For most bands, live is both the biggest source of income and the best way to find new listeners.
Your first shows
Start locally: venues, culture centres, study associations' stages and shows together with other bands. A shared bill with two or three bands draws a bigger crowd than playing alone.
The booking pitch
A good email to a venue is short:
- who you are and what you sound like, in one sentence
- a live clip – not just a studio recording
- which dates you're available
- how many people you usually draw, honestly
Follow up once after a week.
Fees and agreements
Agree in writing before the show: fee, currency, when it's paid, times, sound and what's included. The musicians' union in your country – for example the Musicians' Union (UK), the American Federation of Musicians (US and Canada) or Musikerförbundet (Sweden) – often gives members guidance on pay and agreements.
The show as content
Always film. One show gives you weeks of clips, and bookers want to see you live before they book.
Log your shows
Date, venue and audience. The list becomes your show history – the first thing a booker asks for.
Do it now: Add three venues as contacts and send a booking pitch to the first one.