20 Ways To Get Gigs I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Want to go pro, but don't have the skills to get there? Apply to the Rockstar Drummer Mentorship 👉bit.ly/bestandworstways

[@BataraKado]

dude i was thinking an hour ago whats the best way to get more gigs then your video appears... thanks dude!!! \M/

[@LivingWater-bs1hh]

this is all a waste of time because no one pays you for your songs, that's why you make youtube content instead

[@LivingWater-bs1hh]

almost everyone is stealing music so this is all a waste of time

[@havespacesuitwilltravel9607]

My band wasn't booking any shows. So we rented a warehouse in the hood, invited all of our favorite punk bands in LA, set up an illegal bar and paid all the bands off the bar tab. We hit gold. The location was intriguing enough and we worked with a promoter. It felt like a real fucking cool underground show...because it was. After that we were playing 5 gigs a week for years. We had to turn down gigs. That was S+ tier in my opinion.

[@johnoliveira5575]

What was your band?

[@FallingAliceMusic]

According to the asshole who made the video underground and local shows are F tier 🤣

[@donjuanmckenzie4897]

Thats an actual good idea

[@hanifzahirul]

Not gonna lie, the video reel strategy really worked out for me. I regulary post my drum cam and cover videos here on my channel, and now here I am. From playing only for one cover band to playing for 3 bands and got real gigs and even wider audience. In digital era, this strategy is one of the most reliable ways to get yourself a gig

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

Great work my friend 🤘

[@akaFazio]

been trying this myself and am seeing some growth as well on my channel, just trying to keep growing atm @hanifzahirul gonna sub rn🤞🏼

[@creepymcpeepers]

I have a band that's a metal band... but sometimes I do wana play covers but the cover bands don't reach out to me that much

[@santosmadrigal3702]

When concert tickets were outrageously overpriced , I went to local shows ( Detroit) and I was entertained . I believe local bands are true Americans .

[@JonnyBGoode64]

The band I’m in turned a create your own gig from a B tier to an A tier because we rented out the venue so a film crew could use it and feature us as part of their indie film. I think that’s a good example of making it work for you. I found the video helpful thank you!

[@itookallthenames]

Promoters absolutely true. I remember having 12 at own show, and then 80 at promoted show and it’s not like we improved that much in a few weeks.

[@bnhdeluxe]

how did you go about reaching out to a promoter? how did you find them?

[@alfredosupersauce8088]

I’m gonna be drumming for my school rock band this year I’m so worried but so excited!

[@ladylog5470]

Don’t be worried bro just have fun

[@alfredosupersauce8088]

@@ladylog5470 I’ll try 🥲

[@Slipperyslope92]

Posting flyers literally works lmao. My band has never played for less than 150 at a local show. And we aren’t good at posting on social media haha. And it’s not expensive. It’s like less than 20 dollars to get 15 11x17 posters from UPS

[@cartoonkid98]

Yeah! I check out every band from flyers and with a locale of interest in their bios. Bonus if your flyer is in a cool business or at a busy intersection

[@Slipperyslope92]

@ yeah I just hit up all of the music stores, record shops, bars downtown, gas station bulletin boards, and staple/tape them to light posts

[@capnjames]

This video’s got some gems, but surprisingly the show I’ve played with the highest turn out was a diy houseshow some buddies and I organized with flyers 😭 it was only like 2 years ago and it was in a city with a music scene so people did actually show up then other randoms started showing up from like a pizza joint across the street cause it seemed like a legit show . Don’t rule out organizing your own shows you just need to know your audience and have the right location for real

[@tnatstrat7495]

Dude chatgpt does not know whats going on in my local area. It makes up over half of the results.

[@joshbowling3736]

Now this is some good information! Gabe, you are a saint for giving this out for free

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

You know I've gotchu 👊🏽

[@slowandsafegaming4126]

I love the amount of thought Gabe has put into this. Adding the three criteria to gauge the method's effectiveness is the right way to go. Allow me to share the thought process for finding gigs in my last band: "What's the plan for moving forward?" "Get gigs." "How are we going to achieve this?" "Get gigs."

