Whats happening to our live scene people?
Are people just not interested in live music anymore....
We(Psionic) have played quite a few gigs to say....15 or so people...and i know its not an advertising thing and before the comedians jump up......no we dont suck!!!
My point is, is it able to be resusitated? or do we have to face the fact that unless you are a big band in Nz you are going
to be playing to very small crowds..???peace out my bruthas
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i meant whats happening to our live ...
i meant whats happening to our live gigs...not tour...damn typos
Where are you?...
Where are you?
fucking bullshit. the gigs i've been ...
fucking bullshit. the gigs i've been to lately at the kings arms have been packed the fuck out.
lack of advertising? well who the hell are you guys? sorry, but people don't just show up to a show without knowing who's playing.
i've been to some arse shows lately too. but it's always been because these bands never made the proper effort to let people know they were playing and didn't have the proper common sense to play with bands that draw crowds.
Yeah I agree. Its bullshit. Most of the ...
Yeah I agree. Its bullshit. Most of the gigs I have been to even when the bands are smaller have been reasonably packed. I checked out a Nova Echo and So So Modern gig and that had quite a few people at it.
I guess after looking at the bands you have played with is that their are way way too many bands on the bill that noone has really heard of. I go to gigs nearly every week and I haven't seen any posters or even heard of any of those bands. You should try to get a gig with bands that are already pulling a reasonable number of people. Its all about networking at the end of the day.
So how the fuck are new bands meant to ...
So how the fuck are new bands meant to acheive anything if there is nobody out there to give them a chence?? I mean my band KING JANKOFF which nobody has heard of had 7 gigs in two weeks and all with advertising just as good as wellknown bands but we had fuck all people come along.
People should get rid of there attitudes and start to support new bands.
So having said this are new bands at ...
So having said this are new bands at the mercy of the more established acts to make any headway?
Fuck yes man,most definatly. I see ...
Fuck yes man,most definatly. I see posters of bands that are unknown all the time right next to the Fat freddys drop posters or any other band. It is also very hard to try and get gigs with known bands even if its a band with a slightly better following because the attitude I suspect is, why gig with a band that has no following when we can gig with a better band=more people watching us and more cash.
The live scene is very clicky and ...
The live scene is very clicky and trendy, this does hurt some bands who may not be in vogue right now, but these bands will generally do better over time if they stick with it and keep their shit together.
//Fuck yes man,most definatly. I see ...
//Fuck yes man,most definatly. I see posters of bands that are unknown all the time right next to the Fat freddys drop posters or any other band.
Its interesting too because in Wellington Sticky Fingers have recently put their prices up and the main affect I've noticed is that most smaller bands just cant afford to use their services (most of my bands fall into that catagory, even though a couple of them have been going for 2+ years). People seem to be loathe to take a chance, and as such venues are demanding larger rosters of bands for gigs. With falling numbers going to see unknown (as such) acts it puts more pressure on the small bands, theres nothing worse than worrying that you won't break even on a gig.
Yea scott your right there buddy. I ...
Yea scott your right there buddy. I mentioned earlier that my band had & gigs in two weeks and all but two i think had sticky fingers advertising and by the end of that two weeks we were just ripped apart by having to pay near on $80 dollars a gig for soundmen and then about 80 for advertising. We had to turn down a gig at happy cos we were expected to pay for p.a,advertising and soundman! Its almost becoming pointless to try get gigs cos it becomes a waste of time.
cream rises. never expect anything ...
cream rises.
never expect anything of the public, unless you give them something (ie..recordings, videos) then why should they give you something back?
the only promotion that always works for an unknown band is word of mouth. having 200000 posters won't mean anything if people aren't talking about you. Play some house partys, invite people to your shows, put heaps of people on the door, release some songs, don't just expect that people will see a poster of a band they've never heard of and be interested...especially during winter when you can sit on the couch at home infront of the heater, watching movies, eating junk food.
Your right mate,that is some great ...
Your right mate,that is some great advise. Cheers.
keep playing heaps of shows... even ...
keep playing heaps of shows...
even if they suck...
play like, 5 bands for 5 bucks shows then you play to people who wouldn't otherwise hear you.
eventually if people like you the shows will get bigger.
Cheers Blink, all good ...
Cheers Blink, all good points.
Personally I was just commenting on the changes in the scene that I've noticed in the last couple of years - I'm quite happy with where my different bands are at - they've all released songs, done lots of gigs and some of them even have a bit of a 'rep' (if I can say so myself!) - admitidly no videos, but personally I'm a bit of an anti-fan of music videos :-)
I think it is getting harder for new bands these days as the public expects more from a band whilst providing less support...
