How to Book Gigs for a Christian Band

Book Your Next Gig

When you're just starting in the Christian music market it can be a little overwhelming trying to book your first gigs. There are plenty of options out there but sometimes it can still be a difficult process. However, with a little bit of direction, you could be playing plenty of gigs in no time.

Instructions

1. Develop your talent. Any band that has at least a decent amount of live talent can get a gig. With today's recording technology, you could be the worst band in the world and a recording studio could make you sound great. However, if you want to play live shows, even in the Christian market, you need to develop your live talent to a quality level that people will be willing to pay to see you.

2. Start with contacting churches. No one plays arena shows right off the bat. This could be playing worship for a Sunday service, being a guest band for youth group, or spending the week at a Christian camp. All of these opportunities involve gaining a fan base. It also allows you to sell merchandise so that your band can continue to grow. Most churches will also take a love offering to help pay for expenses. To figure out who to contact directly you must first look at what style of music you play. From that you will be able to determine whether you need to contact the youth pastor (if you play more rock) or the worship pastor/senior pastor if you play more worship.

3. Network with other local Christian bands. If you can get together with two or three other local Christian bands not only will it split the cost to rent a venue and advertise, but it will also serve as a mutual exposure of a fan base. This is a great way to get the sound out about your band and gain a whole new group of fans. Attend a couple local concerts of bands you respect and approach them about doing a concert together in the future. Be sure to have an EP or sample CD available for them.

4. Try to get onto a label. There are a ton of indie labels available in the Christian market today. It used to be that you would have to get signed to a large label to get started. However, there are plenty of smaller labels that are now signing bands and helping them connect with larger bands. Put together a great EP and send it with all of your contact information to labels that look appealing to you. Most contact information as well as requirements of what to include within your EP can be located on the labels website. A link to a list of Christian label websites can be found in the additional resources section of this article.

5. Book a headliner. Once you have toured with enough well established bands and now have your own fan base it's time to think about a headliner tour. Find some good smaller bands to help give a start like you were given yours, hire a production crew and a tour manager and head out. This is where you will make most of your money and finally be living life as a Christian rock star.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. Even bands like Switchfoot started small in the Christian market and took nearly five years to really make it big. It's a long process. As long as you continue to build your talent and build your fan base, you will be headlining your own tours in no time.

Resources

• List of Christian Music Labels