Hello folks. I'm new. So go easy. Anyway - cutting to the chase:

I am sat here wondering if Sheffield is the hardest place in the UK to get a good gig?

I represent an act from the USA who can get gigs all across the country - sometimes at universities or naval bases - often to packed out crowds.

But after two gut wrenchingly bad experiences in Sheffield in the past I am kinda loathe to return. So, I was wondering if anyone can suggest the best venues / promoters to speak to.

Or if the 'people with the power' can contact me direct - then that would be just dandy. I can assure you the act in question is first class with wide audience appeal and an ability to play with most genres.

Kinda unique in many ways.

So, hit me up...

Im a promoter for a venue in Sheffield - do you have a myspace site for this band ?

Hello folks. I'm new. So go easy.

there's sheriffs all over this town, this ain't deadwood, backhander ;) first things first, if you're promoting a band then before you go on any forum, put a link to their myspace in your signature. if they haven't got a myspace, set one up asap. always customise your forum signature (with a link) to promote you and your work before making the first post on any forum. also, take the time and trouble to post a custom avatar as well.

and an ability to play with most genres.

so is your band doing mainly covers, then? certain promoters in sheffield deal only with original bands. king mojo is a good one, but he doesn't really deal with wedding/function cover bands, only with bands writing original music. here's (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=362145) one of his promotion threads here on SF. he's called matt and he's a lovely bloke (hey, we named our cat after his band mojo and the beatniks!) so approach him and also ghostrider.

Im a promoter for a venue in Sheffield - do you have a myspace site for this band ?

i agree with ghostrider. you need to post a link to a myspace for the band. also in the UK a lot of bands are into the facebook network so it would be worth setting up a facebook group for the band and then talking about that on here to get people interested. sheffield is a very easy place to get a gig, i've gigged here myself with my band venus tree in the mid 90s and it soon starts to snowball if you're any good, with venues asking you back and a local fan base developing. and in this internet age you've got so many avenues going for you. my advice would be not to think of "people with the power" as other people who are out to stop you, but to turn that whole way of thinking on its head and think of you and your band as having the power to give the public what it wants. think of what you've got to offer, and then work really hard to get it out there. also networking and always being friendly is vitally important especially in the music industry where those with experience are very jaded by big egos and time wasters. in my opinion, it's not rocket science, it's 10% talent and 90% hard graft and dedication.

good luck! :)

Try contacting Karen and Paul of Rythem & choice they are in the phone book
they cover most acts

Thanks for that. I didn't post the link because I genuinely wanted to hear peoples thoughts on which venues/promoters do a good job over here. Rather than have a discussion on the merits of the act itself.

This year I've worked (in a promotion capacity) with the likes of We Are Scientists, Dananananaykroyd, The Mae Shi, Vessels, The Brute Chorus, Wave Pictures, Cats And Cats And Cats, Gideon Conn, Cowtown, Thomas Truax etc.

The act I represent is a unique live performer - offering original music. And as I said - he could work on all types of lineups with all types of genres.

We have 20+ gigs booked across the UK already and we are interested in playing in Sheffield. We have a retention rate of over 80% - once we have played somewhere they always want him back. The 20% is generally venues we don't wish to return to.

Anyway - thanks for the pointers thus far and I will try to contact 'King Mojo' and 'Rhythm and Choice'.

Please keep the ideas re: venues/promoters coming. :)

Well I PMed Ghostrider... who seemed impressed.

If any other promoter/venue (in Sheffield or Yorkshire area) wants to know more then please send me a private message.

Well I PMed Ghostrider... who seemed impressed.

If any other promoter/venue (in Sheffield or Yorkshire area) wants to know more then please send me a private message.
I was impressed - especially after reading the blog from the last tour (laughed my nuts off about the barnesley gig :hihi:)

As stated in my last message to you, gonna discuss it with the rest of the team and get something sorted.

I put on bands but the band are expected to draw a crowd and pull in people to support them, rather than turning up expecting a full crowd who are just willing to listen to anything.

I put on bands but the band are expected to draw a crowd and pull in people to support them, rather than turning up expecting a full crowd who are just willing to listen to anything.

