Between the Berklee bubble and the city’s burgeoning pop-folk-stomp-clap-kiss-your-sister-holler-to-Noah-Kahan scene is Boston’s indie music community: a small, somewhat disparate group of enduring musicians who are making spaces, communities, and music open to any and all.
If you’re a budding musician and you just moved to Somerville (or the Greater Boston area), this is a guide to help you book your first show in our fair cities!
Step One: Go to Shows
If you’re new to the area, a great first step is going to shows! For ticketed shows at official venues, I recommend checking bills through Get2TheGigBos, EyeDesign, and iBookThings! There’s also a trying network of house and basement venues – ask a friend. Attending shows is the best way to get acclimated, connected, and invested.
Step Two: Befriend Musicians
Before, during, and after shows, talk to musicians and folks in the crowd at shows. I’ve come to appreciate how approachable musicians are here. Hit the merch table after the gig and talk to a band and swap information.
Step Three: Organize a Bill
As you attend more shows and meet more folks, you’ll get a sense of who might compliment your sound on a bill. Short of that, just throw a bill together with friends! A mix of genres can be fun for a crowd – just be thoughtful about order and draw between groups. Make the night feel cohesive.
Step Four: Decide on a Venue
For small groups looking to book a formal venue, I suggest contacting The Jungle, The Lilypad (room fee applicable), Club Passim, Silhouette Lounge, or Faro Cafe.
If you want something slightly more DIY, consider Warehouse XI or Exit Galleries. You’ll need a sound person for both venues, but both (last I checked) have an in-house PA. Note that Warehouse XI is double the capacity of Exit Galleries at 100 people.
If you're looking for an easy exposure gig, look no further than Boston’s thriving brewery scene. I recommend Remnant Brewing, Notch Brewing and Aeronaut’s Allston location for gigs. Sound support and PA systems will vary -- consult with the venue ahead of time.
Step Five: Contact the Booker
Send an email to the person responsible for booking the show! There are plenty of guides (and Instagram reels) out there with tips on how to place a booking inquiry, but core details include band info/EPK, available dates, anticipated draw, and if you have it, local ticket sales history! It’s ideal to have a bill figured out ahead of time, too. But some bookers are happy to help you find locals to play with.
Step Six: Book the Show
Once you find a date, snag it! It's ideal to book at least a month out to leave time for promotion. Some venues work off a “holds” system in which acts can request to reserve dates and confirm at a later date. Bookers often refer to the queue as a H(1, 2, 3, 4, etc). As an example, if you select a date that has two holds and you'd like to confirm, the booker will contact the first two holds to see if they still want the date. If neither act confirms, the date is yours!
Step Seven: Promote Your Show
Congratulations on booking your first show! Now it's time to get the word out. Some tried and true methods listed below.
Flyering: You already have to create a visual for your show, why not post it around town? Add a QR code on the poster linking to the ticket page.
Social media: Daily Instagram stories, biweekly reels, and weekly grid posts are a great way to engage and grow your audience in the lead up to a show.
Local partnerships: Team up with breweries, retail shops, and local colleges on ticket sales/promotion! Brainstorm a partnership that benefits both parties, but some tried and true methods are revenue shares, custom beers, or pop-ups.
Step Eight: Prepare for the Show
You'll want to prep a few things before the show. Consider making a setlist, though do your thing. Definitely make a stage map for the sound person. Line up a photographer/videographer to capture your performance. Design and order merchandise to sell after the show and run an email list sign-up sheet at the merch table.
Step Nine: Play the Show
It's the big night! Get out there and rock it! Stick around and talk to folks after. Thank your sound person, tip your bartender.
Step 10: Document the Show
If you had a photographer/videographer at your show, get that media out to your fans! Thank everyone for coming and use the show to build excitement. Follow up with the venue to get total ticket sales and note that for your next show.
Don't rinse, but repeat. Rock n' Roll, my friend.
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