How important is touring?

[Greg_L]

wow...

I can't believe what I'm reading from some of you. .

I know. Some of you are really fucking naive.

 

[ez_willis]

wow...

I can't believe what I'm reading from some of you. No shit most bands never go anywhere or amount to anything if this is your attitude. Touring is probably the most important thing a band can do. Of course once you're ready that is.

First it'll expose people that would have never heard of you to your stuff
Second it's the true test to see if your band chemistry works
third it's the freaking best time ever.. yes even if you play a shitty show.. If you're all bummed out about losing money and playing to less than great venues to start then stay at home.. play your local bar and stop whining about how the music industry is so hard to get into.

You'll never do it unless you get yourself out there. I still believe the old method of building a fan base, even if it's one fan at a time is the only way to really build a successful career.. Of course if you're not interested in that than you won't want to tour but if you are start booking shows.

yes. this^^^^^^^^^^^

and seafroggy should stfu about not touring if a band can't draw people to a gig near home. no one ever said that.

 

[Seafroggys]

Then I would place you somewhere between Eugene, Oregon and Victoria, BC.
They are playing for tips here.

Yep, Portland

 

[LDS]

How often do you guys go see an out-of-town band you've never heard of?

 

[Greg_L]

How often do you guys go see an out-of-town band you've never heard of?

Never.....ever.

 

[ez_willis]

How often do you guys go see an out-of-town band you've never heard of?

never, but i've been introduced to good bands that have played with other bands that i like.

 

[Jim Lad]

Yep, Portland

 

[Jouni]

This is a difficult question.

You CAN make it happen both ways, tour and gig OR maintain a decent online-thing going on...
My first metal band has toured and thrown shitty gigs in small places with 10 or so people, for years, then hopped on the bill with some bigger names. Finally, a some sort of ratty record-deal is under discussion, and invites to abroad playing in a festival... Maybe 30-50 people even know of us at our hometown. It has taken a LOT more money than given back this far, since most of the gigging costs are played by the band thus far.

The second band of mine.. threw 3 small gigs, then toured 3 gigs with a big-name Norwegian outfit, and inked a multi-album deal from a foreign label. THAT is due to having decent online representation, AND a Manager.
A decent Manager will do more than touring, and a lot faster!.. At least here in Finland, where the "scene" is ruled by a not-so-huge-number of people. That is, if you want to go forward, not just enjoy the playing... a video in Youtube, myspace-pages and social websites have helped. This band has thrown ONE gig at our hometown, and is known to, maybe, 30 people at home. ..most of them taxi-drivers roading our drunken asses in and out of the rehealsals.

 

[Jouni]

I would like to add, that the no-money no-people gigging of the first band got me really not-willing to throw gigs at all!...
The band chemistry is not an issue, we're having rehealsals today, drinks and sauna for the rest of the day!. But the sheer WORK and loss of your days out of work (yes, I do intent to keep my day job) not to mention the drinking all your money, has made gigging a turnoff for me... And I'm getting a tad old too.

 

[Slowrider]

Prostitution....that's what touring is like.


If you can't sell yourself, you may be in the wrong endeavor.

 

[newcomputeruser]

only if you want to make money

The internet has a potential audience of millions, if you can harness it effectively. So do you think touring has the same profound effect on the success of a band these days?

Do you think it's necessary to have some sort of name for yourself before playing shows? Or is it just one of those things where you have to pay your dues and go through the motions of starting out playing shows to 1 or 2 people and build up?

Obviously, recordings can never replace a live show. But how have you worked up to the point where you can play to a decent audience?

Any and all thoughts welcome!

touring is necesssary to make a lot of money
when you get to that level of skill and fanbase

first you will have to get a fan base by playing local gigs
then moving along to regional gigs while selling merch and getting a mailing list etc

continue promotion and performing and hope to get a lucky break to sign to do albums and tour