I think I shared this before and being the procrastinator I can be I havent done it with my current band.
But if you are starting a band from the ground up it might be prudent as a band leader to write out some sort of business plan for your group.
In my case our band has basically evolved to playing 1-3 gigs a month, so I would think that a band should address how much people really want to get out and play. Obviously if one member wants to play 5 nights a week and try to make his living playing, another member with a family and kids in little league isnt going to be able to committ to that kind of playing schedule.
Next what do the members expect from the band as far as pay. Our band basically works on the principle that we have to have $100 a man a night and that includes the soundman. So our base asking price is $500 a night. We ask more than that but will settle for 500, big money.
As far as material, I will address a cover band situation. I think you really need to look at who you are trying to play for. If you have certain venues you want to play, go see the successful bands that play there. What are they playing? If you are a competent cover musician there is no reason you cant have 100 or so songs in your song list. I would suggest 20-30% be the regular old standard songs that no one wants to play. Weve discussed this in countless threads. My band can play YYZ by Rush and no one gives a hoot other than the other musicians, then I break into Sweet Home and the place goes wild. Im not suggesting songs here just saying go see bands that are playing where you want to be playing and see what works and what doesnt. In short cover your ass.
Figure out where you want to play and add that to the plan.
Im getting real wide again, cause there is so much to cover.
A working band is a business. The members have to be compensated either monetarily or artistically enough to stay in the project. Some sort of audience must be addressed and made happy. Any venue owners have to be kept happy so you can keep playing gigs. Once again a written plan for a startup might be a good suggestion. Even go so far as having people sign the thing. That way down the road the "leader" can pull the plan out and say "Hey this is what we agreed to when we started"
But if you are starting a band from the ground up it might be prudent as a band leader to write out some sort of business plan for your group.
In my case our band has basically evolved to playing 1-3 gigs a month, so I would think that a band should address how much people really want to get out and play. Obviously if one member wants to play 5 nights a week and try to make his living playing, another member with a family and kids in little league isnt going to be able to committ to that kind of playing schedule.
Next what do the members expect from the band as far as pay. Our band basically works on the principle that we have to have $100 a man a night and that includes the soundman. So our base asking price is $500 a night. We ask more than that but will settle for 500, big money.
As far as material, I will address a cover band situation. I think you really need to look at who you are trying to play for. If you have certain venues you want to play, go see the successful bands that play there. What are they playing? If you are a competent cover musician there is no reason you cant have 100 or so songs in your song list. I would suggest 20-30% be the regular old standard songs that no one wants to play. Weve discussed this in countless threads. My band can play YYZ by Rush and no one gives a hoot other than the other musicians, then I break into Sweet Home and the place goes wild. Im not suggesting songs here just saying go see bands that are playing where you want to be playing and see what works and what doesnt. In short cover your ass.
Figure out where you want to play and add that to the plan.
Im getting real wide again, cause there is so much to cover.
A working band is a business. The members have to be compensated either monetarily or artistically enough to stay in the project. Some sort of audience must be addressed and made happy. Any venue owners have to be kept happy so you can keep playing gigs. Once again a written plan for a startup might be a good suggestion. Even go so far as having people sign the thing. That way down the road the "leader" can pull the plan out and say "Hey this is what we agreed to when we started"
"A winks as good as nod to a blind man"