[@peteredwards2318]

My buddies band recently played the UKs best independent metal festival, and although they played HEAPS of local gigs first, they also played anywhere they could make a connection, out of town, out of county, north, south, east and west, took every radio interview they could get, and put themselves out there on the road to the battle of the bands style competition that got them the spot at the festival. They made fans of a lot of people at the festival, and made connections with the people behind the scenes there, from other bands, to guitar techs and sound guys, stage managers and organisers. Local is a great place to start something, but it's only the beginning.

[@SamFromTheWorryPeople]

What's the band name mate? I'll check them out! :)

[@mickmadmouth]

Very true, bro.. I used to be in your old shoes, being the so called manager of my band & getting us gigs etc. So when the biggest bands in town who we shared a band room/building with had a break for any reason, we would chill & practice with them to cover one of their songs. We also called them "brother bands" & we would tour the country together with shared travel/living options & arrangements with shared gigs. That instantly put my small band of 1yr stage performance in the same light as them with 6yrs ahead of us. But yeah, it's hard to keep it going

[@HairJordan]

it's really refreshing to see a successful drummer talk about this stuff realistically in 2024, well done

[@slobberkissintl3548]

Making flyers isn't effective but it's really fun and you should do it anyway (if you like having fun)

[@becominghuman3561]

Calling venues directly doesn’t work in the city I live in unfortunately because there’s just so many musicians here. It did work in the city I am originally from, though. If you live in LA, Nashville, Austin, NYC, or any big music metro, calling a venue directly is more difficult. Other than that everything you mentioned was on point.

[@MjNortham]

Removing feet from all my musician pics now! Thanks, bro!

[@Drums4Life32]

Gabe, this is the best video you put out so far. My goal in life is to tour the world. This video is helping me grow one step closer. thank you!

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

It’s truly my pleasure. Keep pushing 👊🏽

[@snarecat3441]

Be the best band around.. really. When you get it super tight and play stuff people love to hear, the best gigs find YOU . This has always worked . You can’t keep great hidden from people..

[@jongallardo8006]

Awesome info. It’s never been more difficult to start a band than 2024 imho. Wayyy too much competition in an oversaturated market

[@SuperQdaddy]

Good info..having a pro video of yourself or band is necessary...ive noticed most local cover bands are on rotation..its the same half dozen bands that claim the gigs because they have following...its tough to break in the scene

[@bloodmaledict]

Ive just started posting videos, aiming to go pro as a guitarist one day. Gabe you are an absolutely huge inspiration!

[@mrkida2458]

I don't wanna sound weird with this but I've been drumming for 10 years in many local bands from my country from indie to hardcore and my name is Gabriel as well. Whenever I watch your videos I feel like I'm watching a parallel reality where I was born in a 1st world country

[@Jasmine_Sutcliffe]

Luv it gabe it’s nice to take a break from these POV’s even though their fire! And i’m a drummer myself and been playing for 2 years now and I’m 11 your not on your own I know what it’s like

[@martonveressdrums]

Thank you for what you are doing not just for the drumming community! These latest videos worth gold

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

So glad you like them!

[@kyledouglasveazey]

Normally I'd agree that posting flyers is bad, but the way I do it works well for me. I make them creative on Canva, and then put them on people's windshields in places like strip malls, and colleges. It's not the flyer that gets them curious, but rather the tag line I use. But just a this is our band flyer will just get thrown away.

[@darkskinwhite]

i swear every video about growing as a musician ends with "post videos online" no matter the topic.

[@matthewsilva8617]

Wish I saw this in 2008 lol I didn’t use social media or KZbin at all..got burned out real quick lumping all the gear..crowds weren’t too bad, it was a beach town..but when asked “where can I get your music?” I would be empty handed and just tell them the next gig. Exhausted, I’m now a sewer worker with a music degree who jams with his loop station once a week lol Work smarter, not harder kids. If you have a good song, it will shine. Just gotta get it out there.

[@SecretSocietyofGoths]

this is awful advice bro this is why there arent local scenes anymore. going to local shows and meeting bookers and bands is the best thing you can do when youre at that level. then you make friends in the community. once you have a set together start asking the friends youve made about hopping on shows. if that doesnt work, book your own. if you want any kind of longevity you need roots. theres a difference between "blowing up" and "having a career"

[@austinadrian8701]

💯

[@lihclore]

local scenes will save your band someday

[@dilloncarver450]

I could not agree more...this dude hasn’t done shit besides get lucky af...

