I love when there are actual tangible steps to take. It feels like most so called strategies deal in mostly big ideas and broad strokes. I took DEVELOPING A STRONG REGIONAL DRAW and in 5 minutes had a list of both city tiers as well as potential clubs to play and their websites. Making this list also prompted a list of general band things that needed double checking and updating. (demo links, bios, photographs, web updates)
Really enjoyed your perspective. I’ve not been making from my music for 30 years. I will NEVER forgive the bands who want you to “support” them but don’t buy music. Not stream. Buy. I don’t write songs to sell shirts. Strategic forethought is important. No question. But it’s about writing, listening, and ultimately paying for it for me. The rest is just noise. My first gig was at The Troubadour opening for Great White. 5th on the bill doing a 97 percent cover set. Those were the days. People listened. And yes, I am a 🦕. And SO grateful I was old enough to participate when it really mattered. When people still cared.✌🏼
Great ideas .... I have a band in Germany, Munich. Based on what I see here, your strategy makes total sense and is quite feasible (probably even more due to the shorter distances between mid-size cities). I think is more challenging here to start this loop, get into the circuit of bands/venues. German culture, specially in Bavaria (South of Germany) is very "close", not that friendly or supportive if you don't have a inside connection.
Interesting. Is it the kind of thing where spending time in nearby cities just at shows, hanging out and chatting up the door guy could be enough to get your foot in the door?
It should be that simple, but not with them. It's a common issue for foreigners here ... Super hard to connect with Germans. Anyway, we are just starting to ... hope that soon we break the barrier.
That’s so cool! Yeah, it might not be an exact fit for markets outside the US, but the theory is sound and the general audience-building principles will work anywhere.
Lots of good advice here folks for moving things forward! Good work Cassidy for making a simple framework for learning about playing, traveling and working the day job so there’s some support. I want one of those work books.
Serendipitously I came across your Substack this morning when you shared another writer’s work you admire. I am mediately hit the subscribe button after reading a few of your articles. My whole life is magic and music. I am the magician, and my husband is the composer. I look forward to your work! Thank you for being here on Substack Cassity!
Wow - so glad to have linked up here! I LOVE Grace Fell's work, so anyone who's a fan of hers is a friend of mine. Can't wait to hear more about what you do.
Thank you @Cassidy Frost it’s nice to meet you! You can read about me in my Substack here, and watch me on my Magic Moments and listen to me on KIYQ Las Vegas where I chat about Retro Vegas entertainment. Enjoy a magical musical day! ✨✨🎵✨
What is your take on a residency to build a crowd? For our XR shows, we built an international crowd of regulars by hosting shows every Tuesday at 7:30pm ET. We booked the same artist every week. Within a month or two, he filled the room every show. Fans now follow him on IG and tip him on social (we always pay our artists, btw).
Interesting! So a door charge vs tips makes a difference in building regulars. Didn’t think of it that way. We are getting ready to launch on Sidequest, will charge a low monthly fee for access to any shows fans want to see. Different than touring pricing , but the indie acts love coming to our studio to play. 🙂
This was very helpful. I'm a rapper/singer in the north east and im sure between nj, philly and nyc I can gather a following from my live shows. Thank you
Thank you so much for this. My band is just starting out and we are starting to gig in the Bay Area. Our first gig is on 12/27 and we are stoked. The different weeks and locations that you mentioned is something I resonate with. I want to play different parts in the Bay that were far enough from each other to get our audience growth going. I also appreciate that this was simplified. I will codify this with our process. I also just bought Book Smart Grow Fast. THANK YOU!!!
As an Australian, it always stings to read things like this a little bit. It's completely accurate and will absolutely work, but the distances in play here are just comedically far.
I moved to Sydney from Hobart recently. I stopped gigging since I moved here. But! from what I can see of the Sydney scene, and from talking to musos, Sydney is a geographically huge city made up of pockets people don't like to leave. So I think you could make this model work there. Marrickville/Newtown, Ashfield, North Sydney, Liverpool, Parramatta, Woy Woy, Newcastle, Wollongong, Kiama, Canberra - I've been to gigs at most of these places and found it's a different crowd each time. I reckon you could build a following in each of them.
Not sure how it would go in another Australian city. Certainly Hobart, Launceston and Burnie isn't enough to make it work.
I met a few bands in the past that were able to book a 6pm show and an 8pm show in the same area on one night. Sorry if that is confusing. Glad you are the writer and not me! I'm terrible at it. Lol.
The outro was worth staying for :)
Finally someone mentioned my outro!!!!!
This is awesome! Love the framing to a readership where some of us do need a 9-to-5 (I feel like that's rare in music biz writing). Thanks Cassidy.
I love when there are actual tangible steps to take. It feels like most so called strategies deal in mostly big ideas and broad strokes. I took DEVELOPING A STRONG REGIONAL DRAW and in 5 minutes had a list of both city tiers as well as potential clubs to play and their websites. Making this list also prompted a list of general band things that needed double checking and updating. (demo links, bios, photographs, web updates)
Appreciate you!
Hot damn, Patrick! Get it!!
