Getting PAs
Introduction
Finding the best place for your PA is going to take a bit of work.
It's not always obvious who to call and you need to make sure the venue is right for you.
Read on for:
Finding a venue
Who to talk to
Why you need to check the dress code
Checking who is doing the marketing
"We have a promoter who books the bigger acts and I deal with the local artists. The promoter tells us who's playing and I book local artists to support them."
James Baker
Venue Manager
Finding a Venue
You've probably already raved at most of the places you're likely to want to play. If not, have a look through the listings in your local paper or pick up some fliers in record shops.
If it's a venue you haven't been to before make sure you check it out first - it helps to form a picture in your mind of what your performance may look, feel and sound like.
If you can, try and talk to anyone you know who's performed there before.
They may be able to give you some tips about the sound check and the promoter and any other things you may need to know.
If there aren't any live venues in your area consider booking a community hall or function room in a hotel or bar. It's not ideal but plenty of artists have started out like this.
Who To Talk To
It differs from club to club.
Some places have a separate promoter who's nothing to do with the actual running of the bar/club and others have a system where the club owner also books the PAs.
Check out the flyers that you get given at clubs and those you find in the record shops.
They'll have the number for the promoters and club owners that you need to speak to.
Also search the internet and any music magazines that deal with your style of music.
Hang around the record shops and ask other DJs and MCs which clubs are doing it.
The same venue might keep cropping up.
That's where you should be aiming for.
Dress Code
The worst thing that can happen is none of you can get in because there's a no trainers, no sportswear, no baseball hats door policy!
It happens more often than you think, and the joke of it is if you miss your spot the bouncers won't care one bit.
Make sure that you ask the promoter about the dress code and then double check that your people are sure about it.
One long journey to see a PA that doesn't happen can put them off for life (well until you get to the MOBOs anyway!).
Who Is Marketing
It's always worth making sure that your PA gets a mention in any underground magazines, local press and relevant websites.
Make sure you meet the copy deadline for informing local press - check it out for yourself but they'll usually need at least a couple of weeks' notice.
Make sure that as many people as possible know about the PA. Do everything you can to generate some interest. Put fliers in record shops and spread the word.
"We do local press. We also do e-mails and 10,000 fliers a fortnight with our live music listings on them. We still expect the acts to do as much as physically possible to pull a crowd, though."
Rupert Dell
Promoter
More... from How to...
Promote live PAs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/promotion/gigsp01.shtml
MC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/mcp01.shtml
Rehearse for a PA
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/1xmusic/performing/rehearsep01.shtml
More... from the web
大象传媒i What's On
Searchable for venue details
http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/livemusic/
(c) 大象传媒 1Xtra 1XMusic 2006