View Full Version : hot topic in-store shows...
I'm currently in the process of planning a summer tour and have some dates that I was thinking about trying to fill with in-store performances at Hot Topic. Anywho, I was just wondering if anyone here has booked any instores before, and how you went about it.
Do they even book independently touring acts? I've seen a few shows at the local hot topic and while the bands were unknown to me, I'm pretty sure they all atleast had some sort of label backing them.
Anyone can play at any hot topic, last summer my band old bands first tour we had a couple in stores to fill gaps and when shows got canceled we were able to call hot topics that were close to us and schedule in stores very last minute.
ninthandash
03/19/10, 04:54 AM
It all depends. Hot Topic will definitely take you. There was a month last year in the summer that ALL hot topics were supposed to feature some kind of local band in their store.
Whether or not it'd be worth your time to book a show in a Hot Topic in a place where you have little to no draw... it depends. You'll still get a steady flow of people,and might get away with selling a shirt or two. We've always been received pretty well at my Hot Topic - but I'm not sure if that would vary from store to store and location to location. The workers are super nice and supportive. Others might not be.
TheZeroKid
03/19/10, 08:43 AM
I work at HT, so I'll give you the basics:
Call up a local Hot Topic and let them know that you wanna play an in-store gig (it's called "Local Static"). They'll give you a date or just take down your info and let you know later. The show's are absolutely free and are meant mainly for exposure. Their main motivation behind it is to bring people into the store on low-traffic days (weekdays pretty much. You'll be able to play a show on a Friday if you're really lucky, but they try to avoid that). They might also ask you to set up a Shockhound account for your band (some districts and stores are more lenient with that). It's free to set-up.
The time they give you is the time you PLAY, so show up an hour beforehand to start setting up your shit. Depending on the type of mall it's in, you'll either have to do an acoustic/stripped down set, or you'll be able to play with a full band. Profanity isn't allowed, so if you can mask it then great, otherwise, don't curse. After you set-up, you'll have an hour to play, sell w/e cds and merch you have, and then strike your set and leave. They'll let you use any extension chords they might have and a dolly to help load your equipment.
The bands have to be UNSIGNED. Occasionally, HT will have a signed band play an in-store gig as part of a special performance, usually doing some kind of company promotion, but the Local Static gigs are meant for local bands to bring in local fans and hopefully get those fans to spend money at the store. You also can't play covers. If you play a cover (like I've done a couple times), try to make it something obscure. I've been able to play Neutral Mlik Hotel and The Mountain Goats when I've run out of material because, let's face it, the average person hasn't heard of either.
That should be it. If there's any questions, let me know, in case I forgot something.
Thanks for the info guys, much appreciated.
UnderMyDreams
03/19/10, 09:27 AM
I work at HT, so I'll give you the basics:
Call up a local Hot Topic and let them know that you wanna play an in-store gig (it's called "Local Static"). They'll give you a date or just take down your info and let you know later. The show's are absolutely free and are meant mainly for exposure. Their main motivation behind it is to bring people into the store on low-traffic days (weekdays pretty much. You'll be able to play a show on a Friday if you're really lucky, but they try to avoid that). They might also ask you to set up a Shockhound account for your band (some districts and stores are more lenient with that). It's free to set-up.
The time they give you is the time you PLAY, so show up an hour beforehand to start setting up your shit. Depending on the type of mall it's in, you'll either have to do an acoustic/stripped down set, or you'll be able to play with a full band. Profanity isn't allowed, so if you can mask it then great, otherwise, don't curse. After you set-up, you'll have an hour to play, sell w/e cds and merch you have, and then strike your set and leave. They'll let you use any extension chords they might have and a dolly to help load your equipment.
The bands have to be UNSIGNED. Occasionally, HT will have a signed band play an in-store gig as part of a special performance, usually doing some kind of company promotion, but the Local Static gigs are meant for local bands to bring in local fans and hopefully get those fans to spend money at the store. You also can't play covers. If you play a cover (like I've done a couple times), try to make it something obscure. I've been able to play Neutral Mlik Hotel and The Mountain Goats when I've run out of material because, let's face it, the average person hasn't heard of either.
That should be it. If there's any questions, let me know, in case I forgot something.
Why can't you play covers?
TheZeroKid
03/19/10, 10:21 AM
Why can't you play covers?
I think it has something to do with them not wanting to get in trouble by hosting a band playing another band's songs. It's stupid, but some people are tight-asses about that.
UnderMyDreams
03/19/10, 10:26 AM
I think it has something to do with them not wanting to get in trouble by hosting a band playing another band's songs. It's stupid, but some people are tight-asses about that.
Weird considering it's legal.
TheZeroKid
03/19/10, 10:29 AM
Weird considering it's legal.
:shrug: beats me. I never really understood it. At the same time, I wouldn't want a band to play that had no original material.
UnderMyDreams
03/19/10, 10:30 AM
:shrugs: beats me. I never really understood it. At the same time, I wouldn't want a band to play that had no original material.
Yeah but for local bands especially that nobody has heard of, throwing in a cover here and there keeps the audience at least somewhat interested. Ya know?
TheZeroKid
03/19/10, 10:33 AM
Yeah but for local bands especially that nobody has heard of, throwing in a cover here and there keeps the audience at least somewhat interested. Ya know?
Oh of course! There's nothing wrong with playing cover songs. Just as long as the set doesn't comprise of JUST covers.
patrickhowell
03/19/10, 11:23 AM
Weird considering it's legal.
No, it's not. Venues have to pay royalties if bands perform covers. Most large venues belong to a Performing Rights Organization that allow their shows to include covers. Most small venues are off the radar and never get caught. YouTube also has a special deal for cover songs: if the copyright holder wants the song taken down, youtube will take it down. If you want to record and release a cover song on an album, you have to pay licensing fees.
UnderMyDreams
03/19/10, 11:58 AM
No, it's not. Venues have to pay royalties if bands perform covers. Most large venues belong to a Performing Rights Organization that allow their shows to include covers. Most small venues are off the radar and never get caught. YouTube also has a special deal for cover songs: if the copyright holder wants the song taken down, youtube will take it down. If you want to record and release a cover song on an album, you have to pay licensing fees.
Hmmm weird. I thought that you could release cover songs as long as you didn't sell them, and I thought you could play them live.
patrickhowell
03/20/10, 01:15 PM
Hmmm weird. I thought that you could release cover songs as long as you didn't sell them, and I thought you could play them live.
Nope
vBulletin v3.6.0, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.