Booking your first gig

So, how can you get your first gig?

So you’ve put in countless hours of practice, you’ve wowed your friends at home, and most importantly, your mum is sure you’re the most talented performer since Freddy Mercury… it’s time to put it all to the test in front of a real audience!

But where to begin? Finding your first gig can feel like you need a whole new skillset – one that all the music lessons in the world haven’t prepared you for. But fear not! The main thing you need is something you already have. Persistence!

Just getting started?

If you have learnt to play an instrument you already have the motivation and the self-discipline to get out there and find a gig. Ultimately the way to get booked is to keep on asking. Look for venues that you know book live music and offer to play as a support artist. Or try your hand at open mic nights, where talent can be spotted.

Whatever you do, you need to start thinking like a professional. Plan your act, rehearse, look after your instruments and, of course, take out a good insurance policy. Venues actually increasingly expect acts to have their own insurance – but luckily you can take out a musicGuard policy right here!

There are also a few other things you can do to give you the best chance of getting a booking.

How to book your first gig

Venue managers are usually on the look-out for something specific. Before contacting them, make sure you’re a good fit for the sound they’re looking for. They might want an instrumental jazz band providing a chill backdrop, or an upbeat cover band who get all the patrons singing along. Do your research! In this case, that might simply be a matter of going to the venue and watching some music yourself.

However, it is not all about the music. You might be the greatest undiscovered act there’s ever been but, let’s be honest, no venue wants to book an act that no-one is going to come and see. Even a small pub wants to get a few dozen people through the door and buying drinks. So, the other thing you need when you are just starting out are friends who’ll come to your gig. Sometimes the best pitch you can give a venue is that if they book you, everyone you know is going to show up! 

Finally, make sure you encourage the people who saw you to give feedback to the venue, let them know that if they book you again – maybe for a longer set – they’ll be back too!