Know-howHow to get the most from the venue directory
What the directory is
It's the rooms worth knowing in Brisbane, plus a pitch template that bookers actually read. Venues show as names only until they make their own free profile and add a booking email. Booking details change, so always check the venue's own site before you send.
Do your homework first
- Go to a show there. See who plays, what night, how big the crowd is.
- Check their socials for the kind of acts they book and on which nights.
- Find the right contact. A booking email beats a DM to the main account.
- Be honest about fit. A heavy three-piece and a quiet wine bar won't work, however good you are.
- Pick the slot you can actually fill: support, weeknight or headline.
The pitch that gets read
Bookers get a lot of email. Short, specific and honest wins. Here's our template, ready to fill in:
- Subject: [Your act] for a [weeknight / support] slot, [month]
- G'day [booker's name],
- I'm [name] from [act], a [genre] act from [suburb]. We'd love a [support / weeknight / headline] slot at [venue] in [month].
- Listen: [one link, your best song]
- Live: [one short live video]
- Last show: [venue, date, roughly how many came]
- We can bring [honest number] people and we'll push the show on [where].
- Happy to fit your night and your sound.
- Cheers, [name] · [phone] · [link]
Pitching tips
- One link, your best song. Bookers don't have time for your whole catalogue.
- Add one short live video. It proves you can hold a room.
- Be honest about how many people you'll bring. They'll find out anyway.
- Pitch well ahead. As a rule of thumb, aim for two to three months before the month you want.
- Follow up once, a week later. Then leave it.
- If they say no, say thanks. Bookers move between venues and remember manners.
Once you're booked
Confirm everything in writing: date, set time, set length, load-in, sound check, fee or door split, guest list, and who does the posters. Then list it on our gig register, make your poster, and push it where you said you would.
After the show, if you're an APRA AMCOS member, submit a Performance Report with what you played, where and when [1]. Live royalties come from the licence fees venues pay, and without the report your songs can't be matched to the gig [1].
Common mistakes
- Sending the same email to 30 venues with "Dear Sir/Madam".
- Attaching big audio files instead of one link.
- Overselling your draw.
- Following up every two days.
- Not promoting once you're booked. Venues remember who brought people.
Can you book the gig for me?
No. We're not a booking agency. The directory and template are here to help you do it yourself.
Why do some venues have no contact details?
We list venues as names only until they make their own profile. Check their website for booking info.
How many people should I say I'll bring?
The honest number. If it's 12, say 12.
I'm a venue. How do I get on the board?
Make a free profile and add your booking email.
What do I do after the show?
Thank the venue, and if you're an APRA AMCOS member, submit a Performance Report
[1].
