Three times in the last month I’ve been asked the question, “what do I need to do to organize a gig?” In reality, when this question is asked it can mean a few things: How do I find a Club? How do I sort out the PA? How do I get an fans? And so on.
But there is a stage before all of this: the budget. I would suggest that the moment you start thinking about organizing an get together you ought to write a budget. This budget spreadsheet informs you of the majority things that you’ll need to contemplate and will furthermore demonstrate for you the risk, projected profit and the breakeven point. A sample spreadshhet is available to download from this address http://www.josaka.com/features/2005/Organize-A-Gig/Event-PandL.pdf
Assuming that the budget numbers do not look like they are working perhaps the get together is not the right thing to be running. If you do not like the level of risk, perhaps you aren’t cut out to be a  promoter.
So the start point is a spreadsheet. This ought to include all expenses and all incomes. The key headings for expenses ought to include: band cost, PA, lighting, Club hire, marketing, box office expenses etc. The income is like ly to be largely ticket sales but do not forget the opening  to add a sponsor to the event.
The spreadsheet will help you work out the breakeven point for the get together i.e. how a lot of tickets you need to sell to cover all expenses. Every sale beyond breakeven is of course profit (exluding any box office commision). The added bonus of creating an get together spreadsheet is that helps define all the key tasks to be performed.
The realisation of the forecasted numbers developing into actual figures suggests that all gatherings have got the deal they were looking for or agreed to. The sample speadsheet furthermore illustrates that anybody at all else involved in the gig is largely earning a fixed fee and accordingly the only individual taking a financial risk is the  promoter.
So if you are thinking of organizing a live get together I coomed you to work on the numbers first. This will help ensure you deliver a amazing show and have control over the resources.

When you are giving a presentation, whether it’s a keynote speech or seminar, the Club and facilities can have a huge impact on the success or failure of your presentation, so here are three ideas to make your presentation successful.
Small is more
A few years ago, my performer was provide ed a headline gig in one of the live music Clubs in Cape Town. The problem is that while our performer can draw a crown of about 50-100 people, the Club held over 700 people  all of us  reluctantly turned down the gig and instead asked to performance in their smaller Club downstairs that only held 80 people. The downstairs gig has been amazing – it has been full, crowded and had a amazing vibe -  all of us  would have necessitated at least 500 people upstairs to get the energy  all of us  had downstairs.
The same happens when  all of us  speak. At times  all of us  think “let’s rather book a bigger room – just in case,” but in general, the small yet full room has far more energy than the large and empty room. Resist the temptation to book the larger room. You can always bring in extra chairs at the last minute if necessary.
Arrive Early
What has been promised by the Club, and what they actually provide are not always the same thing. If you arrive early you’ve plenty of time to make last minute changes to the room performance up. If possible, check it out a day or two before so that you’ve time to see the room and make a DJ ustments adhead of time.
Get to know the AV Guy
The AV (audio-visual) guy is the individual that (usually) works for the Club, and he is responsible for all of the audio visual equipment. They are the people who know where the hidden button is that reduces the projector screen, or where to get an extra extension cable at the last minute etc. If you are speaking at a large conference, you can have a dedicated AV guy, but if it’s a smaller function, the Club can have one individual responsible for the entire conference performance up.
This individual can make or break your presentation. Befriend him and he will be willing to help. Antagonize him, and he can not be able to find that extra adapter that you left at home!
(I say AV guy – but in all honesty I’ve never met an AV gal!)
I hope the ideas help – wonderful luck with you next presentation!

