This weeks rant is about something that has really started happening in the scene lately that is starting to get pretty out of control.  It is not anything bad persay, just something that if it continues it could become much more of a problem than it is now.

When bands and entertainers jump onto a bill, and they are ready to go out and sell their tickets, they immediately start selling themselves and their sets.  I would like to think it is not intentional that they totally overlook the other bands playing the same night as them.  Granted, the scene is started getting pretty large, and the talent that bands are playing with range from “start up band” to “local headliner”. 

Whatever the case is, people are paying for a ticket.  Generally they are throwing $8 – $15 a ticket your way, times 2 for a couple to go out and see these shows that you are selling.  Sell the show.  Sell the other bands on there too.  This is a GREAT way to promote the scene as a whole and to get people to keep coming out.  If you continue to sell just yourself, it will get harder and harder to sell that ticket if the same people have seen your stage show 20 times this year alone.  You can use this as a major advantage when promoting your shows.

I know myself I have always asked who else is on the bill.  It has always been very difficult to sell me on going to see just one single band.  I want to go and see 2, maybe 3, and if there are more bands that I have never heard of then it is a great oppurtunity to open up and maybe find some new talent.  People like value for the dollar, and the more value you give them, the easier sell it will be for you.  Yes, in the end chances are they are buying the ticket because they know YOU, and they want to see YOU, but if you can talk and tell them about the rest of the show it means larger crowds for everyone involved. 

In the end, when you are getting people to come out to see you play, yes, always sell yourself but don’t forget about the rest of the show.  This can be a full day of entertainment for someone on a low budget for $20 for 2 people.  This is a great selling point.  In the end, it will result in your fans finding other bands they enjoy to see, and those bands you are playing with, well their fans will stick around and see you.  This will do nothing but be positive for the entire scene.

Frank Arena
Project Backstage