[@jcreature11]

Wrong, this comment is bad advice and outdated, this only works when u are in a specific area where the scene is good. Local scene in my area is full of alcoholic death metal bands that sounds like Trach cans banging together with children screaming. So no your advice doesn’t work.

[@BLACKF1R3OFFICIAL]

I'm a professional stagehand, and an experienced hard rock and metal lead and rhythm guitarist. I agree with this! 🎉😊

[@MrRezRising]

It takes a LOT of work to get lucky. When he was a teenager learning how to code, Bill Gates had a philosophy: You only go to sleep after your head hits the keyboard for the third time. He also attributed a lot of his sucess to getting 'lucky' over and over. Workworkwork, and you'll get lucky. Play _Overwatch_ all day...not so much. ❤🥁🤘

[@defaultdan7923]

good sentiment, don’t know if i’d trust it coming from bill gates tho lol

[@MrRezRising]

@@defaultdan7923 Quite a success story tho, and not a bad rule to instill. 🙂🤘

[@mirkomarkovic3438]

I'm sure he didn't make that up

[@joeyritter]

Awesome analysis. Don't sleep on Open Mic nights though. You didn't mention they're a great opportunity to film content at venues where it looks like it's an actual show. The people watching don't know it's open mic... thus tricking them into CREDIBILITY.

[@rene1OOO3]

That’s corny. Don’t do that. You’ll get laughed at and you won’t get taken seriously.

[@joeyritter]

@@rene1OOO3 please explain why. It's a video of you performing on a stage of a legit venue. The cameras don't need to be on the crowd. I'm not sure you're picturing what I'm talking about.

[@rene1OOO3]

First of all if you’re tricking people into credibility you’ve got bigger issues.. That aside. Having ran open mics and jams for years, the one clown that goes up and sets up 3 go pros, checking angles, and eating up everyone else’s time that’s there to just play music will inevitably be the butt of the joke. That’s not the time or place. The drummer who did this did use that footage to post on a Facebook page to promote himself to get more work and… I’m pretty sure that guy moved out of the city. 😂 zero work

[@joeyritter]

@rene1OOO3 If you're an artist just starting out with no shows, no contacts and no videos... there is no shame. You turn on your phone and hit record. What are you talking about with 3 Go Pros? I host open mics too. People post their footage. There's nothing else to it.

[@rene1OOO3]

we’re on a drum channel and as a drummer who has ran jams and seen drummers do this I’m talking about drummers. I didn’t pull this story out of my ass. I’ve seen it happen and that’s not the only story I have of drummers not having any tact at jams. That being said I don’t care if you’re an artist or a drummer if you’re fooling people into credibility.. think again. You aren’t fooling musicians who you’re inevitably going to work with.

[@tomfinn8076]

I met my current band on Craigslist. We get along great and have had a lot of fun. We all have jobs/families, so we didn't have aspirations to play a show more than once a month, but we are recording our first album, and have played for some pretty decent crowds.

[@TristonPell]

bro if your coming to Australia soon l need to see you

[@ultraniumgaming]

He is

[@percival5697]

They're playing with Parkway soon. Look it up

[@DrumBeatsOnline]

See you in September

[@scvscades]

Regardless of becoming a professional musician, these are still great strategies to other careers as well! Good stuff Gabe!

[@sammypcontent]

A lot of really good takes in this video. I'm definitely going to present this to my guys, great video!

[@NonnyStrikes]

People take it all lightly. That's the main issue. They can't seperate their opinion from public opinion. AKA: High quality video/audio engineering vs poor or lackluster. Research is out there everywhere and at our fingertips. Your video proves my point. Great stuff man. Always had a keen interest in you guys simply because of your approach and tactics. When the T-swift cover came out, I knew you guys were gonna pop off.

[@weltenschmerz]

Music is a hard business

[@muterocketmedia4641]

I know that the busking strategy works. In the later days of a band called Abandon All Ships, they found a fill in drummer because he was playing either in a public square amongst some shops/restaurants or outside a venue that the band had played.

[@glenn432hz]

This video is S tier

[@jonhattanrai]

you gave me the idea of opening Tinder only to promote my band hehe

[@RealHomeRecording]

😂

[@yourguitarist]

I'm not a drummer but I found this video VERY HELPFUL. Thank you!!!