Blink knows what he's talkibng about, ...
Blink knows what he's talkibng about, bands have to be "scene" to be seen, the best way to get heard is to have a demo, or a free show, or at a party - then word of mouth. but more importantly an ideal way to get heard and ensure a crowd is the same way bands work all over the world, every good band was a support act first, then had their own shows...go to the gig of a popular band you like, chat to them tell them youre in a band, maybe theyll be nice give you a break..or maybe when a couple bands youve seen before are playing ask them ifthey mind you slipping on the bill. people there will see you and if you ARE good and ARE part of the scene, more people will listen, ..then repeat and repeat and repeat.. fuck we played a show to 8 people once.. but thats not a problem, that along withh the inevitable exploding equipment/awful support act/hidden venue problems is a trouble that most band face until they get a little lime light ....
how about you stop whinging and play at one of my all ages shows.. i garuntee you an audience of atleast 100.. meh
Alex..
oh and get a website
[ http://www.thelastimes.com ]
nobody goes to see your band because ...
nobody goes to see your band because you're whinging on forums about nobody going to see your band
go and see some other bands, talk to people there .. . mingle...kiss some ass...whatever. .. there's only about 20 people in the new zealand scene anyway, and they're all pretty cool if you go talk to them :)
and Psionic :
get a new name . it sounds twee
and 'King Jankoff':
get a new name - it sounds like you're some frat-boy sport metal band..perhaps you are???
Hey Grusome theres no need for that ...
Hey Grusome theres no need for that bro.
Wasnt attacking anyone or whinging..was just bringing up a point..thats the point of these forums...
You shouldnt act like an arse dude......
ok..sorry :) ... i did get a little ...
ok..sorry :) ... i did get a little carried away ...
send me an email about your next show, i'll try and check you guys out. (truly)
Hey man that ok...no hard feelings.....
Hey man that ok...no hard feelings..
are you a wellington band? i am looking ...
are you a wellington band? i am looking for a new favourite wellington band. you could be it.
but i cant be bothered going out to see bands i dont like anymore. so put some mp3s on a website somewhere and i will listen to them.
yeah man..we are a wellington ...
yeah man..we are a wellington band.
And have played with King jankoff.....they are an awesome band..
You could post your MP#'s here.......
You could post your MP#'s here....
[ external link ]
Hey Marty from KnifeParty. The scene ...
Hey Marty from KnifeParty.
The scene doesn't suck. It does come down to promoting and the band though. You need to get a good following, play your ass off. You dont' need good songs to be big (our songs suck...) - look at Linkin Park!!!!
Haha Marty Your a crackup... Your guys ...
Haha Marty Your a crackup...
Your guys songs are cool....your singer has quite a scream...enjoyed playing with you guys
How big was the venue? 15 people can be ...
How big was the venue? 15 people can be a good turnout in some bars.
Was it just you on the bill, or did you share it with other bands? Do you know the other bands well? Are you a fan of their music? How well are you guys networking?
Did you have any smaller victories- e.g. sell any cds/swag? Get anyone signed up on the mailing list? Make any new contacts? A few more hits/download's from the band site?
More importantly- did people enjoy your show? Did you connect?
Some very talented kiwi musicians have showed me that you've just got to play to what you've got- if you get a small crowd, don't pretend the place is full. And working a small crowd can be as much (or even more) fun than working a full house- it's way less cliché. People get to see 'the real you' a lot better and it's way more intimate & intense- if you've got the talent, & the right attitude, you'll have them riveted to your every move.
You never know who'll be listening silently at the back of the room.
IMHO, you got to learn to LOVE small crowds. Big crowds are easy fun, but it's harder to LOVE them.
that and playing 7 shows within two ...
that and playing 7 shows within two weeks is pretty fucking ludicrous
were they all in wellington? please tell me you're not that dumb
Make an effort to play a gig (whether ...
Make an effort to play a gig (whether you organise it or scab your way onto the bill) with local bands you don't know personally. You get access to their "audience" and they to yours. Give away 20 CD's on the door. That'll cost you less than $20, and that's 20 more people that may end up using it as a coaster but you KNOW they listened to it first at least. Build some buzz about your band, but don't be wank about it, people don't want 20 updates on how your garage recording is going.
