As music become more competitive, artist will have to do more and more to get their music out to the masses. One of the best known ways currently, is performing live shows in front of pack crowds and create a buzz because of that great performance. But as an emerging artist how do you get shows that are packed were you can hopefully convert some fans with you talent? Well, one of the best ways to do that is pay to perform in front of bigger acts, showcases and or with other acts at the same level. All these avenues have the same thing in common and that it you must shell out money to play. But many no name artist feel they should not have to pay to perform. But if you would like to get out there this is one of the best ways. There are many reasons why you should pay to play from one promoters opinion.
- If upcoming artists are not routinely performing, then they are doing a disservice to themselves. The best way to create a strong word-of-mouth buzz is to develop a great live show. The word gets around fast about an artist with a dope live show.
- It’s important for artists to do so early on to build up their fan base and stage experience. I am an advocate for paying to perform in reputable events.
- Upcoming artists who say that they refuse to pay to perform in showcases should try renting out a venue, getting event insurance, hiring security, printing up flyers, and selling tickets to their own concerts. It can cost an indie rap artist $1,500 or more to present his or her own concert.
- Many venues are now starting to demand that a promoter or artist MUST have event insurance in order to present an event at their venue.
- And by the way, event insurance for a hip hop event can cost up to $4,500 for just one night due to the risk factor of potential violence. So for all the upcoming artists who don’t want to pay to perform in top quality promoter showcases, consider the cost of event insurance when you present your own concerts.
- An upcoming artist I know spent $2,500 to throw his own concert. 14 people showed up and he owed the club a huge bar guarantee at the end of the night as well. He printed up t-shirts to sell and everything. The owner of the club had to force him to get on stage and perform. It was 1:30am and the artist said he was still waiting for more people to show up. The owner told him to get his ass on stage or shut it down. The artist took a big LOSS!
- Many aspiring artists are more focused on what’s “a good look” instead of on what will work and what makes sense.
- I remember another rapper told me that he doesn’t pay to perform in showcases. He said that if I put his name on the flyer he could pack out the venue. So I did just that. Only two people showed up to see him perform, and one of those people was his mother.
- Some upcoming artists have a false sense of celebrity, which makes them think that they can sell out a venue despite having no buzz at all.
- Moreover, multitudes of indie artists and producers think that their talent equates to entitlement. You are not entitled to anything! Stay HUMBLE and stay DRIVEN.
- If an indie artist can’t afford to present his or her own concerts, then it makes sense to pay to perform in top quality, reputable promoter-produced showcases. Showcasing gives you the opportunity to create a personal bond with your followers, and it gives you the visibility to expand your business.
- You have to master your stage presence. Paying to perform in top quality, reputable promoter showcases is a good start for upcoming artists to hone their stage presence.
- Do your research and due diligence before investing in a showcase. Ask around to find out which are the best showcases and trustworthy promoters in your area. Attend the showcase first to get a feel for the event and see how it turns out.
- Many top-level promoter-produced showcases require that artists sell tickets to perform in the event. This is a good thing because it forces the indie artists to reach out to their fan bases. Often times, an artist can sell tickets for a profit or recoup the funds he or she paid to perform in the showcase.
- And if a local indie artist cannot find at least 10 fans, friends, or family members to come out to see him or her perform, then he or she is in the wrong business.
- Equally important: if your stage show is impressive and if you bring out a good crowd, oftentimes reputable promoters will ask you to be a featured artist in their future showcases after you have paid to be in their first couple of showcases.
- Featured artists don’t have to pay anything, and sometimes they can make money by selling tickets to a particular showcase they are featured in and keeping the proceeds for themselves.
- Once an artist has made a name for him or herself as a featured artist on the showcase scene, he or she can advance to paid live shows. At this point the artist can start demanding anywhere from $300 to $1,000 to perform.
- Please note that investing in quality showcases is just one way to build your brand. Some artists perform in showcase after showcase and don’t give any consideration to other marketing strategies or tactics. Make sure that your showcase performances fit into an overall bigger marketing plan.
- And DON’T GET STUCK IN THE OPEN MIC SYNDROME. Some upcoming artists like performing at the same open mic spot every week because it becomes like Cheers, where everybody knows their names. They become local celebs at the open mic, but the sad part is no one has no idea who they are outside of that spot.
- Hence, it’s very important to have a plan and a strategy. And it’s also a good idea to perform in top-notch showcases in other states as well. EXPAND YOUR BRAND.
- I’ve actually helped many indie artists and managers put together their own successful concerts after they’ve paid to perform in my showcases. I’ve shown them how to put together sponsorship proposals to attract sponsor dollars for their events as well.
- It makes sense for at least four indie artists to join forces and pool their resources together to offset and share the costs of presenting their own concerts. They can advertise and sell tickets and split the profits from their own shows.
- Indie artists can join forces and present their own concerts, selling their CDs and merchandise at the show. They can make the concert an extravaganza. They can do giveaways and raffles and have models and dancers. Once they have successfully presented at least four concerts in their home town, they can get sponsors and duplicate the success as a national tour.
So, its easy to say you dont pay to play but believe me you will get no where; that simple.