If you are a loyal reader of Lucid Media Blog, you must be aware of our local basement shows that have gained a reputation. We are passionate about promoting local music and artists and have received numerous online and offline inquiries about how we host such shows. In this article, we will answer your queries and provide you with information on how to host a basement show.
1. Find a Basement / Venue to Host
Finding the right venue is crucial for any successful show. You must contact local venue owners by sending professional emails or direct messages with links to your work. For South Jersey locals, check out our post, Top 8 South Jersey Open Mics for some small to medium-sized venues. You must showcase your energy and performance through video content, which can also serve as promotional material for potential venues. For example, Lucid Media Blog has been hosting successful shows for only a few months and has an hour of high-quality video content on YouTube to showcase our performances. For example, our video Quadruple Release Show | Live @ The Grotto. With this approach, venue owners can clearly understand what to expect from your show and make an informed decision.
Further Considerations
It is essential to discuss smoking policies, age restrictions, alcohol rules, maximum occupancy, sound system, furniture, parking, and logistics with the venue.
2. Basement Show Logistics
Great! You have an open date from the venue. What’s next? It’s time to handle logistics, which involve coordinating artists and performers, understanding rules and regulations, and planning an unforgettable night. It’s essential to be thorough and leave no stone unturned. Easy access to information is crucial, especially for a basement or DIY show. That’s why creating a group chat that includes you, the venue, and all the participants is recommended.
This way, everyone can share their expectations and requirements, such as arrival time for sound check, set times, rules and regulations, and other essential details. A group chat will ensure everyone is on the same page, ensuring communication and clarity. Following this approach can save you much time and avoid headaches. Before using this method, I had to answer the same questions from five artists, which was like herding cats. But with clear and unified communication, everything runs smoothly. See Throwing a DIY House Show for more information.
3. Promoting DIY Shows
Some argue this is the most critical step in hosting a basement show. It’s crucial to inform people about who, what, and where. Local promotions like The Tooth Fairy Collective do well to understand and promote their hardcore niche hardcore shows in the area. Although social media can help to spread the word, it’s not always the most effective method. Relying on word-of-mouth and a visually appealing flyer can go a long way. Provide potential attendees with a verbal invitation and a link to the event. A verbal invitation makes them feel wanted and excited about the event and creates a sense of urgency to attend.
At Lucid Media, we promote events 10 days in advance with flyers including the event name, artists, lineup, showtime, and fees. Location is kept secret until the event to avoid overcrowding. We only invite interested attendees and create hype via social media. We post updates daily until the event to create FOMO.
4. Showtime
Today is a big day for artists. The venue is preparing for a large crowd, and you might feel nervous. If you’ve done your job well, your flyers should be visible across multiple platforms. Now is the final time to post about the night ahead and let your excitement build to a head. However, things will get hectic soon, so make sure you have a team to help you.
You won’t be able to manage everything alone. Your team should consist of “bad cops” to keep the peace, run security, collect payments, protect equipment, and remove anyone causing trouble. You will also need “good cops” to MC the night, network with performers and attendees, and spread positive vibes. My business partner and I rotate these roles among ourselves and a small group of trusted individuals. You don’t need a large team, but having 2 to 5 people can help ensure that everything runs smoothly.
It’s also essential to engage all the senses of your audience. In addition to great music, think about what they see, taste, smell, and feel. Make the night unforgettable by making them feel something special. At the media blog, we have a secret formula that makes people feel important and keeps them returning for more. Here are more resources and Tips for Hosting a DIY Live Performance.
5. Money
Let’s discuss the payment process for performers. When we host basement shows, our top priority is to compensate our artists fairly, and we do this by dividing the earnings based on various factors like the event’s attendance, the ticket price, and the artist’s position in the lineup. The house always gets paid first, including any special costs, and the remaining profits are split among the artists at the end of the night. Some promoters may advise against paying the artists due to potential liability issues. Still, we recommend compensating them as much as possible to show our appreciation for their contribution to making the event a success.
6. Morning After
Following up is vital to solidify your presence in the basement scene. The morning after is the perfect time to showcase videos and images from the previous night. Expressing gratitude and appreciation is essential, especially for the artists and staff members. Now is also an excellent opportunity to increase interest in future shows and build FOMO (fear of missing out).
Even though you may be tired, taking advantage of the excitement and euphoria from the night before is crucial. Reach out to those who attended and use the influx of clips to research new venues and artists. Use this information to refine your process and make improvements. Go back to the drawing board and tweak things as necessary. Where were the spots that worked well? Use this knowledge to refine your approach.
Conclusion
To sum up, hosting a basement show is not only about creating a good atmosphere and having fun. It would help if you also were an authority figure responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations. Both performers and attendees will try to test your limits, but you have to be the one to draw the line. The event’s success depends on you, so choose your team wisely. Select experienced artists, treat the venue carefully, and do your best. Good luck with your event!
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