Openers & Support Act Slots as a Strategy to Grow Your Audience.
  By
Jeri Goldstein, Copyright 2006, The New Music Times, Inc.
One method to
expand your audience is to serve as a support act for a known main
act on multiple tour dates or to open a show for a larger act. These
are choice slots and many acts are vying for them. Sometimes you can
get lucky and be in the right place at the right time. If you are
more interested in process rather than chance, here are a few suggestions
on how to go about landing some of these choice performance slots.
Whether you are attempting to open a single date or be considered
as the supporting act for a full tour, there are three methods to
follow that may help you land those slots.
1. Contact the acts you have selected as logical, compatible choices.
In some instances, you may know a compatible band personally and are
friends with some of the members. This would be the most direct route
to getting on a tour or single date.
If you were unfamiliar with anyone in the act, the next step would
be to contact the act's management. Emerging acts, still building
their own following, but much more established than you, often have
a hot list of new acts on the scene from which they select potential
support or opening acts. Get on that hot list. First you need to contact
the act's management. Check on their tour schedule for an upcoming
or recently played date. If they are playing locally, check with the
venue, if not look on Musi-cal.com or check Pollstar to see if they
are listing their itinerary. Pollstar, www.pollstar.com has a management
directory and Billboard's International Talent & Touring Directory,
lists management, agency and record company—but there is a charge
for the directories.
Once you reach management, tell them you are interested in being considered
for an opener or support act. Let them know you are very familiar
with the act and why you think you would be a good addition to the
show...
Read the full article here.
Jeri Goldstein is the author of, How To Be Your Own Booking Agent
The Musician's & Performing Artist's Guide To Successful Touring 2nd
Edition UPDATED. She had been an agent and artist's manager for 20
years. Currently she consults with artists, agents and managers through
her consultation program Manager-In-A-Box and presents The Performing
Biz, seminars and workshops at conferences, universities, for arts
councils and to organizations. Jeri has released a 3-hour seminar
on CD-ROM, Marketing Your Act. No expensive conferences to attend-learn
at your convenience to boost your career. Her book, CD-ROM and information
about her other programs are available at www.performingbiz.com or
phone (434) 591-1335 or email Jeri at jg@performingbiz.com. |
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