Ah yes - thats the classic approach to gigs. I promote myself - every out of town act is paid, we don't demand or expect them to bring any fans and entry is kept free or minimal. It works very well. And people come because of the quality of acts on show. Not cos their best mate's boyfriend is playing. I kinda prefer it that way.

And in regard to your other point - we don't 'turn up expecting a full crowd who'll listen to anything'. We turn up and impress a room of people and they'll return next time we play.

How many fans from USA do you expect to travel over for a gig in Sheffield? ;o)

Saying that... we actually do have an entourage in Sheffield.

Generally in Sheffield people do go to see bands that they know the members of, or have stumbled over in the past and have enjoyed.

Bands who are not known will generally not fill up the bar or pub, you'll get the regulars who are always in there, but it's down to the band the promoter to advertise it as widely as possible, but even then you're not guaranteed to get people through the door.

Out of town bands are always a gamble for venues. If I book an out of town band I generally ask them to play alongside a local band who I know will bring in a few guaranteed people to watch them.

I'm sure your band will impress people who will return, not doubting that for a minute, but you have to get them to be there in the first place.

I don't expect many bands will want to travel over from the US to gig in Sheffield, that's your choice to do this and to break into this city. If you are doing better in other towns or cities in the UK then continue to do this and if you get a good following there which is in a commutable distance to Sheffield, then perhaps secure a gig in Sheffield and ask them to travel to support you.

I've hosted a US artist on a couple of occasions who did bring a crowd to watch him from other places in the country, produced posters and also contacted the local press. He went over the top to make sure everyone knew he was coming all at his expense. I was really impressed. A few came along out of curiosity.

Maybe its Sheffielders, people like familiarity and like to see bands they know and recognise rather than taking the gamble on something they don't know.

I do enjoy cake, but I couldnt eat it every day.

Pray backhander, tell us more about this act...

I put on bands but the band are expected to draw a crowd and pull in people to support them, rather than turning up expecting a full crowd who are just willing to listen to anything.


A lot depends on your venue and whether you get a crowd anyway or whether people will just go to see a particular band.

I used to put regular rock gigs on years ago at the University and can remember being offered Faith No More first time they came over to the UK. I knew they were a great band - but equally knew no one would come if I put them on.

I suggested the Leadmill - who did band & disco for £2 on a sat (!!) and had people who'd go down on spec to see whoever was on - would be a better bet and sure enough thats where they played - not to a packed house by anymeans- but far more than we'd have got. The flip side is that there is no way the Leadmill would have put on some of the bands we did (a lot of thrash & grebo - as was the fashion then!) and who we got good crowds for.

The hardest? I could get a gig for anyone in Sheffield regardless of your age, talent or music, to be honest I could set up a gig for someone who has never played music or even sung a note before...good gigs are another thing...that's where it helps to be a bit more rehearsed and professional sounding.

But it would help if you actually revealed a name of the act, the style etc. is it just one person? if so is it music or spoken word poetry?? solo singer with backing track? a rapper? a full band, pop, rock, country?

Saying that... we actually do have an entourage in Sheffield.

what's the band's name? the secrecy is unnecessary and is rapidly making me lose interest.

what's the band's name? the secrecy is unnecessary and is rapidly making me lose interest.

"I didn't post the link because I genuinely wanted to hear peoples thoughts on which venues/promoters do a good job over here. Rather than have a discussion on the merits of the act itself."

I am sorry if I've made you lose interest. I'll PM you the band myspace but I'd prefer if we keep the thread along the lines of what I indicated above.

However, different promoters are good for different styles/genres, thus keeping the artist a secret is inhibiting any real form of progress really. There are massively different music scenes in Sheffield, so it's pretty silly to lump it all in as one homogeneous mass, and also fail to recognise that to get a gig you have to discuss with the venue/promoters that deal with your particular niche.

However, different promoters are good for different styles/genres, thus keeping the artist a secret is inhibiting any real form of progress really. There are massively different music scenes in Sheffield, so it's pretty silly to lump it all in as one homogeneous mass, and also fail to recognise that to get a gig you have to discuss with the venue/promoters that deal with your particular niche.

