Booking yourself shows as a small artist (tips for what venues to play and how to strategize)

[@ryanhuxleyeducation]

I’m 5’11. Not exactly small but not big either. Thanks for the tips.

[@BookedAndBlessedWithHollie]

'looking to play in a not empty room'... absolutely!

[@Llynks]

its a real vibe hahah

[@michaelcoughlin8238]

I'm actually researching opening a small music venue. This was very informative. Nice to get the perspective of the artist. I'll check out your other titles and see if anything else is pertinent to my research.

[@Llynks]

amazing! i'm glad it could help!!

[@therealdeal26]

Hopefully you have got the chance to follow up on the music venue to put yourself and others that have true meaning to their music. Lmk

[@scottk27332]

How are you making out on the venue? I am considering the same

[@mikecoughlin4128]

@@scottk27332 I did a lot of research then put it aside. Some family concerns took priority. Might get back to it. Good luck to you!

[@followinggrey8709]

I did some shows as an individual performer..and overall they broke my spirit..thanks to you I'll try again. Very inspirational.

[@RonBaker456]

Keep going. I've done solo shows singing with acoustic for 30 years and as long as you get better it gets better.

[@_jjcaballero]

Dude, got to this video a year late, but OH MAN THANK YOU! I've been playing gigs and touring for like 20 years now and the pandemic really knocked me on my booty. But hearing this ... very glad to not be alone in this! New subscriber!

[@Llynks]

u are so not alone in it hahah

[@lawrencerasmus]

I played in a bar during the ATV jamboree , hadn't played in a year and it was rough remembering 125 songs 🤔

[@Llynks]

haha it is quite the job memorizing all of the things

[@makrisaudio5638]

I played cello on the street in San Francisco and made $50 an hour on average

[@Llynks]

that's amazing

[@NeungView]

I play electric guitar in the street and make about 30€ an hour

[@221b-l3t]

​@@NeungView Seriously? I've thought about getting one of those battery powered amps, most have an audio input as well perfect for backing tracks. I've thought about giving it a try, I like doing blues, I think people enjoy that. 30/h is definetly more than I make at my day job and I prefer playing the guitar a lot more than delivering pizza.

[@spookyish6713]

this is honestly so inspirational man

[@Llynks]

Glad you liked it!

[@sophiawestort9576]

Omg dude I grew up in Shrewsbury MA that’s so cool that u were there and I’m watching this vid!! Thank you for the tips!

[@Llynks]

oh no way hahahah

[@stephenfagan4859]

this is so helpful and accessible and easy to understand thank you for posting this

[@Llynks]

glad it was helpful!

[@vancave6453]

Yes it’s been a while since I’ve done a show this is very informative

[@Llynks]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Therealwanofficial]

Just watched your playlist video and was like okay lets see what else shes got your music is amazing hope to work with you if possible 🔥🤙🏾🔥

[@Llynks]

thank you for listening!!

[@Therealwanofficial]

@@Llynks no problem 🔥🤙🏾

[@Officialtduggie]

this was very insightful thank you!

[@Llynks]

Glad I could help!

[@johnathanschaaf8731]

Great video with very helpful info. Sorry I'm only seeing it 2 years after you posted it. I hope your bookings are still going well.

[@beaubarkley9083]

Loved your video! Would you mind dropping the template you're using as an email?

[@spookyish6713]

I love how u keep ur videos real dude, looking forward to more vids! u shud do some artist journally stuff (if u wanttt )

[@Llynks]

thanks! looking to do more of that in the future too!

[@bryaneyberg]

I also live in the Boston area and in my last band we had a harder time getting gigs sim Boston than we did in New York. Maybe that was just our situation or our manager but we found it hard to perform at places like The Black Rose in Boston but we were in New York like twice a month.

[@elijahharms935]

Thank you for making this video!

[@Llynks]

thanks for watching!

[@benkates]

Hey great video!! Lots of good insight here. Did you mention you have a template for emailing venues? Where can we find that?

[@atlassasha]

Ugh, too true about playing empty rooms and basements in NYC. I didn't realize you were an NYC musician. Will take this advice into account as I ramp up my original material too. I've always had mixed feelings about playing acoustic sets because I felt like most people just wanted to hear covers, even if you mix in originals. Its hard to find the balance where you feel you're being true to yourself but also being palateable. Funny how you joke about not having friends. Music is pretty isolating; I feel since I left my traditional career and went on to do music I've lost a lot of friends, for no other reason than just having less in common. Do you have that problem too?

