steantval Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 I'm currently in a new band that is playing a full set of material by the band Free. We are not going out as a looky likey tribute act but are playing the songs as a tribute to Free. We are very passionate about the material and play it as close to the original sounds as possible. Although Free were a four piece outfit we have an additional fifth player on keyboards as about 80% of Free's recordings featured keyboards (hammond, piano, mellatron). We have been rehearsing since February and are now ready to hit the live music circuit. Could anyone out there recommend any venues that would book our type of band? We are currently working on posters, demo's and a website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Good luck - you have taste! My band (in Hampshire) do The Hunter (and yes I know they didn't write it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDarkReaver Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Who are Free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 [quote name='TheDarkReaver' post='303435' date='Oct 9 2008, 11:39 PM']Who are Free?[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 [quote name='steantval' post='303420' date='Oct 9 2008, 10:16 PM']I'm currently in a new band that is playing a full set of material by the band Free. We are not going out as a looky likey tribute act but are playing the songs as a tribute to Free. We are very passionate about the material and play it as close to the original sounds as possible. Although Free were a four piece outfit we have an additional fifth player on keyboards as about 80% of Free's recordings featured keyboards (hammond, piano, mellatron). We have been rehearsing since February and are now ready to hit the live music circuit. Could anyone out there recommend any venues that would book our type of band? We are currently working on posters, demo's and a website.[/quote] Did you see Old Gits thread? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29328"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29328[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='TheDarkReaver' post='303435' date='Oct 9 2008, 11:39 PM']Who are Free?[/quote] ha ha You are a stirring person, I believe ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='Jase' post='303468' date='Oct 10 2008, 12:33 AM']Did you see Old Gits thread? [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29328"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29328[/url][/quote] Long way from Peterborough, Jase I'd say you approach your local venues where other bands already play 70's big flairs/big hair guitar hero rock and get a Monday or a support slot. Then progress from there. Play that place once every 6 months or so and then go to th next town's venues where bands already play 70's big flairs/big hair guitar hero rock and say "we played[name of venue] in [name of town] and rocked it, can we have a gig at your place please. Repeat 'til you have as many gigs as you want. Don't try to play in the same town more than once every 3 months or so as even the most die hard fans of Free won't want to shell out to see you more than that. If you do the clothes and wigs you may get some 70's night party gigs via tribute band agents ... but in general that kind of audience would be more interested in what their mates are wearing than our musically perfect reproductions of Free tunes .. The money's good though ... Don't bother with a website, do a good Myspace. Free and easy and it has the fan building communication links already built in for things like announcing gigs to followers etc. (unless you are selling your act to agents or direct to party and function band organisers, Then do a brilliantly fabulous 70's style hippy website, man.) A few thoughts.... Single band tribute gigs are a limited market. Mostly because they only have a few hits and well known tunes. The people into that stuff back then (ie my age) generally don't get off their bums and got to gigs so you are dependant on filling a pub on a regular basis with younger people who may like that historical stuff ... Bit risky, I'd say. Most people into big flairs/big hair 70's guitar hero rock will enjoy Alright Now, Wishing Well, Bad Company, Can't Get Enough, The Hunter and even Mr Big on a good night but a whole 2 x 45 set, hour and half of Free/Bad Co may be stretching it a bit. They didn't have that many hits and even Queen with Paul Rogers don't to more than about 7 of the Free/Bad Co greatest hits ... Why not spread the interest a bit (as you are not a lookalike tribute band) and do a first set of other stuff in the genre and period - Hendrix, Cream, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzie, Boston, Bowie, Eagles, Who .. etc and then a second set of the best of Free .. That might work well and would be a lot easier to sell to pub bookers and punters alike. "70's guitar hero night" Meanwhile google tells me that there's a venue called The Club With No Name near you that does rock [url="http://www.redambergreen.btinternet.co.uk/home.htm"]http://www.redambergreen.btinternet.co.uk/home.htm[/url] and The Park (get a support gig for a big name?) Good luck anyway .