How to Book a Gig: Electronic Dance Music
Contents
Looking to book a gig in the electronic dance music scene? Check out our guide on how to get started and land those big shows!
Introduction
There are many different types of electronic dance music (EDM), so it can be hard to know where to start when booking a gig. Do you want to play at a club, festival, or event? How do you find the right venue for your style of music?
If you’re just getting started in the EDM scene, here are a few tips on how to book your first gig:
1. Do your research. Decide what type of EDM you want to play and find venues that cater to that genre. Do a Google search or check out online directories like ClubSpots or Gigs Vine.
2. Get in touch with the venue. Once you’ve found a few potential places to play, contact the venue directly and ask about their booking process. Be sure to mention any relevant experience or credentials you have.
3. Send a demo tape or CD. Most venues will want to hear some of your music before they book you, so be sure to have a demo ready. You can also create an online profile on sites like SoundCloud or Bandcamp to showcase your music.
4. Follow up. After you’ve sent your demo, follow up with the venue to make sure they received it and see if they have any feedback for you. If they’re interested in booking you, they’ll usually get back to you within a few weeks.
With a little effort and perseverance, you should be able to book your first EDM gig in no time!
The Booking Process
Booking a gig can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the scene. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as the venue, the other bands, and the cost. However, if you follow these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to booking your first gig.
Identify your target market
To find out where your music fits best, you need to first identify your target market. Once you know who your target audience is, you can start targeting clubs, promoters, and venues that cater to that market.
If you’re not sure who your target market is, ask yourself the following questions:
-What kind of music do I play?
-What is my musical style?
-What is the overall tone and feel of my music?
-What are my musical influences?
After you’ve identified your target market, you can start research clubs, promoters, and venues that cater to that market. To get started, check out websites like Resident Advisor and Club Glow. You can also search for due dates for specific festivals on sites like Festicket.
Find promoters in your target market
Before you start cold-emailing promoters, take some time to do your research. Most successful artists have a good understanding of their target market. You should know the answer to the following questions:
-What type of music do I produce?
-What is the BPM range of my music?
-What is the typical length of my tracks?
-In which genre(s) would my music be classified?
-Who are my musical influences?
Now that you have a good understanding of your sound, it’s time to find promoters in your target market. The best way to do this is by attending shows and festivals in your genre and taking note of the promoters’ contact information. You can also find promoters by searching online directories, such as The DJ List and EDM Train.
When you have a list of potential promoters, it’s time to start emailing them. In your email, make sure to include the following:
-Your name and contact information
-A link to your music ( SoundCloud, YouTube, etc.)
-A brief description of your sound
-The date(s) you would be available to play
If a promoter expresses interest in booking you, they will usually send you a contract to sign. This contract will outline the details of your performance, such as the date, time, location, and compensation. Be sure to read the contract carefully before you sign it. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask the promoter for clarification.
Research the promoters
When you’re looking for gigs, the best thing to do is research the promoters in your area. Find out who promotes shows similar to the ones you’d like to play, and make a list of them. Once you have your list, you can start reaching out to promoters and try to book a gig.
The easiest way to contact a promoter is through email. Sending a cold email can be effective, but it’s even better if you have a personal connection with the promoter. If you know someone who knows the promoter, ask them to introduce you.
When you do contact a promoter, make sure to be professional. Send a well-written email with all the relevant information about your act, including links to your music and social media pages. Promoters are busy people, so it’s important to make it as easy as possible for them to understand what your act is all about.
Be patient when reaching out to promoters. It can take time to hear back from them, and sometimes promoters will say no. Don’t take it personally – just keep trying and eventually you’ll find someone who’s interested in booking you for a gig.
Contact the promoters
The first step in booking a gig is to find out who the promoters are for the type of event you want to play. You can search online, or ask around at local clubs and venues. Once you have a list of potential promoters, the next step is to reach out to them and introduce yourself.
When you contact a promoter, be professional and courteous. Explain who you are and why you would be a good fit for their event. It can be helpful to include links to your music, press photos, and anything else that will give the promoter a better idea of your act.
If the promoter is interested in booking you, they will usually send you a contract outlining the details of the gig. Be sure to read the contract carefully before signing it. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask the promoter before agreeing to anything.
The Gigs
Booking a gig can be a great way to make some extra money, but it can also be a lot of work. There are a few things you need to do in order to be prepared for your gig. You need to have a good online presence, be able to promote your gig, and have a great set.
Book the gig
When it comes to booking a gig, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is the type of venue you want to play at. Do you want to play at a club? A festival? A private event? Once you’ve decided on the type of venue, you need to find one that’s available and book it.
The second thing you need to consider is the type of music you’re going to play. Are you going to play your own original music, or are you going to play covers? If you’re playing covers, what songs are you going to play? You need to make sure that the music you’re playing is appropriate for the venue and the audience.
The third thing you need to consider is your fee. How much are you going to charge for your performance? This is something that you’ll need to negotiate with the venue owner or promoter.
Once you’ve taken all of these things into consideration, you’re ready to book your gig!
Prepare for the gig
Prepare for your gig by creating a list of the songs you want to play, along with their order. If you’re playing a live set, this is your setlist. If you’re DJing, this is your playlist. Either way, make sure you have enough music to last the entire time you’re playing, plus a few extra songs in case you want to extend your set.
Next, practice playing your set or mixing your tracks. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident when it’s time to perform. If you can, try to find a venue that’s similar to the one where you’ll be playing, so you can get a feel for the acoustics and lighting.
Finally, pack your gear ahead of time and double-check that everything is working properly. This will help ensure a smooth gig with no technical difficulties.
Play the gig
Now that you’ve found an event that you’re interested in and have checked their requirements, it’s time to start thinking about your set. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough music to fill the set time, and that the songs flow well together. It’s important to remember that you’re playing for a crowd, and they will be dancing! Make sure to choose music that will get them moving.
If you’re not sure what kind of music to play, take a look at the other DJs who are playing at the event. See what genre they are mostly playing and try to complement their style. You can also ask the event organizer for suggestions.
Once you have your set planned out, it’s time to start promoting yourself! Let people know that you’ll be playing at the event and make sure to post about it on social media. Make a flyer or video to help get the word out. The more people who know about your gig, the better!
Conclusion
Overall, the best way to book a gig is to have a great online presence, be responsive to bookers, and be open to negotiating. With a little hard work and persistence, you can score some great gigs and start building a name for yourself in the EDM scene.
