Why The Right Press Coverage And Social Media Strategy Makes Or Breaks Local Bands

It seems that when I communicate with other music scenes across the US, the question 'How's the music scene in Las Vegas doing?' always gets brought up. My go-to answer is always; time will tell.

 I've been sitting back since early this summer watching the local Las Vegas music scene settle since the closings of two very popular venues (Count's Vamp'd & Club Madrid Sunset Station) that have been local band-friendly for quite a few years.

The closures of these two local music venues left a big hole in the music scene, leaving bands and musicians looking for other venues to perform at.

Even months after the closings, I hear fans and musicians alike saying, It's just not the same without Count's Vamp'd and Club Madrid around! 

Life and music go on, or do they?

Some bands have found work; some bands have not. A few bands have gigs here and there; some bands haven't been seen since early this summer.

A handful of local bands just keep on rolling. Climbing the ladder to music success! So, what do these bands do differently than their counterparts in the music industry?

Being in the media for many years, I've seen bands and musicians come and go. My answer to why some bands have staying power and some bands don't, may be a little bit slanted, but here are my thoughts.

Press and social media are essential because they amplify visibility, build credibility, and create direct fan engagement; together, they help bands break out of local scenes and reach industry recognition.

Three bands that I've recently written about in my blogs (The Far Worst, Heroine Honey, and Cyanide) are perfect examples of how top-shelf bands use the press and social media to their advantage. Not a day passes that I don't see a post on their social media pages. They're entertaining, fan-friendly, and very creative posts that get your attention! 

The Far Worst, Heroine Honey, and Cyanide are awesome!

These three bands are doing everything right!

~Gary England~

The days of posting a band's upcoming gig a time or two a week or two before the event on social media are a thing of the past. Now bands have to stay in front of their fans' eyes each and every day. 

Bands that want to reach the next level in the entertainment industry need both press and social media working in tandem. Press provides the professional validation that industry insiders respect, while social media delivers the grassroots energy that fans crave. Together, they create momentum—press opens doors, social media fills the seats!

GE