Searching ‘Music Venues Near Me’ To Find Gigs
When it comes to booking gigs, it can seem overwhelming. The good news is it’s not hard, it just takes time. It also depends on what type of artist you are. You’ve most likely started with searching for “music venues near me” to understand where you might be able to play.
Here are 5 easy tips to help you find gigs in your area:
What Kind Of Artist Are You?
Not all music venues are going to host your style of music. It’s important to understand what kind of venues in your area host your type of music. Here is how to find out:
The first thing you should do is find other artists who are like you in your area. Maybe you know of some already or you can ask a friend. You can look also post on a Reddit thread for recommendations on good artists like you in your city. From there, you can check upcoming gigs on the artist’s website or Facebook groups. This will tell you what other venues are hiring bands like yours.
Use An Online Booking Service.
Companies like Special Guest, GigSalad, and The Bash are all great platforms where venues and event planners find artists. Do the work to find out how to get listed on these platforms and you’ll automatically get gig offers in your area.
Do A Deep Dive
We’ve all been there. When you google “music venues near me” you get a ton of listings and it’s a bit overwhelming and confusing. This is where a bit of work comes in.
First, switch to a “map view” so you can ensure the venues are near you.
From there, create a spreadsheet or checklist to ensure you’re keeping track of your research.
Next, you’ll want to go through the list of venues. TIP: Right-click the venue name and click “open link in new tab” so you can keep track of where you are on the map view.
From there, in each venue you look at you’ll want to look at 2 things:
- Check the venue’s website for “entertainment” or “event” listings.
- Check the venue’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter group for any promotions.
Leave Your House
Remember that? When did you use to walk out the door into the real world? Unfortunately, you’ll have to do it again to find some gigs. Plan a Saturday night out and go to busy neighborhoods in your area, explore different venues and rooms, you never know what you might find.
Network
Out of all the strategies mentioned here, this is the most important.
Word of mouth is the best way to keep tabs on gigs in your area. It’s also a great way to let people know you’re actively looking for gigs. Get out there and make friends. If there are open mics, jams, or collaborative opportunities take all the time to network you can. There are also groups on Reddit and Facebook where you can strike up conversations with like-minded people.