Getting gigs as a tribute band

Maybe_Memories

I'm new to the tribute band scene. I've experience in getting gigs as an original band but how do you go about it as a tribute band? Same thing? Just inquire in venues?

Kettleson

Not intending to piss on your bonfire. But have you put the band together yet? From working with a few wannabe tribute bands, they found it hard to get gigs. I've even seen situations when the actual real american band that is being paid tribute too, couldn't sell tickets to a medium sized venue and had to be downsized to a pub venue.

Course if you wanna do it to play the songs as a band for enjoyment, good on ya, call the pubs. But generally the only commercial way at the moment for tribute bands to make it financially worthwhile is to go the corporate route. Some agencies might take you on if you're good enough. In my opinion gotta be specialist, the general rock band tribute is common enough. if your gonna do it, go the full deal..the full monty, stage gear costume etc.

What would be the original band that you are covering?

Maybe_Memories

Hey there. Thanks for the info! It's a Muse tribute band.

suicide_circus

you would want to have some pretty talented musicians and a singer who can match Matt's range to a tee....a sloppy rendition of Muse wont work

Kettleson

suicide_circus wrote: »

you would want to have some pretty talented musicians and a singer who can match Matt's range to a tee....a sloppy rendition of Muse wont work

Sure...but if they can nail it they are in business....to the tank thing...don't shy away from using additional programmed backing tracks....and if it were me, I'd be looking at using 2 drummers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdvhU2nu09o

PS: I'd put it down more to having ability, and hard work as opposed to being "pretty talented". I have seen many "talented" musicians going to waste because they didn't have the ability to get their act together. Go for it lads...

Maybe_Memories

The singer can actually match Matt perfectly. There are times when it's even difficult to spot the difference.

Two drummers? Jesus, getting one was hard enough.

iomega

I'm not sure about nowadays, but 8 or 9 years ago there was plenty of venues willing to pay decent money for tribute acts.
Obviously alot has changed. You'd need a band with a fair amount of appeal or else you can put a lot of effort into getting a set together and there might not be a lot of gigs out there. Contact venues by phone or email and expect to have to travel. Cut out the bull**** some tributes have roadies, soundmen. They just reduce your bottom line. The inhouse engineer is usually fine. Good band muse, really good players, 3 piece as well, better deal financially.

Kettleson

iomega wrote: »

I'm not sure about nowadays, but 8 or 9 years ago there was plenty of venues willing to pay decent money for tribute acts.
Obviously alot has changed. You'd need a band with a fair amount of appeal or else you can put a lot of effort into getting a set together and there might not be a lot of gigs out there. Contact venues by phone or email and expect to have to travel. Cut out the bull**** some tributes have roadies, soundmen. They just reduce your bottom line. The inhouse engineer is usually fine. Good band muse, really good players, 3 piece as well, better deal financially.

This all sounds a bit jaded iomega. I'd be thinking on another level, the one a few steps up. Need van, need all web and social media footage sorted. Need powerful pa, need soundman. Need lights, need highly impressive video footage (the first thing that any venue or promoter will do is check out your web presence). Need professional attitude, and sound like the real thing and then some. Need ambition, need vision. Need manager, need accountant/bookkeeper.

Otherwise its just gonna be any old random pub band that plays a few Muse covers.

iomega

Maybe. If you want to spend all that money go ahead. I played 90+ tribute gigs in this country in two bands between 2005- 2011 we didn't have a PA (hired one for a few gigs) didn't have a van, used basic free web & social media. We did alright. If you want to go abroad that's a different story.

Kettleson

iomega wrote: »

Maybe. If you want to spend all that money go ahead. I played 90+ tribute gigs in this country in two bands between 2005- 2011 we didn't have a PA (hired one for a few gigs) didn't have a van, used basic free web & social media. We did alright. If you want to go abroad that's a different story.

Yes that's true, its knowing what level to pitch it at and why you're doing it.

And like you said earlier the Tribute scene was sort of popular-ish about 10 years ago, but even then it wasn't a living on its own for the vast majority and its sort of uncool now, which is why I was suggesting that if its going to work and make it financially worthwhile, it has to be top quality in all areas. A "show". Nothing less, otherwise you wont be getting the bigger paying/corporate gigs.

A google random check for tribute agencies, first up.


http://www.alivenetwork.com/hirelivemusic/hire_a_band_in.asp?area=London&style=Tribute%20bands

iomega

Not trying to rain on your parade or anything. Just my two cents.

Kettleson

A dull enough Irish website, and I wouldn't be fooled by the audio on this one.

Nothing to write home about here.

http://www.tributebands.ie/kaiser-chiefs-vs-blur-tribute/

Kettleson

iomega wrote: »

Not trying to rain on your parade or anything. Just my two cents.

Not at all, I think you are spot on. It's a tough gig to pull off. My advice would be to go for it in as big a way as possible. Even a great 3 piece band playing in a pub, are still a band in a pub. Need to get out of that zone.

Maybe_Memories

Thanks for all the info guys!

Nothing major is going on yet. At this point we're just working on getting a solid setlist down. We're thinking something like 80% hits and well known songs then a rarity or two for any hardcore fans. Pleases everyone without alienating anyone.

Maybe_Memories

We've got our first gig sorted. Wont post details yet because we're supporting another band who haven't announced us yet but really looking forward to it.

Kettleson

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

We've got our first gig sorted. Wont post details yet because we're supporting another band who haven't announced us yet but really looking forward to it.

Nice work lads....best wishes for the gig...

Maybe_Memories

We're still kind of looking at how to get gigs. We've gigged twice now (our drummer was abroad for a few months), in Fibbers and the International. We have songs, effects, tone, programmed backing tracks all sorted, but we don't know how to actually get any gigs. The one in Fibbers was because we knew one of the guys in the headlining band and the International seem to be cool with pretty much anyone playing.

What we really need is a headline gig or something but have no idea how to get one. We'd even be willing to do it for free, we just want to be playing!

We've been in contact with various venues but that didn't get us anywhere, it was all "come back in six months when you have more experience", which is fair enough, but how do we get the experience?