[@JamieWittGuitar]

Surely the Outbound System directly conflicts with what you were saying only two points earlier, that reaching out to local venues doesn't get you good gigs. If you use ChatGPT to find local venues and reach out to 'all of them' then that will create the scenario you slated earlier in the video, with 8 people in the audience who are playing the same show too. And actually worse, because it's less precisely targeting. Seems like very conflicting advice.

[@javelin3105]

This content is amazing bro! Thanks 💙

[@austing.8870]

This is sales in a nutshell. And it absolutely works.

[@mikehartdrums]

100% making videos changed my life . I went from playing in local groups to none at all (gigs dried up) , then once I started making online content I got picked up by a bigger band and have been touring the country playing drums professionally for the past year and a half. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for posting things like this Gabe. Your transparency and genuine approach to mentoring and education is such a special thing to have in this industry. Big respect 🫡

[@sergiocolmenares9482]

This is by far the best video for bands

[@YeppJesus2024]

Thank you so much!!! I'm coordinating a town worship night next summer, so I'm trying to figure out different ways to promote it!

[@efesimsek550]

But we live in Turkey and are a Heavy/Groove Metal Band...

[@sharchik916]

Having a decent looking website to sell merchandise is still really important. Maybe F tier for "getting gigs" but yeah still important...

[@leomartindrums]

The cover photo says "Local Shows Are Useless," but the video is mostly telling you how to book local shows. I'm confused?

[@sauchmz]

Clickbait thumbnail unfortunately

[@Joe-gl8sr]

Excellent video w great info!! Can apply that outbound strategy in other ways

[@PatrickMacCready]

You may not find direct success in posting flyers but if you're dedicated to making a striking and stylish hand flyer it's better to remind people of your show than a Facebook event link FOR SURE. There is a strand of folks who will always prefer that tangible stuff, but other musicians may look at it and see nothing but Matrix code, so I understand why some may think it's a waste of time. As long as you enjoy doing it and have the creativity to spare, it's well worth it long term.

[@MarkGarnerDrums]

Gabe, amazing video! My band’s currently watching it, so hopefully we can put a lot of these strategies into action. Btw, your camera quality is incredible. What camera do you use to record? Thanks!

[@James_The_Troll91]

But we are a black metal band...

[@JerseyMiller]

Channeling the dark lord is an often overlooked strategy. A tier.

[@ryanshinermusic]

…Reaching out to venues and networking at shows is a much better strategy than dealing with local promoters. Most “promoters” that are local are almost always scams. For rock, the one large venue near me goes through a local promoter, but that promoter requires you to pay them a retainer to work with them, they take a cut of your pay and you at most will take home $20. It’s like that in way more markets than you realize.

[@kevinmurphy-oz2bn]

Brilliant video, man. A lot of food for thought for would-be gigging musicians.

[@mishabeast]

Thank you! Watched it enough times, wrote all of your ideas down to the paper.

[@Ted_James]

Creating and posting flyers is great to extent. It's always good to post them at the venue where you're playing to show the owner that you're promoting. They're also great for online promotion. However, unless you're really well known in your area, it's pointless to post them all over town, especially when you live in an area like Austin with literally hundreds of local bands (and more regionally and touring) all competing for attention. Almost nobody will go see a band they aren't already familiar with just because they saw a poster in a record store. However, if you're promoting a multi-band showcase with similar bands (e.g., punk rock or rockabilly showcase), posting around town may just help to get a lot of like-minded music fans to the show.

[@MckoyDrumming]

Gabe, this is amazing. I still lack the most important part which is pro level skills, however I have a question, do you have a strategy guide for when you live in a country where the music industry pretty much focus on one genre and is mostly singer driven solo artists?

[@mickeyalbi]

13:08 Playing at an open mic (hosted by a local band) with good musicians + attending the upcoming shows for the band that hosted said open mic + being a good player + good networking = Just landed myself a gig this month! I got my first gig from just being a good drummer at an open mic. (I hadn't really performed at an open mic before) But I had been practicing at home to tracks for months beforehand to be as good as I was at that open mic. Everything in life is multifaceted. Open mic works if you know what you're doing, and you're a good player. Keep it up everyone!