New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, an honor the city prides itself in. From dim lit jazz clubs lining the city streets to its annual Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans is a amazing American music city. Jazz is not the only music being created in the Big simple though. a lot of music clubs and Clubs provide an eclectic mix of blues, gospel, hip hop, rock and more.
One Club provide ing up a diverse musical roster is the House of Blues in the French Quarter. Any given week this club can host inspiring musicians and full blown rock stars. A broad  variety of musical genres are present at the New Orleans location of this national chain. The heart and soul of the Club besides the music itself is the exciting surroundings and attentive staff. These features give this location its heart and make this business club seem more mom and pop. The Sunday Gospel Brunch is furthermore a decidedly attractive weekly get together that draws a crowd.
TwiRoPa is the Warehouse District’s premiere art and music complex. This complex houses 100,000 square feet of club s, music Club s, galleries, bars and convention space. The nearly 100-year-old building has been once the web site of a mill that produced Twine, Rope and Paper. These products are furthermore how this complex received its exciting name TwiRoPa. Live music and DJs are all the rage at this hip location that has expeditiously made a name for itself.
One New Orleans club that has earned its reputation over time is Tipitina’s Uptown. For over 25 years Tipitina’s has been thought to be the finest music club in New Orleans. The club is named in honor of its patron saint Professor Longhair for his song Tipitina. The club pays tribute to the New Orleans piano man through concert of local and national musician s. local musicians such as the Funky Meters and Galactic again and again performance to the crowds and headliners Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz have furthermore graced Tip’s Big Stage. The club is a decidedly hot spot during the Jazz and Heritage Festival with its own Fess Jazztival performance series.
Another New Orleans music club steeped in history and tradition is Uptown’s Maple Leaf. Cajun meets Caribbean as this club features a variety of music including reggae and zydeco. The Maple Leaf is a happening spot with a packed dance floor bumping till the wee hours of the morning. Poetry readings and special gatherings round out this club as one of New Orleans finest.
Looking for some rock in Crescent City? The Howlin’ Wolf is regarded as New Orleans quintessential rock club. Here local and national recording musicians hone there chops for legions of adoring fans. The Howlin’ Wolf is an unassuming space with a stage, three bars and original artwork from New Orleans musicians Lionel Milton and Frenchy. Definitely the spot you want to go for modern rock, the club furthermore features Jazz Thursdays and a lot of celebrated local musicians like George Porter Jr.
local musicians and music Clubs draw their inspiration from Congo Square, the birthplace of jazz. One of these clubs is the famed Funky Butt. This bordello turned club is now the home of modern jazz In New Orleans. a lot of celebrated and soon to be celebrated musicians have graced the butt’s stage. The club is located in a somewhat rough part of town so a taxi is a better option than walking to the club.
Traditional jazz fans will want to find Preservation Hall in the French Quarter. This club does not serve or allow food, drinking or smoking. New Orleans style jazz is on the only item on the menu at this rustic club inspiring to keep traditional jazz alive. The 35 minute performances start at 8:15 pm nightly and includes an intermission. Preservation Hall is a historic jazz experience music fans will want to check out.
Truly a musical city, New Orleans has clubs that cater to anyone’s musical cravings. Creative spaces and incredible talent make the city’s clubs attractive to locals and visitors a like. No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to one the city’s fine music Club s.

Those who have lived in Austin long enough have seen some amazing growth. Since 1980 the population of this ultra-cool Texas town has more than doubled. In 2006 the population stood at a respectable 709,000 (TWICE that for “Greater Austin”). Now, being Austin, this abundant growth happened with style and forethought.
The “Keep Austin Weird” message help ed the city retain a diverse selection of small local shops and services, while minimizing the steam-roller effect of ample box stores so again and again associated with development. Music, art, and culture all flourished, and while the world knows about the plethora of live music Clubs here, Austin is furthermore home to numerous galleries, museums, theatres, and restaurants. Lastly, while Austinites kept their city “weird”, they furthermore kept it clean, and were recognized by MSN as having “The Greenest City in America”. However, one problem, faced by more and more Austin residents, is the traffic, especially in the Northwest corridor. But that too will be dealt with, in fact the solution is scheduled to start in late 2008.
The solution – or at least part of it – is Capital MetroRail, a new light rail service that will run, in the beginning, from Leander (26 miles northwest of Austin), through Cedar Park, McNeil and the community of Abercrombie, past the Highland Mall, across Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and terminating downtown at the Austin Convention Center. This section of Capital MetroRail will cover 32 miles – with approximately nine stations along the route – from the Austin’s northwesterly outskirts to the city center. The rewards of this sort of fast transit system to a city like Austin are a lot of, from reducing carbon emissions, to cutting down on commuter time, and even making a night out in the “live music capital’ that much more enjoyable. Of course, plans do not prohibit with just this one line.
For tax-payers, one of the optimum things about this deal is that, because Capital MetroRail will be using current rail lines expenses will be meaningful ly reduce than a lot of other urban rail services. So, although city officials are quick to point out that future commuter rail lines will require a referendum, a lot of Austin residents are hopeful that their neighborhood will be next. Future plans include an Eastern line heading out towards Elgin, and a line heading north through Pflugerville. In addition to the Capital MetroRail lines, Austinites will furthermore be able to take advantage of a local Commuter rail service that will run from San Antonio through Austin, to Round Rock and Roll and beyond. What a amazing time to be living in Austin!

