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Shouldn’t Concert Promoters Promote Concerts?

Posted By:
Matt
Posted On:
August 23rd, 2007
Posted In:
Music
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I was always under the impression that musicians wrote and played music and concert promoters organized and promoted concerts. Much to the dismay of most active musicians it seems most promoters have decided to pass the tedious task of promoting to the musician.

Any band looking to play a show in most clubs in Toronto will be told “Sure you can play, just make sure you bring out 50 people. If you do maybe I’ll put you on a better show next time.” I can tell you that more often than not that better show never happens, no matter how many people you bring out to the show. But that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is that if you bring out 50 people you will probably be paid a maximum of $50 for your troubles. If cover is $10 the band just made $500, they get 10% in return?

I admit that most of these bands I’m talking about are just starting out and would probably not draw 50 strangers to a show on a week night in Toronto. But these bands are eager, these bands put up posters, spam people on MySpace and Facebook, bother family members and ask friends for huge favours to get those 50 people to the show. They also write the music, record the demos that are good enough to get the promoter to even talk to them and rehearse a bunch of times a week. These bands are busting their asses and all the promoter did was call the venue and ask to book a day, that doesn’t sound like it’s worth 90% of the profit to me.

Down with lazy promoters. Bands, call the club and book your own show. What ever happened to the good old days, when promoters promoted and live music thrived? Bands don’t have the time to promote concerts, it’s not what they do best.

Promoters, put up posters and hand out flyers at shows leading up to yours. Contact local college radio/internet radio stations and get the bands on your show some air time, spam people on MySpace, Facebook and message boards. Get the word out about your show and earn your money. Stop being lazy and start being a Concert PROMOTER.

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