[@tomblankinship4750]

I saw “Look Out Gabe” at what is now called the Fillmore in Detroit. I think it was the competition that you referred to.

[@fearghal10]

There are a few variables and exceptions, like while in most cases flyers are a waste of time, I've lived in a few cities where people still genuinely pay attention and just read the walls to find out what to do that night, and even in places where no one reads them, if you show up in a bar or coffee shop where lots of your target audience goes and talk to the staff a bunch when asking to put it up, you're basically using the flyer as an alibi to build some word of mouth awareness with the right people that can pay off in various ways. Likewise, there are a precious few venues that are also good at promotion themselves and/or have a dedicated audience that trusts whatever they're putting on will be worth seeing, but they're few and far between.

[@boristubeti6776]

What is you’re not yet at the level of bringing big crowds to the venues? What the email should say in that case? Thanks

[@c-flat]

Open mic's are underrated, the real benifit isnt actually the open mic but rather the footage you should film and post it in segmetns on social media.

[@th3gr81]

Josh Peck! You’re the best.

[@jongallardo8006]

😂

[@XenoFluxRecording]

Very helpful i believe we opend for I Prevail years back in Colorado springs 😀

[@ShiprockedDave]

Nice shout out to Connor, Gabe. He killed it on Shiprocked. So did John Fred Young.

[@g0stkid8_3]

Thanks for the solid information like always. I don’t know how long ago you made this or if you saw my community post asking one of these questions. Cause some of my covers got me noticed and they also posted it to the instrumental version of song on their official IG. I dunno what’s happening but pray for me Gabe… I’m starting to feel sick again lol. I never expected these guys to see my covers 😳😅🤪

[@NoGraphicsGaming]

Bandmix is how I met my guitarist. I was the only founding member left out of 3 and since him it’s been a new leaf.

[@ilikepotato977]

Thank you for the tips, I’m gonna go start my own band now

[@DylanTheCDAndVinylCollector]

Hey Gabe! 🤘🏻

[@darksoulsj-him4407]

Hello Gabe, I've dmed you about it before but seems like you haven't yet to answer it but yet still what's the best advice for a student drummer who tryna go pro in drumming in the future? thanks :) edit: i've been getting a sufficient number of gigs in my school and im currently looking to take it to the next level

[@callsignj0ker555]

Ik I am mot the person you asked, but I'd suggest you build some good quality videos of popular songs and upload it to yt instagram tiktok, use the hashtags and maybe mention the band you cover. Always upload yourself, dont try to programm drums over the video if you cant play a song really good and keep working mate! Good luck out there!

[@jacobibanez8919]

Hey Gabe. Do you have any other tips for getting more gigs for people outside the US? Specifically Europe

[@natrixxvision6997]

Posting a video of an interesting cover song is easier than ever before. Directing traffic to it is another story. Making sure your other songs are on point is yet another story. Making a spread sheet of gig opportunities is one thing. Even without AI, it can be done. But booking gigs is about people. For me, that’s another story. And I know plenty of other musicians like that too.

[@ArtVallejo]

So with #18 and covering the T Swift song, were there any copyright issues @drumbeatsonline ?

[@Matthew-Drums]

This is the first time I can’t keep up with gabe

[@brodygarber6984]

Can I get a bit depth to the promoters strategy? How do I know they’re a promoter? Where can I find them? Etc…

[@MS-gj7ni]

Local shows are not useless what you on about dude

[@darkskinwhite]

it got you to click, that's all

[@JamesDCornette]

He just wants to be Taylor Swift

[@gamerh7218]

Thx for this video, joining literally today or tmr

[@escherpainting8622]

Posting flyers to GET gigs is F. Posting flyers when you've got gigs is S+. Do the work.

[@guitarsplusct]

Great video, lots of interesting ideas but one thing that always confused me is this. Are there laws regulating the use of cover tunes? Maybe there aren’t, maybe they’re not enforced. What’s up with that?

[@Metalfan0957]

Another banger by Gabe!!!

[@longsnapper5381]

Don't forget playing at charity events. Sometimes these events will close down a Main Street and put up a stage. Generally well attended and give a good op for video production. We are a band of 65+ year old rockers and we take our "We play private parties" sign to all events. On breaks, go out into the crowd and schmooze. Hand out business cards. Certainly, we are small potatoes but we get paid or we don't play. Could be worse.

