How to Get More Shows: A Real Talk for Artists

This is just my take, but I got an interesting question from an artist recently, and it made me think. When I look at the music industry right now, I see a lot of artists faking it till they make it and honestly, it can end up ruining their online presence. I’m not talking about the front-end stuff that everyone sees; I’m talking about the backend that really matters. Yeah, those views might look impressive, but are they even real?

Paid promotions are legit, but you’ve got to be cautious. Watch out for those companies offering deals that seem too good to be true. A lot of it is just BS. If you’re not careful, your music distributor can get fined, and you could end up blacklisted from all major digital platforms (DSPs). Trust me, it’s not worth the risk.

But let me get back to the main question: “What’s the best way to get shows?”

If you’re struggling to get booked despite trying everything, one option that works for a lot of artists is booking a flight to India and connecting with club promoters. You might need to pay the promoter to get on bigger lineups, but this is a common way artists jumpstart their careers. India is a hotspot for artists who want to look bigger than they actually are, and once you’re performing there, who knows? You could start landing more shows back home.

There are plenty of artists in the UK and Canada who rarely get booked locally but are performing all over India without even having a hit song. Sometimes this strategy works, sometimes it doesn’t, but you’ve got to give it a shot.

This is just my opinion, but back in the day, a lot of managers I knew used this formula to help their artists break through.

Also, remember that a proper, well-organised show gets promoted way in advance. People in the industry will definitely take notice of what you’re doing, but here’s the catch: the audience doesn’t really care that much. They’re not paying attention to how far ahead you’re planning. So, be careful, just because your show is being talked about in industry circles doesn’t mean the public is fully tuned in. Make sure your promo reaches the right crowd, not just the insiders.

At the end of the day, though, it’s a good look for you as an artist. Pulling off a properly promoted show boosts your credibility, and your social media pages will benefit, too. When people see you performing and making moves, it elevates your brand and makes your online presence look solid. It’s all about making the right moves both on stage and online.

Stay Blessed Fam!

Love ❤️ 👊🏽