty Kingdom - The Ferryman
Can you please re-post? This video keeps hanging a few seconds in for some reason.
Update: looks good now. If you fixed it Damian, thanks much.
Really needed this. After the year we've had I can't wait to get back to gigging and this is inspiring me to start a proper band of my own.
Question: If you were gonna start a band today what style/size/niche would you go for?
Good advice! Started my first band 50 years ago. About 3 bands later, wife and kids took all my time so I concentrated on my day job for 10 years. Got back into it on/off part time until I retired from my day job. I’m now 65+yrs and still playing but the songs that I thought were out of reach then are more playable now thanx to having the time to perfect the craft. What’s classic rock today was top 40 and fm hits back in the day. My thing is to study a classic rock original tune, and then listen to the way they played it live. Also, a real good song would be covered by some more recent big names (Warren Haynes for example). Put it in a musical blender and make a new arrangement for an old song. Utube is a BIG help❤. The band theme focuses around past (and some still here today) iconic music greats by showcasing their best songs.meaning more artistic value than commercial appeal, but played in a way recognizable to the original artist.
Play Mustang Sally one more time and somebody is getting strangled with a patch chord
How is this video five years old and yet has only 50 comments? This is solid advice.
Great advice again! Slowly watching my way through your whole channel
Bringing the fire! This is all valuable advice.
Excellent video!! Love the honesty !!
Nice to see you thoroughly explain the back end of the cover circuit and it's importance Damien (agents & club owners). Once you meet and exceed expectations of these guys (and your fans), you'll have a busy schedule. Only when your schedule is full should you consider setting a threshold to say 'maybe/ only if/ no'. We were successful in the pre-internet era (20+ shows a month for 8 years). It allowed us to concentrate on music full time and fund our writing sessions, home studio, etc.
Thank you so much that’s so kind of you 😊😊😊
I’m SO glad you said that about Superstition. It’s 💯 true.
Epic Video Mate!!! I will try it!
Dope!
Great thanks for the advice. Very helpful.
Thank you.
Brilliant,great advice
Thanks
cut costs if u need horns strings find yourself a excellent sounding keyboard player
also remember the market changes keep in mind the economy in reality
also u can also do a full trax show no band for lower budget gigs
Exactly if your a cover and and or a cover campaign then either come up with some original music or expect to fail
My genera is rock and bands I want to do is a Gwar, Slipknot and metal tribute with anime characters. I know it’s a tough idea I had but I really want to do it
Sorta like gorillaz in a sense
Tip #1 - No matter how good the band is if you can't draw you don't get gigs. Clubs/bars don't care unless people come out. In fact where I'm located they ask "how many people can you bring out"
True that dude... Promoters have a tough enough job as it is and they need bands to be able to be a draw!
@Victor Jones: That´s interesting perspective - but aren‘t you up against the same challenge then an aspiring unknown cover band? You‘ve got your songs, but nobody knows them, so nobody come‘s to your gigs so the clubs/bars don‘t pay you anything/much because they don‘t make any money selling drinks while you are there. I think the „unlocker“ to commercial success is the same as for a cover band - get out play as much as you can to get experience, known and create a crowd of followers - then the price point you can charge goes up automatically. The only challenge you have on top is that your own songs need to be good enough (in the sense that people follow you from gig to gig) - if they are - then the above should work...
Very true. You could play the kazoo as long as you have a good draw. Van Halen is a good example of a band that started out as a cover band and switched to being and original band. There's no shame in playing covers or being in a cover band. This is how you learn to play and be in a band 101.
Love this ❤
most agents r not agents anymore because of internet they r agencies so market n buisness yourself
also always think outside da box be versatile
got any tips for tryin to play rock and metal in small town pubs? tryin to get your foot in the door?
Talk to the owner and see if they are willing to do a rock/metal night tailored to that crowd. In my town there's a pub that does this once a month. The regulars that don't enjoy that music go elsewhere knowing it won't be pleasant for them, but the fans of the 2 or 3 bands that get a set or 2 a piece crowd in and the bar makes a ton.
Gold!
i been doing my tribute shows fo over 20 years
Great tips thanks
Keep the number of members at the number of players who will show up every practice.
When I would see cover bands in the 80s and 90s it was always the same. It's the same now too!! haha Bands are STILL playing friggin Mustang Sally!!! I'm 50 years old and nobody I know listens to that! haha SO we formed a cover band and we play Misfits, Sex Pistols, ...just stuff we actually like. Sounds hokey but it's fun and people seem to dig it.
What if Im in middle school?
Lol man I'm wondering the exact same thing
same here
Keep practicing or get into a band with older players that will get you gigs in clubs.
Cheers man great info from Los Angeles ca
Amazing.. I intend to come visit LA soon! Never been but desperate to get over and meet some friends!
sound advice
Thanks for another great video. Interesting points about being niche. In terms of song choices but also in your own style. Thoughts on covers bands and artists who do their own take on cover songs? Is there room or can you go too niche for the market?
I like this guy
I've Been Trying To Promote My Tribute Band But Am Having A Hard Time, Maybe This Video Will Help
i can tell u from experience even if u contact the entertainment directors etc chances r u wont get a response no resonse no gig now what u do
say yes correct but watch yourself dont get taken advantage of have your own contract get it approved by a attorney make sure it protects u n da project cancelation perdium deposits etc
If you actually want to make money, functions bands are the only way. Bars pay doesn't cover your gas.
No no nope. Go with your strengths & target your market. Know where you are playing. Bar? Wedding? ( & yes, cover bands get hired for weddings & you will have to conform to old Aunties & Grandparents bc if you only play the bride & grooms song list, the wedding will be ruined. Bride & groom won’t know this, but as a pro, you should or you will be ultimately blamed & will NOT get paid)
To bad Florida has no band booking agents... Just play for beer and tips here fucking blows down here.
Oh shit. I sing superstition 🧨 ... and I am white boy 🙏😂
if you feel it brah, thats all that matters ! Music is colorblind !
r u talking about a coverband or a tribute showband two diffrent shows
dont need a professional photo shoot do picts yourself hd just need da moneyshot
Covers band? Here in America we call it Cover band.
Perhaps he is in the UK mate...the internet is not limited to the US
I thought it was band cover?
There could be no hell more real then being in a bruno mars cover band 🤮