My interest in live music began on Lansdowne Street in Boston. The first show I can remember going to on my own was a Battle of the Bands for a local radio station. Some older kids from my town were playing. The show was all-ages, and best of all, it was at a…bar. That was a forbidden zone for someone in middle school. Once I stepped into Bill’s Bar for that Battle of the Bands, a door opened for me.
Liner Notes and the Primitive Internet
I started to discover music on my own. That meant looking at liner notes of records and noting the patches on the older punks’ jackets. I started asking around to find out about other shows. Soon, I was collecting every flyer handed to me. You could find me scouring the primitive internet to find all-ages shows happening in my area.
To the Burbs and Back
The result was countless rides in the family Volvo. I traveled to the suburbs—40 minutes each way—to catch a local ska act at a VFW hall or a Blink 182 cover band at the Knights of Columbus. It was on one of those humiliating rides I decided we needed shows closer to home. Someone needed to make it happen. It was this realization that kickstarted my 20+ year journey of booking shows. These shows eventually became concerts and finally multi-day festivals.
"I decided we needed shows closer to home. It was this realization that kickstarted
my 20+ year journey."
What’s a Guarantee?
This journey has had its trials. One time I didn’t realize we needed a PA to make music happen. On another occasion, I didn’t know what a “guarantee” was and ended up paying a band out of my pocket. The reason was not enough of my friends showed up to our local church for the show. (Sidenote: The money came from my job at a local smoothie shop called Juicy Lucy.)
Punk House Lessons
In college, while living at a punk house, we held shows in the basement. Sometimes I had to break up fights; others, I had to kick out bands for trying to light our house on fire. On the worst nights, it was up to me to figure out who sawed off our toilet seats or sweet-talk cops so they wouldn’t shut down the music.
The world of booking shows changed for me when I started doing it professionally. Now, I look back on the days of booking DIY basement shows fondly, despite the many challenges.
"You must be well-organized, strategic, and willing to put up with some chaos."
Tougher than it Seems in Zines
Booking your own show isn’t as easy as some zines want you to believe. There are no Field Of Dreams-type rules to guide you. You must be well-organized, strategic, and willing to put up with some chaos. However, it’s usually worth it. While I could go on for days with tips on how to start, I’ve included some basics tips to get you started.
Tip #1: Find a Legitimate Space
The last thing you want is neighbors complaining or the police showing up. I booked my first show at a Unitarian Church with the stipulation that we had an adult chaperone. Luckily, my Biology teacher was 23 and liked punk music. Speak with local gallery spaces and coffee shops or find a basement. You might even discover DIY spaces that are already ready for shows. Junior High in Los Angeles is a perfect example.
Tip #2: Safety is Key
Concern for everyone’s safety isn’t uncool. What’s uncool is a space that is physically or emotionally dangerous for audiences. Make sure you’re ready for emergencies that might arise. Plan how to eject toxic people from the space. No one should feel unsafe at a DIY show.
Tip #3: Book Acts You Love
What’s the point if you’re not doing this to showcase sounds you’re passionate about?
Tip #4: Know Your Gear
Have a basic knowledge of equipment needed to put on a decent show. (Don’t make the same PA mistake that I did.)
Tip #5: Embrace the Moment
In this pandemic-era, use platforms like Twitch and Zoom to stream shows. You can pre-record bands or solo artists and put them up on different platforms. This can create a unique lineup or a festival experience. For the time being, putting on shows has changed. Still, it’s not impossible.
"If you can't find a scene in your town,
create one yourself."
Build Your Own Scene
All in all, it comes down to passion. Maybe you don’t see shows out there that look like the ones you want to go to. If you can’t find a scene in your town, create one yourself. Your friends and fellow outcasts will thank you.
