Organizing a concert and/or music festival is quite
difficult. There are many issues that
need to be addressed before the festival is a success such as, budgeting, venue
selection, bands and entertainment, specialties (riders), equipment needs and
rentals, ticket pricing and printing, promotion and advertisements, sound and
lighting engineers, and legality needs.
Finding a music
promoter to help take charge is the first step in creating a concert or
event. A music promoter, not to be
confused with the public relations agent, helps to publicize the event being
planned. Promoters also work with the
entertainment and the entertainments’ agents.
Promoters should stay involved with the event through the duration of
the project.
Next should be finding and solidifying a
perfect venue. Venues also need
contracts just like entertainment, so be sure to leave plenty of time to work
through contract details. If your event
is an inside establishment like a restaurant or bar setting, you may be able to
work a deal. For example, the chosen
venue may opt to allow usage free of charge on the note that they keep all
alcohol profits, etc. The promoter will
also help establish a contract with a venue that works best for all involved.
Your promoter can also decide how
to pay the band and take care of riders if need be. The term “rider” is a music term for anything
extra the band and or entertainment may need besides pay. For example, a band may want to work in hotel
fees along with its pay. The promoter
can help keep all the extras in check with the bands.
The last big issue to think about
and take care of when planning a concert or music festival is promoting and
advertising. Try to “free” advertise as
much as possible. For example, word of
mouth is more effective than you may think.
If copied flyers are plastered all over town, and everywhere someone
goes, he or she sees a flyer advertising an event, a person is more likely to
see what all the fuss is about. Also,
reserve some money for colored posters and radio advertisements.
There are so many aspects to having
a successful musical event. I have only
blogged about how to get a good start.
My advice is to start with good research and a good categorized
plan. And don’t forget an easy-going
attitude that rolls with the punches. For an in-depth look at concert promotion and event planning check out these two sites: www.concert-promotions.com and Muscians.about.com/od/musicindustrybasics.html