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 FWIW, there's a Free tribute band up our way who have been doing just fine for a few years now. Mind you, the North East was always a Free hot spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jase Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='303617' date='Oct 10 2008, 08:49 AM']Long way from Peterborough, Jase[/quote] Sorry didn't notice.....take the kids (if you have any) and the dog make a day of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3V17C Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) few in my part of East Anglia.... [url="http://www.brewery-tap.com"]www.brewery-tap.com[/url] used to be a very good venue, not as good these days but still ok with big stage and in house pa/engineer and has alot of tribute bands including 'heartbreaker' a paul rodgers tribute. [url="http://www.ipswichrailway.co.uk"]ipswich railway[/url] has tribute bands most fri/sat nights - though there are some tales of the management being complete gits - having said that i believe its being taken over by someone new soon. [url="http://www.thebrickmakers.com"]www.thebrickmakers.com/[/url] one of the main venues in Norwich, has tribute bands on quite often - good stage, pa, lights etc but difficult to get in with 'cliquey' band booker! [url="http://www.myspace.com/theladyofthelakeoulton"]lady of the lake[/url] - good large pub venue with stage, lights but no inhouse pa - has all kinds of bands peace c Edited October 10, 2008 by 3V17C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='3V17C' post='303633' date='Oct 10 2008, 10:03 AM']few in my part of East Anglia.... [url="http://www.brewery-tap.com"]www.brewery-tap.com [/url] used to be a very good venue, not as good these days but still ok with big stage and in house pa/engineer and has alot of tribute bands including 'heartbreaker' a paul rodgers tribute. [url="http://www.ipswichrailway.co.uk"]ipswich railway[/url] has tribute bands most fri/sat nights - though there are some tales of the management being complete gits - having said that i believe its being taken over by someone new soon.[/quote] The URL in your 'brewery tap' points to somewhere in Ireland - I've fixed it in my reply! We've heard the rumours about the Railway being up for sale, too. In the current climate, who knows. In Ipswich, you could add the Kingfisher to the list. They have a lot of tribute bands there. We've played there (though we're not a tribute band) and it was a cracking gig, loads of really appreciative punters, proper stage and an excellent sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 On Halloween/1st Nov we're playing Ebeneezers [private booking] and the Cherry Tree both in Peterborough. Both of these have bands but I'm not sure that Ebeneezers has many live bands on at the moment. ...and yes it is a long drive for me but I'm kipping in my van to keep the costs down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) Ah synchronicity in action .. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?s=&showtopic=29407&view=findpost&p=303796"]Basschat posting about a venue looking for rock bands[/url] isn't life wonderful sometimes ... Edited October 10, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Definitely get in touch with The Diamond, Sutton In Ashfield: [url="http://www.thediamonduk.com/frames.html"]http://www.thediamonduk.com/frames.html[/url] They specialise in tribute acts. East Midlands has at least one well established Free/Bad Co trib though, called Free At Last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='TheDarkReaver' post='303435' date='Oct 9 2008, 11:39 PM']Who are Free?[/quote] [b]I'm free![/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='TheDarkReaver' post='303435' date='Oct 9 2008, 11:39 PM']Who are Free?[/quote] You must be very young. This band was fronted by one of the best vocalist ever (in my opinion) Mr Paul Rodgers, now fronting Queen for their current tour and album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='3V17C' post='303633' date='Oct 10 2008, 10:03 AM']few in my part of East Anglia.... [url="http://www.brewery-tap.com"]www.brewery-tap.com[/url] used to be a very good venue, not as good these days but still ok with big stage and in house pa/engineer and has alot of tribute bands including 'heartbreaker' a paul rodgers tribute. [url="http://www.ipswichrailway.co.uk"]ipswich railway[/url] has tribute bands most fri/sat nights - though there are some tales of the management being complete gits - having said that i believe its being taken over by someone new soon. [url="http://www.thebrickmakers.com"]www.thebrickmakers.com/[/url] one of the main venues in Norwich, has tribute bands on quite often - good stage, pa, lights etc but difficult to get in with 'cliquey' band booker! [url="http://www.myspace.com/theladyofthelakeoulton"]lady of the lake[/url] - good large pub venue with stage, lights but no inhouse pa - has all kinds of bands Where is The Lady of the Lake located? peace c[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steantval Posted October 12, 2008 Author Share Posted October 12, 2008 [quote name='Adrenochrome' post='303678' date='Oct 10 2008, 10:54 AM']On Halloween/1st Nov we're playing Ebeneezers [private booking] and the Cherry Tree both in Peterborough. Both of these have bands but I'm not sure that Ebeneezers has many live bands on at the moment. ...and yes it is a long drive for me but I'm kipping in my van to keep the costs down.[/quote] Done Ebeneezers a few times before with previous bands, not really our scene as it's basically a working mens club and they play bingo in between sets!!!!! Played the Cherry Tree on numerous occasions and know Ann and Jess very well but we are trying to break away from the usual local pub circuit. Many Thanks anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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