10 Places to Play Gigs

Playing live doesn't mean you're restricted to grubby venues with flat beer, Live Unsigned's latest article gives some more interesting ideas on where to play, and how these can help you promote your band.


Are you bored of playing the same local venues as everybody else? Looking for a way of getting press by doing something special? Here are some places you can play that are unusual and interesting both for musicians and audiences. Get people talking and make things interesting (some of these ideas may require approval by authorities/local councils!) and remember to put a listing on Liveunsigned.com so people know about it :

1 – House Concerts – a big thing in the US and growing around the world, house concerts involve having a band play in your home. Hosts invite guests and ask them to make a donation for the artist, often the host provides a bed and food for the musicians. Many bands use house concerts as a way of filling days off between gigs and connecting with their most loyal fans. Why not email out to the people on your mailing list and ask if anyone is interested in hosting a concert in their home?

2 – Skate Parks – Skaters are often into music and skate parks are brilliant places to play for punk and metal bands (and others). Hire a PA and make it an event, collaborate with the skate park owners.

3 – Guerilla Gigs/Busking – Many artists started their career busking but many well known artists still like to play live on the streets, its often referred to as a guerilla gig. Laws on busking and what you can get away with vary from place to place. Tweet about it and get people down, even if it is at the last minute. Amanda Palmer from the Dresdon Dolls does this on her solo tours and it gives her a great chance to connect with fans (especially younger ones who can’t get into over 18’s clubs).

4 – The Launderette – London band Real Fur have converted their local launderette into a pop up venue – great idea and it got them a lot of press. Innovation gets people talking.

5 – Art Galleries – Great for ambient/acoustic artists and a chance to play to an audience you otherwise may not get a chance to play to. You’ll be amazed at the response from the art community if you just ask – offer to play for free and sell CD’s.

6 – Squats – In many cities there are whole squat scenes that attract an exciting art punk crowd. Watch out for an upcoming post on the Live Unsigned blog about squat scenes in more detail.

7 – Shops – Oxfam hold regular charity events in their shops called Oxjam, sometimes having well known bands play. Record shops and book shops often have live gigs. I once saw The Buzzcocks play in Selfridges!

8 – Museums – A friend of mine does regular gigs at the V & A museum in London as an experimental soundtrack to silent films. Museums often hold events, approach them and see if you can provide some appropriate and interesting music. Build relationships with people and see what happens.

9 – Bandstands and the great outdoors – Have you got a generator (or can hire one)? Then head out to the forest, park, bandstand or any open space and play. In London Bandstand Busking organise regular events in the bandstands in the squares of Central London (apparently the council turn a blind eye). Its even easier if you are an acoustic act. Doom metal band Kyuss used to play in the local desert in the early days.

10 – In the back of a cab – OK you’re not going get a big crowd into a cab but the Black Cab Sessions is a great example of people doing something interesting and developing an online following. The idea is people play live in the back of a cab and its recorded and posted on the internet. There are loads of other interesting ideas for “microgigs” from sheds to offices to cellars. Think of something personal that ties in with your vision as a band.

The point is you can play live anywhere there is a space – some acts may need more equipment than others (and its a good idea to keep an eye out for what the local council might say). The more interesting the better as this gets people talking on Twitter and Facebook and makes a great story for the press and bloggers. Ustream and video the event so you can share it with your online audience. Its got to be more fun than another gig at the same pub that everyone is playing at hasn’t it?