The Real Reason Local Live Music Nights Fall Flat

Love Valley Band - Brevard County, FL

Why Live Music Venues Struggle to Fill the Room

I like to go out on the weekends and listen to live local bands at dive bars. Hell, one of the places even proudly calls itself a “Five Star Dive Bar.”

After being pretty much isolated all week, staring at a computer, I enjoy the social part of it. I’ve made friends, enjoy the music, and the people watching alone can be a trip.

My biggest pet peeve?

Most bands — and the venues themselves don’t post their music schedules until the last minute.

It’s become a running joke with my wife. At 6 o’clock on a Friday she’ll ask, “Where are you going tonight?” My answer: “Too early to tell. Nobody’s posted yet.”

What blows my mind is that most of these bands and venues don’t have websites and rely entirely on social media… yet barely use it even though it costs them nothing.

That’s especially hard to understand when many of these places are already struggling. Alcohol consumption is down. Social habits have changed. Smaller crowds make it harder to pay bands, which makes it harder to attract good music.

And living in a tourist area where people are actively looking for something to do the lack of promotion makes even less sense.

Friends in other regions tell me it’s the same story there. Small crowds. Little to no promotion.

If you’ve followed me at all, you already know where I stand.

Both bands and venues should have a website and a customer list with weekly schedules.
But at the very least?

Be consistent.
Post early.
Be active.

Because if people don’t know you’re playing… they can’t show up.