Really enjoyed your perspective. I’ve not been making from my music for 30 years. I will NEVER forgive the bands who want you to “support” them but don’t buy music. Not stream. Buy. I don’t write songs to sell shirts. Strategic forethought is important. No question. But it’s about writing, listening, and ultimately paying for it for me. The rest is just noise. My first gig was at The Troubadour opening for Great White. 5th on the bill doing a 97 percent cover set. Those were the days. People listened. And yes, I am a 🦕. And SO grateful I was old enough to participate when it really mattered. When people still cared.✌🏼
Great ideas .... I have a band in Germany, Munich. Based on what I see here, your strategy makes total sense and is quite feasible (probably even more due to the shorter distances between mid-size cities). I think is more challenging here to start this loop, get into the circuit of bands/venues. German culture, specially in Bavaria (South of Germany) is very "close", not that friendly or supportive if you don't have a inside connection.
Interesting. Is it the kind of thing where spending time in nearby cities just at shows, hanging out and chatting up the door guy could be enough to get your foot in the door?
It should be that simple, but not with them. It's a common issue for foreigners here ... Super hard to connect with Germans. Anyway, we are just starting to ... hope that soon we break the barrier.
That really does sound like a challenge - keep me in the loop as you figure it out!
Cassidy this is an amazing strategy, I am going to try to rework it to fit my current situation.
That’s so cool! Yeah, it might not be an exact fit for markets outside the US, but the theory is sound and the general audience-building principles will work anywhere.
Lots of good advice here folks for moving things forward! Good work Cassidy for making a simple framework for learning about playing, traveling and working the day job so there’s some support. I want one of those work books.
Thanks so much, Fred!!
Serendipitously I came across your Substack this morning when you shared another writer’s work you admire. I am mediately hit the subscribe button after reading a few of your articles. My whole life is magic and music. I am the magician, and my husband is the composer. I look forward to your work! Thank you for being here on Substack Cassity!
Wow - so glad to have linked up here! I LOVE Grace Fell's work, so anyone who's a fan of hers is a friend of mine. Can't wait to hear more about what you do.
Thank you @Cassidy Frost it’s nice to meet you! You can read about me in my Substack here, and watch me on my Magic Moments and listen to me on KIYQ Las Vegas where I chat about Retro Vegas entertainment. Enjoy a magical musical day! ✨✨🎵✨
Thanks for this perspective!
I love that this is filled with actionable advice! Nice one! Love to chat on this sometime.
Yoo let’s do it!
What is your take on a residency to build a crowd? For our XR shows, we built an international crowd of regulars by hosting shows every Tuesday at 7:30pm ET. We booked the same artist every week. Within a month or two, he filled the room every show. Fans now follow him on IG and tip him on social (we always pay our artists, btw).
I think it’s a great model if you have a built in walk up crowd and you’re not having to sell tickets!
Interesting! So a door charge vs tips makes a difference in building regulars. Didn’t think of it that way. We are getting ready to launch on Sidequest, will charge a low monthly fee for access to any shows fans want to see. Different than touring pricing , but the indie acts love coming to our studio to play. 🙂
This was very helpful. I'm a rapper/singer in the north east and im sure between nj, philly and nyc I can gather a following from my live shows. Thank you
Thank you so much Sean. I totally believe it!
Thank you so much for this. My band is just starting out and we are starting to gig in the Bay Area. Our first gig is on 12/27 and we are stoked. The different weeks and locations that you mentioned is something I resonate with. I want to play different parts in the Bay that were far enough from each other to get our audience growth going. I also appreciate that this was simplified. I will codify this with our process. I also just bought Book Smart Grow Fast. THANK YOU!!!
Heck yeah! Drop the band/show links!
Sure, thank you!
https://www.instagram.com/e.s.c._band/
https://eschxc.bandcamp.com/
We are also on Spotify and Apple Music! Just released our single in November. Been an amazing journey so far.
As an Australian, it always stings to read things like this a little bit. It's completely accurate and will absolutely work, but the distances in play here are just comedically far.
And here I was thinking how easy it would be on the mainland compared to Tasmania
I moved to Sydney from Hobart recently. I stopped gigging since I moved here. But! from what I can see of the Sydney scene, and from talking to musos, Sydney is a geographically huge city made up of pockets people don't like to leave. So I think you could make this model work there. Marrickville/Newtown, Ashfield, North Sydney, Liverpool, Parramatta, Woy Woy, Newcastle, Wollongong, Kiama, Canberra - I've been to gigs at most of these places and found it's a different crowd each time. I reckon you could build a following in each of them.
Not sure how it would go in another Australian city. Certainly Hobart, Launceston and Burnie isn't enough to make it work.
This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing!
No sympathy for a nation whose govt funds arts and healthcare!
excellent and very true! the only thing I would add that I saw a few bands implement is book more than 1 show in a night in nearby cities if you can.
Oh interesting! Weirdly the second half of your comment wasn’t visible the first time!
Sorry not sure I understand
I met a few bands in the past that were able to book a 6pm show and an 8pm show in the same area on one night. Sorry if that is confusing. Glad you are the writer and not me! I'm terrible at it. Lol.
excellent and very true! the only thing I would add that I saw a few bands implement is book more than 1 show in a night in nearby cities if you can.