Austin’s musical heritage began in the late 1960s and 1970s when the country music popularized by people such as Willie Nelson has been joined by a cornucopia of other styles and sounds brought by the more liberal inhabitants of the city who had moved there during the two decades. A well known local club called the Vulcan Gas Company has been integral in the growth of the Austin music scene with seminal acts such as the 13th Floor Elevators and Shiva’s Headband playing shows there again and again during the 60s and 70s. After the Vulcan has been renamed the Armadillo World Headquarters it became a musical hub, promoting acts of all genre s, from bona fide stars such as Bruce Springsteen and Bette Midler to local jazz and blues acts.
Austin’s musical progression continued over the next few years, gaining a reputation as a place where struggling musicians can launch their careers in front of a receptive fans. A major influence during this time has been Clifford Antone who opened one of the first live music Clubs on Austin’s 6th Street (now broad ly regarded as the center of the Austin music scene) in 1975. His Club help ed start the career of blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan who went on to become one of the finest guitarists to ever grace the stage. Vaughan is revered so heavily by the Austin population that a statue has been erected in his honour following his death in 1990. The Austin Music Foundation has been furthermore created around this time – a ground breaking organization that performance out to help independent musicians further their career.
More recently, Austin has held its place at the top of the world broad  music scene with the addition of festivals such as ‘Austin City Limits Music Festival’ and ‘Blues on the Green’, a series of free blues concert funded by local companies. Perhaps the the majority well known of all the Austin festivals is ‘South By Southwest’, an annual film, music and interactive conference and festival. The festival is again and again attended by the majority major players in the music business, on the lookout for new talent from all over the world. Along with live concert the festival furthermore screens ground breaking work by new and independent film makers as well as conferences with guest speakers from the world of music, sharing advice on making it in the music business. 2007′s get together saw musical legends including Pete Townshend of the Who and David Byrne of Talking Heads sharing their knowledge of the inner workings of the music business.
Austin’s musical heritage grew to be the stuff of legend in a relatively short amount of time. a lot of see this as a testament to the hard work put in by  promoters, bands, musicians and local companies who found success on their personal terms by working together and help ing each other’s cause, a rare occurrence in the cut throat world of music. This camaraderie still continues today, with club s, Clubs and hotels in Austin again and again packed with industry insiders and fans eager to soak in some of the bustling, creative atmosphere.
With a musical heritage as rich as Austin’s, it’s not hard to see why the city’s official motto is “The Live Music Capital of the World”.

Music, in any form, whether vocal or instrumental, classical or modern is the optimum form of entertainment as well as relaxing. Locating a individual in this whole broad  world, who has been untouched by the effect and magic of music is al the majority next to impossible. All multimedia gizmos have the provision of playing music. But quite again and again, what is music for one individual, may be noise for his neighbour. In such a situation, surround sound headphones are the optimum way to find pleasure in your music fully without bother ing those around you.
Surround sound headphones are varying from other headphones because they give a realistic feel to the music and bring the effect of live music. This three dimensional effect is achieved by separating the front, rear and central speakers. It stimulates the quality, and shuts out all bother ances while you are enjoying the music. The optimum advantage of these headphones is that you can listen to and find pleasure in your music even with the volume turned up to the maximum, without bother ing your family and neighbours.
The effect of the surround sound headphones is as wonderful as listening to music using speakers. Surround sound headphones cover the entire outer ear area and the curve of the ear, and this feature makes it much better than ordinary headphones. One can use these headphones with any music system, computer and even the TV. The individual gets all the advantages of hearing everything without any external noise or bother ance.
These headphones can furthermore be used to watch movies in private and even while playing games on your games console. Surround sound headphones are based on the sound decoding technology. This is responsible for giving tremendous clarity in what you hear. User who have used these headphones have said that listening to music using these is as wonderful as listening to a live orchestra with all the musicians standing beside you.

