Band

by Jon
(Hinckley, OH)

I have absolutely NO problem with what the clubs are doing. I personally prefer selling tickets... I'd rather KNOW someone is coming to my show because I sold them a ticket, rather than HOPE they're coming because I put out an online ad (or something similar.) The bottom line is that if a band isn't willing to work for themselves, why should a club be willing to work for them? Bands need to take pride in their music, and if they do, what's wrong with asking your friends to come see you by selling them a ticket? It's the same as Ticketmaster, just a more personal way of doing things.

And it's also a great way for a band to make money down the road - the fact is that once a band has established a reputation for drawing a large crowd and making the club money, the band can then book their own shows on their own terms at any club in town. Selling tickets is an investment in a band's future - unfortunately, most musicians are too near-sighted to see this.

I think it's a simple concept - take any local musician who hates selling tickets or promoting themselves, then give them a bar or club they paid for with their own money. They have to pay staff, overhead, you name it - give them two months of booking bands and not making them sell tickets, and they'll change their tune REALLY fast when they're busy bleeding money.

Bands need to give clubs reason to let them play there, and to continue to give artists places to ply their trade. Selling tickets is the most direct way to do that. It provides a GUARANTEED audience, which is GUARANTEED income for the venue.

Pretty simple.