Stage Plans
Stage plans are an important tool for performing live. Keep your plan current, simple and accurate. Sound crew need clear and concise information to set-up the stage for your show.
Here is an example plan. Click Image to download.
Here is a blank template for you to use.
Mic List
For some bigger gigs and on tour, a mic list is handy. This is good for sound crews at festivals and large venues that have many acts on stage. It may also contain information on mixing the band, equipment and backstage requirements. Keeping the list simple and straight forward is the way to go. Here is an example.
Writing a Bio
- A bio or biography is an important part of your Media Pack. It lets Media, Venues and Agencies know important information about you and your band.
- Your Band name
- When the band formed
- How long have you been playing for
- Who are the members of the band
- What instruments do the members play
- The style of music you play or other bands that have influenced you
- Important gigs you have played
- Current contact details
- Any other information you think is relevant, eg: if you have strong social/political beliefs
It should be written in the tone that suits your band’s image. It would be appropriate for a fun punk band like Blink 182 to include humorous aspects in their bio. Fart jokes might be out of place in a Rage Against The Machine bio, as the have a serious political approach to their music. Your bio should be about a page long.
Here are some examples
Sites with more Bio writing info
A Press Kit
A press kit is a tool for a band to get attention from various sectors of the music industry. It is usually sent to to various forms of media or “the press”. It can be sent to record companies (if you are trying to establish a record deal); venues (to score gigs) competitions; CD and speciality stores (so they will stock your CD); instrument companies e.g Pearl , Fender, Yamaha, Gibson (If you are trying to get a sponsorship deal) and even to members of the public.
A press kit is usually made up of:
- Bio – Band Biography (See above)
- Photo – A good quality photograph of the band (newspapers and street press like black & white photographs)
- Demo – A demo CD of your recorded songs
- Promo – Band Promotional items eg caps, pens, stickers
It is also handy to have a band logo. A logo makes your band instantly recognisable. Some bands just write their name in a cool font, others can use symbol that has already been established, like a brand name. Other bands make up their own design. It can have a meaning or be mindless scribble, but the important part is that when it’s seen, people will instantly be reminded of your band.
Website
A website can give a band an excellent platform to present interesting and current information for fans, media and to anyone else with internet access.
You can even set your site up to sell your CD’s and merchandise. Here are some good examples.
Finding and setting up a website is easy and for the most part free and allows you to control your image online and link to your existing social media sites (Facebook, myspace, twitter etc) The following are good steps to take in developing your bands online presence:
- Domain Registration – to reserve www.yourbandname.com.au (Google “Domain Registration” to find lots of companies that do it)
- Create your website (Wordpress and Google sites are good free examples but there are many out there)
- Tell people about it (Create a blog, link your twitter, facebook and myspace and create a mailing list)
- Keep track of visitors (Google Analytics is great for this)
For further information and advice please contact Music NT
(Many thanks to Kris Keogh for his infinite wisdom on these matters)
