How to Get Local Gigs When You’re Just Starting Out

Use your EPKit.ai link to book smaller gigs in the beginning.

How to Get Local Gigs When You’re Just Starting Out

If you’ve never booked a show before, the local scene can feel like a locked door. The good news is, local bookers and venues are always on the lookout for artists who bring energy, professionalism, and people. The key is to show them who you are and why you’re worth a shot.

Here’s where to start:

1. Build your first EPK

Your press kit is your handshake. It tells the venue what you sound like, how you present yourself, and what kind of show you put on. Don’t overthink it, your EPKit makes it easy to pull everything together, even if you’re new.

2. Identify smaller, music-friendly venues

Start with local bars, open mic nights, DIY spaces, cafes, and independent music venues. Get to know the vibes of different spots. Go to shows. Talk to people. Follow the venues on social and watch who they book.

3. Be respectful and clear in your pitch

Don’t send a DM that says “yo let me play.” Instead, write a short, polite email introducing yourself and linking your EPK. Mention why you’re a good fit and any local draw you might bring.

4. Offer to open

Opening for another artist is one of the best ways to start playing real venues. It shows humility, gets you in the door, and puts you in front of someone else’s audience. Any time you play is an opportunity to pique interest and build a relationship with a fan, a fellow musician, or someone looking for a musician for an upcoming event.

5. Don’t get discouraged

Not every message will get a response. That’s normal. Keep showing up. Play house shows, backyard gigs, or wherever you can find space. The more you play, the more chances you’ll get to be seen. Playing creates momentum and momentum moves everything forward!

6. Make it easy to say yes

Venues are more likely to book you if they know what to expect. That’s why having a clean, well-organized EPK with photos, music, and video makes such a difference. If you look professional, you’ll be treated like a professional.

If you haven’t yet, check out The Artist Brand Checklist for the basics on presenting yourself online.

And stay tuned for next week’s post: Playing the Long Game: Building Relationships With Venues — because one gig is great, but getting invited back is even better.

Full Transparency: How We Create Content for Our Blog

 At EPKit, we use AI tools (like OpenAI’s ChatGPT) to help us research, brainstorm, or create draft blog posts. All content is reviewed, fact checked, and edited by a human author before publishing. We believe in using modern tools to facilitate goals without compromising integrity and artistry.