FANS HAVE A LIFE TOO
What bands many times forget to consider is that fans actually have a life. These days there is so much cool stuff to do between gaming and other pastimes.
Even before this hyperactive Internet Social Media environment, studies showed that fans needed at least three months to build a desire to see a band again.
If the band played more often than every three months in one geographical area, the fans burned out on them. “Oh they play all the time. We can always go see them." In other words, you are not special.
The best thing a band can do is to set up a circuit of clubs that takes the band to each area no more often that once every three months. The longer the gap, the more excited the fan is to see the band. The better the band's "draw" will be.
Big draw touring bands do one circuit every year or two. That way their fans are fresh, excited to see them. They sell out their shows. Your band needs to be special, not commonplace.
When playing a new club, try to open right before a popular local band. That guarantees that there will be potential fans there to see you. It also takes pressure off your band to fill the house.
Try to avoid the closing slot, as the fans that came to see the headliner will leave, hook up, get lucky, hasta la vista! You'll be playing to bare floor.
A headline slot is an ego trip. The support slot is more valuable. Don’t try to headline in an area before you have a local draw to support it. If you open for a popular band, the club will be full of fans that want a good position by the stage for their band. They will be belly up to the stage to see you. This is your best slot to build your fan base.
If you find your draw is diminishing in an area, that may mean you are overplaying that club (Or you suck). At the end of the day, always remember the reason the club will want you there is to sell alcohol.
If you are not bringing wallets in the door, don't bring alcohol customers, no matter how good you think you are, you are worthless to the club.
If you don’t bring people, you won’t make the club money and they won’t want you there. If you don’t make the club money, then you are not an “entertainer”; you are a club leech.
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