One way to spread your reach is to serve as a support act for a band or artist on tour. Going on tour with a prominent act can help you grow your audience in new and foreign markets. Below are three easy ways to get chosen as an opener or support act for prominent bands and artists.
1. Select acts that are compatible with your musical style
Look for suitable acts within your own genre of music. Make sure you choose an act that is ahead of you in the market. By opening for a much larger act, you get to spread your reach wider. The ideal way to secure a support act slot is to start with people you know. Use your personal contacts to get in touch with bands that are looking for support acts.
2. Reach out to the acts you have chosen to support
If you’re unfamiliar with anyone in the act, reach out to their management team. Find out the acts’ tour schedules for upcoming shows. If they are playing at a local venue, get in touch with the owners to avail contact details. You can also use Pollstar’s management directory to obtain relevant contact information. Reach out to the management and tell them you are interested in being considered for an opener or support act. Offer to send in your pitch, music samples and other relevant press materials. The process may take a while as you build a relationship with the act’s management. Be persistent and provide them with updates of your music career.
3. Contact the booking agency
Some acts may have a booking agency instead of a management. Therefore, booking agents must be your next point of contact. Use similar tactics mentioned above to reach out to a booking agent. Find out which booking agency represents the act and shoot them an email with your pitch. Be patient and build a cordial relationship with agents to achieve success.
4. Contact the venue owner or booking person
Approach a venue and ask for an opening slot for any upcoming shows. Find out which acts have been booked by the venue. If there are any compatible acts on the list, request the venue to be considered for an opening act. Send in your promotional material and request the venue booker to make the initial contact with the act’s management. A recommendation from the venue itself can boost your chances of being accepted as a support act. In certain cases, venues have the liberty to arrange openers for certain acts. However, the act’s agent sets policies on openers. Thus, forward all your details to the venue. This increases your chances of being considered for a slot when appropriate situations arise.
Performing as a support act for prominent bands and artists can enhance your credibility and reach. Follow the above strategies to get support act slots for a touring band.
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Manasa Boggaram is a writer and has a strong passion for music, positive news and constructive journalism. When she is not researching story ideas or writing blog posts, she spends her time reading books, discovering new music and eating lots of street food.
