Proof that music really can happen ANYWHERE! This is what happened in my first ever Nottingham Sofar Session in December - WHAT. A. VIBE!
How promoters kill live music (and why we let it happen)
A good example of an awesome 'exposure' gig - supporting Alphabet Backwards in Oxford last month!
Exposure. It rings in my ear like a curse word. Often preceded by the immortal phrase "It's unpaid but..." -Nothing is more of a turn-off during fixture booking foreplay than this overused chat-up line.
Of course decent exposure is a great reason to do an unpaid gig, (or if it's for a charitable cause). But too often artists must deal with promoters who throw this word out in a premature explosion of guilt. Usually because they're secretly planning to take money off people at the door with no intention of compensating the artist those people paid to see in any way; through cash or exposure. It's a con.
They insist the artist invite their existing fanbase without inviting anyone for themselves; as a result filling the room solely with people who already know that artist exist. Resulting in zero exposure for the artist, but maximum exploitation of the art. They fob the disenfranchised artist off with drinks and finger sandwiches like owners of some Dickens-esque musical soup kitchen; as if giving us actual money would just be an ill-advised hand out that would only go toward fuelling some drug habit ...
The artist does 100% of the promotion and the promoter keeps 100% of the money. You'd think we'd put our guitars down and never gig again.
The cruelty is that the artist WANTS to perform; profitable or not. The fan wants to hear the music and there are promoters out there that wish to exploit this relationship solely for their own gain.
Embarking on a music career is like setting off down an alley with a bad reputation. Many can walk it, and get through just fine because actually most promoters are wonderful; those I have worked with really are awesome. Thank goodness. But those select few still exist; so we all have to keep an eye out for those new artists out there. They are the most vulnerable to the predators that gave this path such a bad rep.
So check on the door when you buy your next ticket that they're cutting their acts in in some way and keep supporting fairtrade live music! ;)
Big love!
Rob x
This Wednesday I'm doing a gig for YOU right in your own house... Click here to find out how
I'm playing a set LIVE in YOUR house
That's right! Through the magic of technology; This WEDNESDAY I'm going to be playing a live interactive acoustic set right in your living room, kitchen, bedroom... anywhere where you get a decent wifi signal really!
Periscope, a FREE new app, allows users to watch and stream live video/audio footage over 3G or Wifi to anyone who follows them on Twitter! Users can interact with the streamer by typing questions, comments which can be viewed live by the person streaming making for truly interactive viewing.
I will be answering questions and performing an intimate acoustic set on Periscope THIS COMING WEDNESDAY at 8:30pm (British Time)!
To watch all you have to do is download Periscope off the app store (its FREE!) and login with twitter; if you are following me on Twitter (if you aren't; you should be! @robgreenmusic) it will let you follow me straight away!
I will be answering questions about, well... anything really, so tweet them in ahead of time using #Robiscope to have them answered live in the stream!
See you Wednesday!
Rob x
Rob Green announced as Musical Director for hit comedy musical!
Rob has been secretly working with the incredible "Sheep Soup" theatre company as their new Musical Director for their hit comedy musical Mrs Green.
"I was so excited to be asked to MD this show, I've been a fan of Nic Harvey's writing, both musically and dramatically for YEARS."
"I first saw the show when it debuted at The Corner in Nottingham and have followed its progress ever since, from its domination at the Edinburgh fringe to its triumphant return to Nottingham at the Playhouse!"
The musical centres around fictional retired singer/songwriter Mabel Green. Since she developed arthritis MG has been growing a 'green' solution to her ailments in her living room. Facing eviction for cultivating more than just a community spirit in her Basford council flat; the play unfolds on the day of her final jam with her close friends, to take tuneful look at her history. Little does she know history is looking for her too...
Rob has been developing the music with the cast over the past few weeks under instruction of nationally acclaimed Director; Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie.
The show runs over two dates exclusively for the Leicester Curve next Friday evening (24th) and Saturday matinee (25th).
Rob Green Team x