As we bump along the lower strata of the Birmingham gig scene I think it's time to lift the lid on the mechanics of how it all works. It can go from almost pyramid sales techniques to pure music lovers in the space of a gig and the last two gigs have encapsulated both extremes of gig promotion in Birmingham. The promoters can be split into three categories for our purposes, the "career" promoter and the "music fan" promoter and the "Third way" promoter.

The "career" promoter is usually looking for a way into the music biz, these gigs are usually four bands for £4 entry fee and unless you get 15 people who say they've come to see you then you will be paid nothing whether you've had to transport the back line in two cars or not. Here's a quote from the email we got from Club Uncooked.

"Tickets
This gig has a £4 entry fee. When each band reaches there minimum target of 15 they will receive a £1 per ticket. When a band gets over 25 they receive £2 per ticket sold. "

The "third way" promoter will pay the bands a pound each for whoever comes through the door and this increases to £1.50 a head if you get over 30 people eg Catapult Club

The gig at The Flapper on 01/05/08 was promoted by Club Uncooked and falls into the category of "career" promoter. We were launching our new EP  and it was a good gig with great sets from Gamble Gamble and Cobweb Dilemma's. As we didn't reach his target of people coming through the door on a wet Thursday night and despite us providing the back line and headlining the gig the promoter didn't even bung us a token £10 for petrol.  That smacks of  pay to play in my book and I don't think we'll be doing any more of these kind of gigs. Club Uncooked aren't the only ones who work this way, the worst case i've seen is  headline bands at the Mono Bar  have to  buy 20 tickets at £80 and support acts 15 tickets at £60  before you can play.

In total contrast the gig at the island bar on the 09/05/08 was organised by Mike and Hils who run Freakin Legend music co-operative promotions and who definitely come under the category of music fan promoters.They are in it for the music and have the insane glow of  people on a mission.They run their gigs as non profit so all the door after expenses goes to the bands. The gig was another stormer with a really eclectic line up including Jazz Thrash Assassins,  Reverie ("This is our first time in Leicester!") and Lime Chalks. The crowd were a good reflection of the promoters philosophy, judging by the great responses given to all the bands. A special mention to the Jazz Thrash Assassins drummer who refused to let anyone use his drum stool as it had been specially moulded to his specific buttock requirements!

Here's a copy of the Freakin Legends Manifesto

This whole subject links in with this discussion going on at Created in Birmingham 

Next gig is a Catapult Club promoted gig at the Hare and Hounds supporting The Clouds on Thursday 29/05/08 onstage 10pm.

Next weeks subject, sound-men! 

JS