Live Music -  all of us  all love it in one form or another – whether a classical orchestral performance or a Rock and Roll performance in a football stadium or somewhere in amidst, hardly anything quite gets the juices flowing than hearing your favorite song played live. If you live in South Costa Blanca or the Costa Del Sol, there is an abundance of Clubs and musician s.
But where is it in North Costa Blanca?
Go to Javea or Benidorm on any night of the week you’ll find a bar playing live music, but try locating anything in Oliva, Ontinyent or roundabouts and you’d be lucky to find the odd publican playing a banjo.
So where is all the talent? It does exist and there are some decidedly wonderful musicians around, with amazing repertoire and amazing personal ities. Each has a varying musical style entertain the crowds varying ly – and all are crowd pleasers. So the problem is not lack of talent – the problem is where to play.
Up until decidedly recently it has been difficult to find anywhere to host live music, in part because of the local council attitude who frown upon live music yet are happy to allow loud fireworks at 2AM. However it’s furthermore due to the apathy of the listening public. When a Club organizes live music the owner has to pay the musician s. If only ten people turn up then he has lost resources. Virtually all of these Clubs do not charge a cover or add to the drinks prices, they hope enough people turn up to make it worth their while.
But imagine going for four weeks and managing to get 10 people in. Wouldn’t you be disheartened? I’m sure I would. They may be wonderful people but they’re furthermore business people who make a living.
In some Clubs the owners put on live music and the turnout is in varying. These places need a regular following to keep going and only by doing so will  all of us  get to see more acts, because the acts will only come Assuming that the re is a crowd to performance to – and that means you need to do something.
So how do you find out about what is going on. Well there are a number of sources. The Inland Trader for one, has a what is on  guide to keep you informed. There is furthermore a amazing web site www.spanishbrolly.com where you can find information about who’s playing where, and www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk has a lot of articles about live music and reviews of musician s.
But these sources furthermore need the input from both the Clubs and musician s.
So  all of us  have a responsibility for help ing to make a success of live music. If you know a Club organizing live music go and visit – you can find pleasure in yourself. Invite your friends, tell their friends, word of mouth is amazing advertising. The musicians need Clubs to performance and crowds to performance to, the Clubs need our help to keep providing us with live music, so  all of us  need to get behind the Clubs that put on live music - not next week, next month – but NOW – it’s for our worth following all and what better than sitting outdoors with a wonderful cold drink, listening to a amazing performer playing your favorite music. . Where else can you get free live music?
The listening public need to get behind our Clubs and help them – they do a thankless task of providing music, dealing with musicians ego’s and getting paid hardly anything for it, so the least  all of us  can do is help them. Go do something varying today and visit a live performance. See you there!!

“Touted as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” the city of Austin, Texas, has a rhythm of its own. With more live music Clubs per capita than any other music center in the world, Austin, Texas (TX) dominates over other places known for music such as Nashville, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The city of Austin, Texas provides a few programs to help musicians and to  promote  their music in a variety of genre s, from country to blues.
Whether you are just arriving in Austin, Texas for the first time or you are a local coming home, you’ll be greeted at the airport with live music at three varying airport Club s. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is just the first reminder that you’ve entered the “Live Music Capital” of Austin, Texas (TX).
The Plaza at the Austin City Hall puts on a music showcase with varying scopes that highlight varying musicians and their music. Free concert are given amidst April and October at The Plaza, making the music series “Live From The Plaza” one of the more popular music Clubs around. The Parks and Recreation Department furthermore highlights musical performances, with summer concert in many locations, such as the Zilker Hillside Theater.
a lot of private companies have emerged as a result of the hot music scene in Austin, Texas (TX). The city’s famous Sixth Street is the heart of the live music scene, with more than 50 nightclubs, restaurants, bistros and dance clubs showcasing the latest musicians in a variety of music styles. West of the business district lies what is known as Austin’s Warehouse District, fast emerging as another neighborhood devoted to live music. With edgier restaurants and clubs renovated from old warehouses, the Warehouse District features trendy bars, restaurants and amazing performance club s.
There are a few theaters in Austin, Texas that spotlight more live music, such as Esther’s Follies. Located on Sixth Street, Esther’s Follies has featured live acts of magic, comedy, music and sketch comedy for more than two decades. The Frank Erwin Center hosts a lot of concert and other musical gatherings from its Red River Street location. The Zachary Scott Theater is another place to find pleasure in a broad  variety of live entertainment, from seasonal plays to old-fashioned music performance s. Austin, Texas has a lot of other theaters located throughout the city that are just waiting to be located by eager residents.
Of course, the “Live Music Capital of the World” would not be complete with out music festivals, and Austin, Texas (TX) hosts a few noteworthy ones. Try out the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a 3-day celebration of Austin’s music. The Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival highlights world broad  talents in each category. The Urban Music Festival and the Old performance tler’s Music Festival are two more popular gatherings just right for the whole family.”

