Question for DIY touring bands

[xxero182]

It is easier to book a tour as 1 band, or to book a tour with multiple bands?

[SamKS]

Usually promoters frown upon tours with multiple smaller local/regional bands in the package. It'll be harder to get guarantees, harder to get booked period, and just really won't benefit you that much at all.

There are some upsides I guess but it's not too beneficial to take another band or two around the same size as you on tour.

[7dollarsox.com]

it depends how many contacts each band has. if both bands have zero contacts, i would think it would be easier to hop on a show with just one band.

but it if you both have a lot of contacts id go with another band.

:)

[xxero182]

Thanks guys, that makes sense.

[remoteCONTROL]

booking 2 bands has always been easier for us. trying to hop on a show that's already booked in another state can be tough because those bands all have friends that want to play it. if you book two bands and a really good drawing local, the venue will most likely fill the 4th spot with whatever other local and call it good. we ask for $150 for two bands.

[crazytoledo]

If the second band has a bigger draw and could help you get on shows, then that could work out for you. But it'd be easier to just do it as one band in my opinion. Like said earlier, it's easier to jump on shows with one band. It seems nowadays, at least in the scene in this area, that most local shows have a lot of bands playing (5-7 or so) and most shows with touring bands throughout the area usually have a few locals added, even for shows with 4-5 touring bands. Hell, in Toledo you almost never see a show with 4-5 bands unless it's a pretty sizable tour, almost all shows have at least 6 bands with a few locals opening (unless there's just a headliner or a headliner/main support and then there are more locals. like prada headlined a show with 5 locals and attack attack played a show with i am abomination and 5 locals).

[ZachTBP]

yeah, what you want to do is tour with at least one other band that has equal/ greater or right around as much of a draw as you do, and then look into the local scene for each date you have, and then find bands there that have good draw for the local area and see if they want to do a show. basically what everyone else has said, but yeah, something like that :)

[miketrondson]

I had success with both scenarios. Just make sure you tour with a band that has actually toured. My old band toured with a band who was on their first tour and they were like a shit sandwich.

Best of luck!

[JoeJealousy]

both can work fine if you have the contacts and determination to fill the dates. my only advise is watch what you ask for as a guarantee and keep it modest. nothing irritates a promoter more than a band that will not draw anyone asking for a bunch of money...let alone 2 bands.

[PawelPotapowicz]

It all depends on the circumstances. If you're touring with a band that's fairly well known, then yes, if not, no haha

[Lifesnatcher]

Usually promoters frown upon tours with multiple smaller local/regional bands in the package. It'll be harder to get guarantees, harder to get booked period, and just really won't benefit you that much at all.

There are some upsides I guess but it's not too beneficial to take another band or two around the same size as you on tour.

very true and helpful to MY band too.
(: