Ryan's Gig Guide - March 2019

The greatest tribute act success story ever told Explaining the world of the tribute band or art- ist in one small paragraph is difficult so instead here's a real life tale. A long time ago in a ven- ue far far away I witnessed a David Bowie solo tribute act supporting an original band; arguably the most miserable looking musician I've ever seen grace a live stage. He had the coldest most soulless defeatist stare etched on to his face which read "Does an- yone even care that I'm here?". You know what happened the following day? David Bowie died. A few weeks later I saw that same Bowie trib- ute artist beaming with the happiest energetic smile; the guy has at least twenty bookings a month for the next three years; oozing with joy and so full of life. He's there thinking "thank you Bowie; thank you for dying.All those years wearing make-up and ridiculous extra small T-shirts finally paid off; I'll never starve. My three kids and my disa- bled ex wife will no longer regard me as a fail- ure. I'm a starman in the bestselling show". Perks of music management If you assume that hiring a top manager means giving someone else the responsibility of chas- ing jobs a musician doesn't enjoy doing so that you can concentrate more on masturbating backstage with your instrument then prepare to be disappointed. For example; John Macal- lister, the founder of ArtistPR, states that "99% of music managers won't sign up an artist who isn't already proven" meaning if you haven't built an online presence or large fan base yourself plus a clear career direction then a professional manager wouldn't even use you as a bukkake mop. Management teams frequently get approached by bands or vice-versa; services often include negotiating contracts and fees, tracking down and booking events or venues but their basic role is to bring together people and projects; like a pimp but less drug dealing and prostitution. To make their task straightforward a music manage- ment company will likely offer advice on career decisions, publici- ty and promotion; the polite way of informing an art- ist to give a toss about their own band or image. Is- sues are normally addressed such as unprofession- al photographs and terrible or Music Industry Explained [Part 2] By Nick J.Townsend www.ryansgigguide.com 22 rgg Mar 2019