He has played on indie, metal, punk, post-rock, electonica and acoustic based gigs. We have a gig lined up at a university and one at a naval base. He has played outdoor festivals, house partys, college dormatories - everywhere. I think I can honestly say he could play anywhere and appeal to the audience in front of him. I will state though that acoustic nights are not what we are after though.

If any promoters or venues want to know more and discuss it fire me a PM over.

And apologies to those who are disappointed this thread is not simply a 'what dya think of this act' snoozefest.

There are other threads in this forum to amuse and please you I am sure.

fire me a PM over.

backhander, i really think you're going about this the wrong way. you're asking other people to make an effort for you "ie YOU make the effort to pm ME" whilst being all coy about the band in question. people are busy, people are lazy, people can't be bothered. i'm having a tea break and still trying to help you. most people will simply give up with you.

if you're going to seriously garner interest in a product/service/band then you are going to get people debating it and some people will slag it off and others will praise it. that's what happens when you get talked about.

what you're doing is the equivalent of walking round town with a plate of cakes and having the following conversation with a crowd.

you: "i just flew in from the US with these fantastic cakes. where can i sell them?"
member of public: "can we have a taste to see what they're like?"
you: "nope! however if you write to me i'll maybe let you have a taste later."

crowd drifts off having lost interest instead of jumping up and down talking about the cake they just tasted. geddit? :)


you will get the band talked about more if you post a link to the myspace, it's not rocket science.

We have already had one confirmed gig offer and five other individuals interested in the idea - plus we've actually had offers from elsewhere in Yorkshire. So not every one is as lazy as you think.

And I am not sure what your hangup is. I am not trying to promote the act on this thread - and I am not wanting the act 'talked about more' as you put it. So there is absolutly no need to post up the myspace link - its the exact opposite of what I want - I only want to discuss ideas directly with promoters/venues.

When a specific gig is confirmed and publicised then people can either jump up and down, slag the music off or drift on with indifference. That time is not now.

It's just that IMO, you started the thread with the title...

"Sheffield - 'the hardest to place to gig'"

Yet the whole thread seems to be relating to which venues you can get your band on at and who can help you do it? Seems like looking for gigs (i.e. promoting) rather than asking a question about Sheffield being the hardest place to gig, which, incidentally is ridiculous anyway! Sheffield's a city that has produced several charting bands in the last year, so at least one or two of them must have found it easy to here!

You really do live in La La Land...

Jeez - so you feel you can read the term 'hardest place to gig' and interpret it how YOU want to do and instruct ME to change the concept and point of a thread that I created.

Is everyone around here on drugs?

If not - maybe you should be.

Jeez... people need to chillax.

I can just add at this stage if there are any bands from Sheffield interested in playing out of the glorious home-land that 'Conspirator' obviously believes there is... then I can probably help. Some of you.

It's just that IMO, you started the thread with the title...

"Sheffield - 'the hardest to place to gig'"

Yet the whole thread seems to be relating to which venues you can get your band on at and who can help you do it? Seems like looking for gigs (i.e. promoting) rather than asking a question about Sheffield being the hardest place to gig, which, incidentally is ridiculous anyway! Sheffield's a city that has produced several charting bands in the last year, so at least one or two of them must have found it easy to here!


That is utter crap. Chart success has nothing to do with the current climate of a city. Do you think the Ting Tings or Lily Allen became famous because of where they were from? Were they ********...its about cash. I know a couple of local bands, good bands, not the sort of bands that play covers of 'layla' or 'pour some sugar on me' and they often go further afield to play as they dont get looked after round here that much. As Sheffield is so awash with bands, most of which, I might add are absolutely awful. Venues dont look after bands round here like they should. The best venues to play in, dont pay and often the ones that do, pay for trash that will entertain the 40+ crowd or often no-one at all.

Backhander: Cheers for the link, really like his stuff, I can see where you're going with the all genre angle. There's something about forums that brings out the worst in people and it seems to have happenned here. I'll give you a small piece of advice to counteract this bloodlust which seems to be going on. Sheffield is a cool place to be, but if you do get any gig offers make sure you check them out first with a couple of gig going locals, as you might end up with a turkey that stinks of urine and is located out of the way with football hooligan clientel. I speak from experience.

Peace out

we need less venues, better quality...i feel a jerry maguire moment coming on...

Amen to that brother!