Pro Tip #40 – Why Playing Locally Too Often Is Bad For Your Band
By Ken Kirkland
OVERPLAY ? at Pinky’s Pub….
Again…..
Why Playing Locally Too Often Is Bad For Your Band.
Two main traits of bands able to sell out gigs (talent aside) is their tendency not to excessively gig in the same area and their commitment to giving each show a purpose.
Every time someone sees that you’re playing this weekend they weigh the pros and cons of coming to your show. It is all too easy to become the band that someone disregards because you’ll probably be playing again soon or they just saw you 2 weeks ago at a venue down the road and they doubt seeing you again will be worth the time, money, energy, and backache if they’re over 30!
Taking every opportunity to play in your hometown or in the same area can be tempting. So tempting, it can lead some artists to become oblivious to the fact there is only a certain number of people in any given scene. And yes, that goes for big cities too.
There is irony in the fact that most local venues are hesitant booking out of town acts because they won’t realistically bring their fans to fill the venue. Even if you do have a huge local fanbase, don’t assume that they have got so little going on in their lives that they will constantly be there to support you.
If you’re still under the impression that the more gigs, regardless of the location, the better, consider how excited you would be if you knew that you could go down the road and see your favorite band EVER play every week.
Unless there is something wrong with you (which means that you keep getting excited about having the same experience over and over again) the excitement would quickly wear off of your favorite band/artist being available and demanding your attention. Even the greatest pleasures have the potential to become monotonous. “Things” are only as good as the measure of them.
If you play gigs less frequently in your hometown, you will get MORE of a draw because you will create a sense of exclusivity. Music consumers thrive on scarcity. Demand being greater than the supply is a consumer’s kryptonite.
If you do become a band known for selling out venues – regardless of the size – in your hometown, people will be more likely to come to the show to avoid the fear of missing out! You will become infinitely more attractive to venues outside of your local area and festival bookers when you can show them a crowd eager to inch its way to the front of your shows. You’re not fooling anyone by posting gig photos taken a long way from the stage that don’t show a single audience member.
How Often Should You Play Local and How Should You Play It?
There is no short answer. The general rule of thumb for playing in your local circuit tends to be four times a year, or at least playing gigs 6 – 12 weeks apart in the same area, the number also depends on another factor; the quality of your shows.
Every show should be an event. If you don’t have new music to promote at your shows, get creative in coming up with why fans should see you for the first time AND the next times. Go acoustic. Come up with a concept, beyond just giving your run of shows a clever name. And never underestimate the impact of creating something that seems unmissable to fans old and new.
Hopefully, I have pulled you out of the “but, but, but EXPOSURE!!!” trap by this point. Because even if it does seem like common sense that “more shows = more fans” the effect is almost always the reverse. Any good band leader would tell you not to overplay your local area, but with all the 100% independent artists doing everything themselves, there is no-one to give them this sound advice.
If you are playing gigs needlessly and aimlessly, that time/energy could be far better spent on networking, self-promotion, writing and recording new material and actually coming up with a long-term plan. There may be no glory like blowing the roof off a venue and hearing the demand of an encore, but for that to be sustainable your plan has to be solid.
For some all of the above will be a bitter pill to swallow and I have undoubtedly burst some bubbles by speaking harsh truths over blowing smoke up your ass. Check it out though, don’t get hooked in the big fish in a small pond mentality.