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Who has management, and do I need it?


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Posted

When I played nothing but punk rock, there were few clubs my bands could play in and we always played for the door. Generally, word of mouth could help you find the "punk" venues in a town.

Now I'm a more mainstream band that's starting to get a little buzz and popularity, but the thing is... Neither the bandleader, or I, hangout in, or know what clubs we should be sending our press kit and demo to. Especially when it comes to out of town clubs. The bandleader is an old alt-type rocker like me, and he does get out there promoting the band, but he wont go to the clubs that cater to covers like our band, he wants to get us shows at the same type clubs he's always played at in the past (and that he likes to hang out in on a regular basis). He also has a hard time asking for a guarantee from the clubs we have played at that I know would have paid it.

There are also several local, summer festivals where we would've fit right in, but none of us know who to contact.

I've been digging around on some of the local Facebook musician's groups, but those usually degenerate into "Don't play there because I wasn't treated like a rock star." type rants.

So, we need a manager, right? I think so, and so does the singer, and band's other guitarist. 4/5 of the band has 8-5 jobs with the band leader being the only one who works for himself and sets his own hours. As he is the one out almost every night, but isn't getting out there to the clubs we need to be playing at, then I say we get someone who knows who to contact and can negotiate for the band. I know that means they get a cut of the money, but the gigs should be better paying.

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Posted

Friends with a popular bands/acts that get to play around the country have to do their own management work.

One friend does fairs and festivals with a combination of kid shows and family entertainment. He and his wife are gone five months out of the year. They read the contracts, and they negotiate everything for themselves. No crew goes out with them, either.

Another friend is in a popular band in Atlanta that also goes out on mini-tours across the country. They have a "label" that puts out their CD's, but the promotional work is all in the hands of the band. Every bit of the Internet listings for stuff like bandsintown.com or pollstar.com is up to the band. The social media work is done by the band. Booking... the band.

Your bandleader needs a crash course in how business for bands works today. It sucks, like getting retrained for a new job. Start asking sound companies who they know that book shows. Find some of your friends in other popular bands or touring acts who to talk to. Ask the club owners that book you now if they are connected to clubs in other areas that will not affect their local business.

If you must find someone to step in and make the negotiations for you be careful. That person could have the same problems as your bandleader. Find the highest profile manager or booking agent that will take you. Go totally pro or do not involve a manager.

Posted

Who would do that for the cut off a local gig? Not being a downer, it just seems like tons of work for 10% of what figure, $1200? $800?

Posted

Thanks guys. I think you're both right.

Believe me, it's no small point of contention that the bandleader isn't shopping us around to the propper venues. When I wrote that I thought we need management, it's for that reason only.

When it gets down to it, I don't want one. But when the bandleader suggests our five piece coverband playing at an all originals club for $150 on a Saturday night...

Posted

You need a booking agent, not necessarily a manager. You get bare bones management services with a booking agent for a reduced fee... that's usually all you need.

Posted

You need a booking agent, not necessarily a manager. You get bare bones management services with a booking agent for a reduced fee... that's usually all you need.

Booking agent. Yes, that's more in line with what we'd want. Not a band manager.

Posted

Zen is right. The difference hopefully will be better paying gigs for you guys. If you're doing covers, hopefully they will get to know you're niche and book accordingly, be it bars, events, festivals, weddings etc. I feel your pain with the other guy in your band-I was in a tribute band for a while with some dudes who wanted to just play "quality" shows opening for other bands, for a door split. Personally for that situation, I was more interested in driving home with a couple hundred bucks in my pocket after a gig. C'est la vie!

Posted

I do all the accounting for the All Things New Band here in Florida. They are a nationally recognized act and they've had a few really big singles in the Christian Rock circles. Luke, the drummer, decided to learn how to manage the band on the road. He handles the expenses, the bookkeeping and the payroll/tax issues when they're home. But they have management in Nashville. It's critical. Their major function is booking. I think Zen touched on this.

They "pay to play" on some bigger tours. They make their money selling merchandise at the gigs. It's been a real education for me too. Give 'em a listen, if you get a chance. Garrett is a great singer. New Man is their hit.

Go for the management, if you're ready for that change. Bookings should be the primary reason.

Posted

Thanks guys! We've got practice tonight and I'm going to bring up using a booking agent at least for some gigs.

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