Booking Bands

ANyone have advice on booking bands?

I've been doing the usual calling and emailing venues, sending press kits, etc., but I can't believe how hard it is to get a booking agent at a club/bar on the phone. They're never there when bartenders or whoever answers the phone says they will be. It's damn annoying!

Anyone have experiences to share?

Thanks,
Rand

i don't have any experience but this is something that i want to get into. i would love to become a booking agent for a club to pull in all kinds of bands for the venue.

I'd suggest getting a booking agent to book shows for you. The standard pay is 15% of whatever is made at a show. Clubs pay attention to this kind of thing. Most clubs don't take a band seriously if the band members are calling, e-mailing, etc.... To them, it makes a band look more professional if the band has a booking agent and/or manager booking the shows.

Then the whole circle thing comes into play. Most booking agents won't take on a brand new band. Gotta have the following of fans. But, you can't get fans without shows, and it's hard to get shows without a pro booking agent. That's why it's good for newer bands on the scene to enter any kind of battle of the bands type of thing. It's a great way to get your foot in the door at certain clubs and be heard.