[@Llynks]

Hey thanks for watching!! Yes i was playing original material when I was playing out, but also putting in a healthy mix of covers. Yes music is extremely isolating and I have totally struggled with friendships!! You are definitely not alone on that one.

[@AshandEricMusic]

Did you end up moving!? I just stumbled across this video and hey! We're in Worcester!

[@Llynks]

hi!! i am v behind at responding to comments. i'm in framingham but moving into bos in may!

[@philfallway]

Great tips and advice. Planning to finally book some paying gigs flying solo this summer, so very relevant for me. Digging your Comply EP as well. +1Sub🤘

[@Llynks]

nice!!! thank you!

[@jonashershberger]

This is very helpful thank you for sharing!

[@AFC891]

I live in Boston. Did you move into the city? Where have you had success? I also would love to hear your music

[@Llynks]

yes i'm in jamaica plain now. slowly building shows up in surrounding states and building up students for teaching while i release more music! my music can be found on all streaming platforms under Llynks

[@samoyajordon9532]

this is some great advice, thank you for that

[@reflectingtrees6173]

Great advice, cheers

[@Llynks]

thanks!

[@juniordunkley2751]

Listen to this lady she rocks

[@Llynks]

lol

[@yp09874]

Great Video! I also think Busking is a great way to put yourself out and you will learn faster on the streets! Good luck to all aspiring musicians:)

[@Llynks]

agree!!

[@r.towers4374]

I've played in bands since the 90's. Now I'm playing acoustic rock, soft rock, international, and of course...jazz. Playing with my best friend; I'm on acoustic guitar and he on bass and sax. You really know ur stuff and I have great admiration for you. Therefore, here is my question and ur opinion is going to matter. What's ur thought in having to play with a music stand in front of me? I put like 30 songs in a gig, but I have about 400 in my library. Stand or no stand? Complete memory?

[@frankchircop5766]

Go for it, you Rock!!

[@Llynks]

thanks!

[@rtqj7109RT]

I have a question! Should you play songs that are popular in venues when the audience is not vibing with you? Or should you just play the songs you want to play?

[@Llynks]

It is so so so hard to try to control the audience if they aren't vibing. If they aren't interested anyways I would just play what you want to play! Haha.

[@rtqj7109RT]

@@Llynks ok thank you.

[@earllsimmins9373]

Mix it up even established artists sometimes find it hard to introduce new material. People have a tendency to like the familiar.

[@joshwalshthe1]

Thank you actually was a helpful video 😊

[@Llynks]

glad it was helpful!

[@guestentertainer]

Amazing info!

[@Llynks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lancewrightmalcolm5014]

I'm just now coming across this video, thanks so for the info., but I noticed in your newer videos you don't talk about this as much anymore. If you don't mind me asking, what caused the shift? Did you change your view on playing out places? Would you still recommend an independent to play out at restaurant, breweries, etc? Is it still a good source of income?

[@Llynks]

i def still recommend it if it's your style/ something your into yes!! I have just been so busy releasing stuff and am trying to focus on more fully produced shows at the moment that I'll be doing later this year. But I def think it's a good stream of income.

[@lancewrightmalcolm5014]

Thank you so much, your videos are so inspiring!!

[@indeehood7882]

How about night clubs? Is it easy getting a gig there and an audience?

[@patinalux4994]

Thanks for the video! I have some more questions :-) Can you recommend exactly what kind of live gear you use? :-) And also...if you don't have a video playing live, well that's hard to provide if you never did^^ So would you recommend just to film a live session at home then? Also how do you practice? Do you film yourself and then watch it to see if you are happy with your performance? :-) How did you overcome the fear of playing the first time in front of other people?...

[@Llynks]

it depends! for now I'm just playing acoustic versions of my songs with piano and vocals so I need my keyboard, mic, and amp. it would be different if i was doing an electronic set though haha. Yes, just film a live session at home! i practice for as long as i need to to feel more than prepared for the show. Yea I film myself and watch it to make sure I like it! Just know that it is only your first time and that it will get better through more experience!!!

[@illusoryphoenix5178]

Kind of a dumb question, but how do you make/send a video of you playing live if you've never played live before? Is filming yourself in your garage acceptable? Or is it better to start at a friend's party and have that be recorded?

[@Llynks]

film yourself wherever!! a garage is absolutely fine! anythign that just shows what you can do off!

