A medium length rant incoming: thread, aimed primarily at established touring bands, promoters, booking agents and managers. Please share accordingly. TLDR; PLAY THE REGIONS.
Last night I played Boston, UK, at the @TheGliderdrome. It's a lovely, classic venue, used to host all the greats in the 60s, but has been pretty dry in recent decades. Last big show they had there was @the_levellers in 2016.
Yesterday, we had over 1000 people in. Everyone at the venue was DELIGHTFUL (hi Steve and Danny), the show was awesome. Boston is off the beaten path, but get this: people live there, and they want to see shows.
In particular, after the show I met a young lady who told me this was her first show - EVER. She's a big music fan but can't afford to travel for shows. Finally someone played near where she lived. She was over the moon, as was I.
And here's the point: bands, especially touring bands who are on the up and doing well, should PLAY THE REGIONAL TOWNS (B markets, whatever). If you pay people the respect of going to them, they will repay with attendance and loyalty.
Everyone wins. You get a good show (1k+ is great! Your band is probably bigger than me, they could do more!). You sell merch, you get paid. People at the show have a blast. The venues prosper. The live music scene in the UK grows.
If your band only ever plays Manchester / Glasgow / Birmingham / London etc., once they're not on the radio anymore, your live audience will dwindle. Earn a crowd, and they'll stick with you.
You get to see more of the country as well, which is a privilege. Boston is lovely, so's Folkestone, Aylesbury, Croydon, Middlesbrough etc.
There are tons of great venues in smaller towns out there. Agents, seek them out. Bands / managers, ask to play in different places. This is important. Spread the word. And, to finish, I'll be back at the Glider as soon as I can. FIN.
Feel free to tag bands you like on this thread people.
