NSMN & I♡Promoters
We’re trying to kickstart the North Staff Music Network again this week. If you’re based in North Staffordshire and interested in meeting like-minded champions of the local music scene, get yourself over to The Pilgrim’s Pit on Wednesday evening at 7pm for an informal get-together and networking opportunity.
Some of us will be staying at the Pit for their jam night while others will be going to the Independent Venues Week show at The Sugarmill later to watch WARMDUSCHER + Psyence + Filth + Lysander.
Aaaand… Aren’t Promoters Brilliant!
Often describing themselves as professional gamblers, they are financial risk-takers for a living. They have to gamble on you and your music and your ability to pull a crowd. And a lot are prepared to take a punt on you before anyone else will do so.
In the past, when I was in bands myself, I used to see them as a necessary evil. A lot of promoters I came across were in it to line their own pockets. Or so it felt. Occasionally you’d come across a promoter who was in it for the music. The love of curating an amazing lineup and creating an awesome event. But it’s so hard for the good guys! You’ve got to have another income stream if you’re not going to take the lion’s share of the money. Or you’ve got to be able to stick it out for the long game and build the reputation of your night until it’s profitable for you. Or you’ve just got to get lucky and have your steller music taste match that of a whole bunch of local gig-goers.
However you do it, it’s hard.
I’ve seen a couple of deals recently that, without the context and the breakdown, look terrible for the artist. But what makes it harder for promoters is that promoting a show enough for it to be a success is also expensive.
So hats off to (good) promoters. You are awesome!
And do we need more of them? I would argue we do. For diversity of live music on offer if nothing else.
Here are a few of the good guys >>>
Association Of Independent Promoters - https://www.aiporg.com
The Unsigned Guide - https://www.theunsignedguide.com/directory/live/promoters