Today I'll be talking about band gigs, advertising, and promotion.
I learned early in my AD & Marketing days (1970's & 80's), when you advertise a band or concert event, it's all about the Who, what, where, when, why, and what time. The Six W's!
As long as you cover those six subjects in what you're advertising, you'll be ok.
Talking about promoting an upcoming band gig (In the internet age).
Because drawing a crowd isn’t just about playing well onstage, it’s about creating excitement before people even walk through the door. Here are a few ways that I've learned over the years, how a band can attract fans to their upcoming gig.
As simple as it may seem, start promoting smart & early.
Social Media Buzz – Post teasers, flyers, rehearsal clips, and behind-the-scenes content.
Use countdowns (“3 days until we rock…”) ("See you this Friday").
-
Event Pages – Use platforms like Facebook Events, Instagram, Bandsintown, or Songkick to get listed.
Don’t just sell it as “another gig.” Highlight what’s different, a theme, special guest, new song debut, or even free merch for the first 20 people.
A strong poster/flyer design with bold visuals grabs attention (especially at the venue and local hangouts).
The use of colorful posters & flyers, with a group picture of the band, including the Who, what, where, when, why, and what time on the flyer, is a quick and easy way to catch the attention of your fans for your upcoming shows.
* One flyer that caught my attention on Facebook this week is this awesome flyer for this coming Saturday night. It includes a cool picture of
The Hit Squad (Who), who will be performing this Saturday night, September 6th (When), at 9pm (What time), at
the Bonfire LV (Where), they'll be performing 70's, 80's, and 90's rock (What), at their "Let Love Rule" show (Why).
Add an "
Event Link" and it's done! The perfect music event announcement!
This band gig event flyer kicks major booty!
Go See Them!
{More ways to attract larger crowds}
Encourage friends, family, and loyal fans to share the event online. Word-of-mouth is still one of the most powerful tools.
Work with other bands on the lineup, and you’ll double or triple your reach by sharing fanbases.
Partner with the venue and nearby businesses, coffee shops, record stores, tattoo shops, etc, to display flyers or even run ticket giveaways.
Local radio, community calendars, and online groups (Facebook groups, Reddit, etc.) can spread the word.
Post “soundcheck sneak peeks” or a quick live stream to remind fans it’s happening tonight.
Offer something like a QR code on your socials for discounted or free entry before a certain time.
Poll your followers: “Which cover do you want us to play?” or “Vote on our set opener!”
Sharing fan photos or tagging them after gigs makes people more likely to show up again.
Nothing attracts fans like word-of-mouth after a killer show. If people know you bring energy, fun, and connection every time, they’ll bring their friend's next time.
{My Take}
My Golden Rule.
The bands that succeed are the ones that connect both on and off of the stage with their fans!
GE - Gary England