[@kennethstonemusic]

How do you get the right email addresses of the club venues😊

[@nataliaaahhhh]

Thank you for the helpful video :) what gear do you need?

[@aaronbazil]

I'm usually an electronic music producer (edm house stuff), but I'm also a singer so I should probably start shooting some covers first then prep them for live. I wonder if I can just sing karaoke style, just bring the instrumental and let my vocal effect machine be my main vocal 🤔

[@Llynks]

ya u could def do that!

[@ItsQueViolette]

What would you use to sing live with your instrumental? Like what type of machine & mic?

[@aaronbazil]

@thequeviolette just get one of those Karaoke machines that you could get from Walmart or Target. They come with a mic, speaker, and some basic vocal effects that sound great! Don't need to overcomplicate stuff when you start. The more advanced you get, you'll know what you need to get at that point.

[@ItsQueViolette]

@@aaronbazil okay thanks! Hypothetically, how does the instrumental play from the karaoke machine then? I thought that would only cast the vocals

[@childofgodbro]

i love this !

[@solotravis9427]

you should make sure your hype songs are on your playlist like doesn't matter anyway upbeat is the way to go

[@Llynks]

trueeee

[@willferguson2935]

BRILLIANT

[@Llynks]

thank you!

[@leapthenest]

Old video but still great tips

[@Llynks]

Glad you think so!

[@vancave6453]

Love the content! Got my sub

[@Llynks]

thank you!!

[@GregoryBoyce-w3i]

Are you do it yourself because I think that’s the best way I know that her singer songwriter lady and she says a heckuva time with the road manager

[@omegajackson]

Do you have the email template for download?

[@BDKabrini]

Looking back... Wow! Covid Lockdown was insane!! You look anxious here. Im sure TODAY youre more mellow etc... This excellent content. I plan to go back to GIGGIN soon. I needed to see and hear this... thanks

[@HeathenwoodOfficial]

About the tip jar. I earned twice my day job's wage playing infront of a Walgreens in my boring suburb. And I was playing Heavy Metal, a very unlikeable genre XD

[@Llynks]

nice!!!

[@Pianoismylife189]

❤

[@Gaba.Groove]

🔥🔥🔥

[@HeathenwoodOfficial]

You look good with Glasses 😊

[@Llynks]

thanks!

[@jonbermanmusic]

Shrewsbury is a money crowd… but not middle of nowhere…

[@Llynks]

hm true

[@jMerkyJJ]

I've played one show with one person there...so not epic.

[@Llynks]

it happens hahaha

[@devin11750]

Waaay cute

[@AlbertoGomez-oi5ou]

i'm mexican and I always play in mexican and south american restaurants in all new york and new jersey area lol, so I need the opposite, to build a fan base on the internet lol ... good luck :v

[@rosatorres2214]

Mexican here. What genre do you play?

[@AlbertoGomez-oi5ou]

@@rosatorres2214 I play bolero from Los Panchos and criollo waltz wich is the same like boleros but more for people from south america, from singers like Julio Jaramillo

[@rosatorres2214]

@@AlbertoGomez-oi5ou thats nice!! I like boleros, I didn't know that people actually liked them here which is great. Thank you for replying!

[@the_E4_Mafia]

What musical artist has friends? I mean real friends? Not many

[@Llynks]

lol

[@JohnnyAllan-vj7sj]

Unless you're looking to make a few bucks, you don't have to book shows anymore to get recognized. That's what the Internet is for. Look at your view count... have you ever played for 21,000 people? I doubt it

[@meteor1237]

Wish these folks making these YT videos got to the point; without 10 minutes for explanation. Just give the information you advertised.

[@philmartin7474]

Wait,... did you say $700.00 in Tips?? For a 90 minute gig? Wow, thats really insane, im embarrassed to say, im pretty happy if i make $50.00... once in the Hamptons i got a $100.00 bill.. The hardest part is getting the place to agree on the fee,, most musicians are working at almost half the amount i was getting back in the mid nineties, so bars and restaurant's are wanting to pay less than i made in 1995... O can’t do that, im not going to go backwards and this is a real problem with other musicians under cutting... As solo acoustic acts we should definitely not accept anything lower than $75.00 per 45 minute set, and now on 2023, the minimum should be $100.00 per set... Would like to hear what others are charging, Im going to start incorporating more originals, however i perform cover gigs under an alias name since i do not wish to be known as the local cover guy playing Jimmy Buffett songs, when my originals are nothing like the majority of songs in my cover sets,, I don't even want them to put my picture up in social media.😅