subject: The Venue And The Band: 7 Tips For Building A Mutually Beneficial Relationship [print this page] Having been both a venue owner and a band promoter I have seen some of the most outrageous, illogical and flat out stupid things happen when it comes to the relationships between venue owners and bands. Money, record deals, gigs, girlfriends, and more have been lost due to one simple little word that for some reason in this business is very hard to accomplish: Communication.
Communication is the key to success in the music business whether your goals and aspirations as a band are to sign a huge record deal and make millions of dollars or simply play a steady, long term gig at Chestys Pit Stop in Po Dunk USA.
If you are a venue owner, maybe you would like to add multiple locations, franchise, move your operation to Nashville, Vegas, NY or LA or you just want Chestys Pit Stop to be the best damn run venue this side of the Mississippi, it still all comes down to the same thing: communication.
Here are 7 very important items that will help you communicate better to one another as well as aid you in your quest to achieve whatever goal you would like to achieve as a band or as a venue.
1.It is a partnership, you are in this together - If you think you are better than any venue, dont play the venue, period. If you dont think a band is good enough to play your venue, dont book them. If you as a band or as a venue cant guarantee a sell out, both parties must be out working their asses off to promote the show, no exceptions. If you dont and the attendance is low, it is your fault, plain and simple. Dont ever assume the band or the venue is going to pack the place. Always take responsibility for your own promotion of a show.
2.Get everything in writing and assume nothing This applies to every detail about a show but especially things like pay, free or discounted food and drinks, and sales of merch. If you would like a simple agreement you can use as a band or as a venue contact me and I will send you the one I use for every show.
3.Always be on time This goes for sound check, meet & greets, show promotions and of course the show. It shocks me how many shows lose money because either the band or the venue neglected the agreed upon and advertised times of shows and promotion of shows.
4.Never talk smack behind anyones back Do it and I promise it will hurt you in the long run. I dont know how many times I have seen this lead to the demise of a band as well as venues.
5.Dont nickel and dime the band Either provide a set amount of free drinks, food, tickets and amenities or highly discount them, dont try to pay your bills from the bands bar tab. However, this applies to the band only, not groupies and sound guys. Funny how everyone is a stagehand, girlfriend, sound guy or with the band when it comes time to get food, tickets and drinks. I highly suggest using a simple contract even with local bands and have a catering line in the contract which specifies how this is to be handled.
6.Success at one show doesnt mean success at every show at the same venue: It is so important to understand this. You can never take your fans and following for granted. If you have a true following they will be there regardless of where and how often you are playing whether it is Caesars Palace or Chestys Pit Stop. Dont ever blame poor attendance on a venue.
7.Dont be a jerk: Need I say more? I have hosted at my venues and booked bands and entertainers totaling hundreds of millions of albums sold and wouldnt you know it, the biggest jerks I have encountered have been the owners of a few of the Chestys Pit Stops and the wanna-be-bands that think they are better than the world. Be gracious in all of your dealings and as cheesy as it sounds, it really is true that you never know who is watching so always do your best whether it is for one person or a stadium full of screaming fans!!