And above all, play and play and play. You're going to lose money, not all the time but most of it. For you cats who say after the PA, Sound guy and venue "it's not worth it" well you need to start doing something else. If you got to play your shit it's worth it...
yeah. .getting support slots for more ...
yeah. .getting support slots for more established bands is a good one . .. and definitely get a website ,and update it regularly (unlike me) .. . .
above all, be creative with your promotion - music is a creative industry, and people like stuff thats a bit outside the square in terms of delivery - i think having really eyecatching flyers/posters as well helps as well. .
and definitely tell every single person you bump into about the show, and give them a flyer - you never know who's gonna turn up....
as for Sticky Fingers in Wellington, they've got better, but i'd avoid them for all but the largest gigs - they are always gonna favour their more 'important' customers when it comes to poster placement..
you're better off going out with a nice bucket of wallpaper paste and a broom and postering yourself.
sticky fingers are only allowed to paste on certain places - council bollards, some venues and a few walls and billboards about the place. .. so you can paste anywhere else...i'd try not to paste on too many private buildings, unless there's already posters there.... but lampposts, rubbish bins, traffic light boxes, subways, bridges, anything council are all fair game in my book . . .. just use your brain ,and don't paste anywhere obviously dumb. ...
//that and playing 7 shows within two ...
//that and playing 7 shows within two weeks is pretty fucking ludicrous
were they all in wellington? please tell me you're not that dumb//
yea we are that dumb mate.It was really fun playing that many shows,we played in front of people that didnt know us and we NEVER turn down a gig.We met heaps of new bands and made plenty of connections in that two weeks.Made no money but i aint complaining, made it through to the semis in battle of the bands.Pretty productive really.
Good on ya manic for puttin this post up,lots of very good advise on here.And you guys are also a fucking good band.
Okay, try 40 shows in six months. In ...
Okay, try 40 shows in six months. In These Four Walls, we gigged hard, we pushed hard and we got good numbers to a great deal of our shows. One problem that we have found, is that with good venues - ie. Kings Arms, Dogs Bollix etc - Its extremely hard to get gigs on Friday and Saturday nights without being a known band. Now here is the tricky bit - Known band kinda means having a song on the radio and/ or a music video on TV - which cost bands money. I guess one way is to stop wasting money on posters and publicity - Save it up and pay for a good recording - If you are good enough, you will get on the radio and thats how you can get a following, then the high profile venues wil give you Saturday and Friday ight shows. Anyway, thats how Ive come to see - Not saying Im right - It's just my opinion
[ http://www.thesefourwallsband.com ]
I agree, it takes time to build these ...
I agree, it takes time to build these things. Have been organising live shows since May music month, and its just getting better. You have to build a following. That takes time. Start small. Start by doing something monthly. Make it worthwhile for the people who come along, then they will come back.
Also. Most bars will allow you to play a Fri or Sat night, if you bring a good crowd to them on a Wed or Thurs night. You can't get something for nothing, you have to show them your serious and its worthwhile for them to give you a show on one of those days. You gotta just persevere. Go hard.
[ http://www.therockfactory.net ]
you see, i can't see why'd you put ...
you see, i can't see why'd you put yourself through that sort of shit - more shows doesn't equate better shows. its more likely that you're going to saturate the locals with your stuff and turn them off. especially with new zealand being as small as it is.
the idea of having a few shows you actually work hard for and organise properly with people you know work in decent and (perhaps more importantly) professional bands makes a lot more sense to me
Thanks everyone for all your ...
Thanks everyone for all your comments.
Some of us are experienced musos who have been around the scene and back(not myself...still quite new to it really) and have some great advice...We have just had our experiences in Wgtn and are still new and tripping over ourselves really...
We will take all your comments on board and the thought of free demos at gigs is one we have been thinking of...
thanks again
At the end of the day, don't worry ...
At the end of the day, don't worry about it. Some of Viracocha's most fun gigs have been to seriously, like 10 people cos it makes you learn to feed off the energy you create with the band- rather than the crowd.
Look at the Mint Chicks, they don't care whether they play to 5 people or 500 they just go farkin hard and thats whats why they're awesome.
Hi all. If you are wanting to do some ...
Hi all. If you are wanting to do some promotion, chuck your gigs on our website, i am trying to get as many of your "unknown" gigs on here as possible. I own the poster pasteup company here in Palmy North as well so if you need any gigs pasted up here then drop me a line and i can see what i can do for you.
[ http://www.yourevents.co.nz ]
Another question to ask yourself is how ...
Another question to ask yourself is how many local live bands do you go see play and if you don't, why not? Could give you a another reason for a low turnout...