Hey there, music lovers! Let me spill the 311 on why only the big shots, the superstars, the singers who also act, the social media influencers who think they can carry a note; hit the road for tours while the smaller acts seem to be stuck
in their garage. It's not just about talent, the big names have a massive fan base that can fill arenas faster than you can say "encore." And you know what? Money talks, my peeps. Those huge acts bring in the big bucks, and that's what keeps the show on the road. Who cares about the young band with punk pop sensibilities with thousands of fans and followers? Will they sell merch? Can they pack an arena?
Now, let's talk logistics. Touring, in itself, is no walk in the MacArthur Park. It takes a whole army of crew members, equipment, and a tour bus fancier than Elvis' living room! The big acts have all of the resources to pull off these mega productions, while the smaller bands might struggle to even book a decent venue. It's a tough world out there, and sometimes it's all about who's got the biggest wallet. Sadly, it's as simple as that. Also? The days of paying off radio and tv to get songs played, are loooong gone. The only thing which could possible be tweaked are the algorithms!
When an indie artist or band looks to book a show or a run of shows, the process happens with a three-step process, known as "Hold, Challenge, & Confirm". This process for booking shows runs on a first-come, first-serve basis where the first artist to contractually commit to a date at a venue gets the show! For some, however, the process doesn't come so easy due to lack of industry knowledge or managers.
How much will a promoter get? A manager? The venue? At the end of the day, would a five-piece band make anything to write home about? Tour budgets are very important. Groups rely on sponsorship and even labels still...
No question, the music scene is a wild ride, has been for a bit now, and you never know when the next big thing will hit the stage! So, keep rocking out in your garage or home studio, because who knows? Maybe one day you'll see a headliner selling out stadiums and living the tour life like a rockstar; with an unknown, yet well-followed indie group!