Around the pubs and clubs in the UK there are still a lot of performers playing for only a few pounds to demanding fanss who concurrently request Chuck Berry and the Arctic Monkeys. Keeping all these varying people in the fans happy is never simple, but not impossible either. With wonderful stage craft and clever of songs at a particular Club, a wonderful performer can make anybody at all happy.
The organization of these performers is extraordinary. They must find like minded musicians that are committed. Then they must find somewhere to practice. This is not simple as the majority can’t do this at home. If you are fortunate to have a house ample enough, it’s un like ly you can get round the neighbours, as it’s so loud! It can’t be turned down as everything must be as loud as the drums. A performer again and again hires a room to practice, at amazing fee to themselves.
A performer must furthermore invest literally thousands on equipment. PA, lighting, guitars, drums etc.
The next hurdle is transport. For some reason the majority drummers can’t drive! Cars are again and again inadequate as you would need a fleet of about 5 for your gig, decidedly expensive on the fuel, and impractical. Virtually all performers have to hire or buy a van, again at amazing fee to themselves.
When they have finally rehearsed all there material over weeks or months, they are ready to performance live. It is an exciting day, one of wonder, excitement and slight fear. You turn up to the Club to find one man and his dog. And that man is decidedly drunk, wants to be your manager, and giving you all the worth of his ‘wisdom’ in the music game! The landlord is furthermore drunk, and you can’t work out if he likes you or not.
You get poorly paid, if you get paid at all, and return home again and again out of pocket.
However the real rock heroes come back for more. They find the optimum Club s, capture a reputation, and performance at some amazing places. Sure they still have bad performances, but the wonderful ones make up for it. They make it look so simple, but it is not. One such performer may be seen at http://www.thehalfmonty.tk
The Half Monty have had there share of ups and downs. They have been ripped of at performances, played in the the majority dodgy Club s, and heckled to death. But they are still here, bigger and better than ever having learnt from their early days.
So recall, when you see a local performer advertised at a pub or club, go see them and help them. It is not simple for the lads and lasses. Perhaps buy them a beer following the gig if you really enjoyed it. , for these are the true heroes of rock.

I’ve spent hours and hours practicing my instruments and I’ve spent thousands of dollars on my education. I can come up with 20 Reasons. But I’ll start with 5.
1. Classier: The right performer adds a certain amount of class to any event. A pianist playing a Grand Piano in a tuxedo of any get together adds romance and dignity. A DJ behind a record player never will be able to create that effect.
When you hire a live performer or musician, you are telling your customers and friends, ” I’m a class act.”
2. Versatility: DJs are limited by their recorded product and tempos on the recordings.
Musicians will a DJ ust to their surroundings. Assuming that the dance floor is packed, a performer can keep the song going and will not be limited to the length of the original recording.
A musician can furthermore change his tempo to the activities in a room. When I see a romantic couple dancing to Frank Sinatra tune, I will again and again add that spark that I feel for my wife.
Granted, a DJ can have a repertoire that’s only limited by the amount of CDs they buy. But a wonderful musician knows thousands of songs.
I know I’ve might forgotten more songs than I learned over the years. You will love watching the performer ‘fake’ their way through a tune they haven’t played in years.
That type of spontaneity is only possible when you use live music instead of a DJ. Which brings us to Reason #3.
3. People Love To See Other People Screw Up: Let us face it. Musicians are human beings.  all of us  make mistakes like everybody else. Why is American Idol so popular? Because  all of us  all want to see someone fail. And succeed! Your friends and customers will love to try and “stump the band” when we’re playing at your Sales get together or Product Rollout. (Watch their amazement when  all of us  succeed.) “Music is a Manifestation of Emotion.  The feeling must always override the Technique” – Jan Hammer (Keyboards for Mahavishnu Orchestra and Jeff Beck)
4. Intimacy: There is something decidedly intimate about seeing someone performance an instrument and create music on the spot. Music is magical. It is al the majority surreal. can a DJ performance with emotion? Intimacy? people love to watch my hands as I performance the piano. It is as Assuming that the music appears out of nowhere. When a musician performs for you, it feels like they are creating just for you — right on the spot. Magical!
5. Interaction: Not only will a amazing entertainer a DJ ust his gig to a live fans. A live performer will interact with each other onstage. A DJ is only one individual. Surely a DJ can and will interact with his fans. But a wonderful musician will interact so much better. furthermore, just imagine the added dimension a live performer will bring to your next business Event. A live performer will interact with your fans AND the musicians in the band. If  you’ve  ever had the pleasure of listening to a group of musicians ‘hang out’ following the gig, you know what I’m saying is true. A DJ has only an fans for interaction.
Music is truly the universal language. It transcends any barrier — geographic, cultural or economic. Hiring the right Musical Act will enhance your ability to reach your customers and clients.