[@dillrobert]

Flyers are an art form that if done right, will make a difference. If you make a unique and eye-catching flyer will bring people to you or your band. Now, if you are in a big town or city then, yes, flyers are kind of useless as they get lost among the throng of other flyers. But not everyone lives in a big city. If you're in a small city/town flyers make a difference. And put some effort into it. If done right, people will want that flyer to hang in their room/house/etc.

[@Justdrumsandstuff]

Videos worked really well for me. Anybody else in the San Antonio area?? Let’s throw a show

[@MarioCalzadaMusic]

Yeah, you are good, that chat GPT thing is insane

[@creepymcpeepers]

I posted my post you told us to post lol but I had to erase drummer and replace with bass but I can also play guitar I could easily be a rhythm guitarist I just don't do a lot of solos I have done a few solos on my channel ...

[@ChindoBindo]

I genuinely have no hope for drumming tbh (I haven't watched the video yet)

[@oreothebest]

Why?

[@PyroDoesYT]

r/woooosh

[@miguel213]

Don't sink the boat that you've built

[@maddzyreviews6612]

Let’s get a tour vlog on the parkway drive tour here in Sydney🤘🏻 or just any Australian show of the tour

[@Marly-w5f]

I autistic and when I’m at home alone, sometimes i scream and… I don’t know if it sounds good or not, but I practice sometimes and I practice to band’s screamer but i have social anxiety

[@g0stkid8_3]

As someone who has horrible social anxiety and had performed in front of people before I say go for it. When you’re on stage with your band it doesn’t feel so weird. You can do this! Andy Cizek has amazing scream tutorials on YT and just started a course with Chris Lippe who is an amazing vocal coach. Chase your dreams, you never know what will happen!

[@strigers8007]

HEYYY I'm also autistic and socially anxious, I started singing and screaming at 13 years old not really knowing what I was doing but after a few years of practice after practice I've reached a very solid and healthy sound now that I'm 19. I remember when I first heard Linkin Park and Slipknot in 7th grade and a friend of mine taught me how to scream like them, so I just started trying since i always had a thing for singing and music in general. The key is being constant in your practice. A solid warmup prior to practicing and a diet to strengthen your throat can do wonders too. As long as you keep practicing trying to find a sound you can be confortable and proud of you'll be ok, and the confidence will come on it's own once you do that! I did 2 singing competitions and I crushed it at both. If i was able to do it you can do it as well! I believe in you dude :D keep pushing

[@Marly-w5f]

@@strigers8007 thanks I’m going to practice being a screamer!

[@Marly-w5f]

Thanks both of you and i will practice my Screaming

[@strigers8007]

​@@Marly-w5fDon't mention it bro! Take care of yourself and your voice, know when to take a break and follow your dreams!

[@primosprey]

I can tell someone watches Jeff Nippard... No disrespect though the format works, thanks for all the great tips!

[@matiasp.r.9217]

Chat GPt can actually provide personal information? I didn't know that

[@ItsWesSmithYo]

CRM FTW 😂🖤

[@mendozosa]

This content is just S+ tier content 🔥🔥

[@markhilltaco4079]

Next video: how to get people to show up please

[@corybarnes2341]

I miss the days of flyers. I have a lot of trouble finding out who is playing in Toronto these days. By luck I found out the Jayhawks were coming because poor Mathew Sweet had a stroke and had to cancel opening for them. I'm in Toronto all of the time but I wouldn't have had any clue they were playing otherwise. There used to be really good promotion out there. The internet really hasn't pulled up the slack IMO. The death of local scene papers is really sad too. Now Magazine used to have really good club listings but they don't anymore.

[@jobiazgarza9571]

I must be missing something. Reaching out to a venue and playing a gig is S tier if done en masse but not as good if done as a singular action? Good content btw, appreciate the info provided here.

[@TTarragon]

I also didn't get that. Any classification?

[@highrollerdiscs805]

Hot Rod is def S+ Tier

[@trulysatanicspeedmetalothe5885]

I missed building a scene. But maybe it's not a strategy in the way like, look at me... Building a scene means look at us.

[@miguel213]

Once again, SEO wins the game.