How to book gigs or find someone to do so for you?

Danhedonia said:
I have plenty of experience; I also tour managed.

I just don't wade into conversations trying to extoll criminality with silly bravado. YMMV.
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Ah, but you must have been willing to walk out empty-handed, then. Otherwise, you accept the clubs criminality. So, when you got stiffed, what'd you do?
 
Oh, and by the way, I'm merely giving my opinion on what the OP asked about when you get stiffed. He asked for suggestions, I gave him one. You didn't have the same experiences I did, I totally get that. But, I have yet to hear anyone suggest how to successfully combat that. Y'know, besides my "silly bravado".
 
The same thing that other people do: walk out empty handed, and tell others. Or, in some cases, try to negotiate. I've had negative surprises end-of-night, but never thought that (at most) a couple hundred dollars was worth worse conflict.*

If you're getting paid more than several hundred bucks, you really ought not to be handling the money yourself.

There are lists. You can cross things off of them.

* - I will confess that I used to manage an artist who was, to put it plainly, a one man crime wave while on tour. I did not agree with his decisions, but certainly didn't drag him back to clubs to apologize.

But here's the lesson: this artist also had a great working relationship with a really good studio in our hometown. The guy who owned it and produced his sessions was someone he looked up to, and really appreciated. But when this person heard about the shenanigans, he decided he didn't any part of it and de facto banned him from the studio. Years later when we were all scattered and artist had new material and band (and had grown up quite a bit), I inquired w/the producer as to whether he might produce some early demo sessions.

First question out of his mouth: "Is he still living an 'interesting' lifestyle?"
 
To answer your second post, you don't combat that. It's like when you get pulled over and get a bullshit traffic ticket. You don't get out and start giving the officer a vituperative legal argument. You either pay it or go to court later.

In this case, you either just leave and never go back (and tell others, note recurring theme here), or you leave and follow up in the following days. I've seen bands go back and talk to more-senior club people (owner, GM) if they felt poorly treated. Or do it by phone. I've also seen a band say "we'd love to play your place, as soon as we get paid for last time."
 
I think the solution here is that Dan, in his new free time, is going to start a booking agency for Weiner bands, and dispatch his network in local cities to deal with the pay like professionals.
 
This business is and always has been about who you know. Generally, performing bands network more and more as they grow. It can't be understated that making and maintaining strong relationships with venue owners, promoters, booking agents, and even other bands is the most important thing if you want to get the best gigs.

If you don't know the right people, find someone who does. Build a relationship with them. Chances are, one or more of your bandmates has some connections.

That said, there's a nearly equal chance that one or more of your bandmates has pissed off the wrong person or people. Talk to your bandmates, do your homework when it comes to this point. Having such a band member isn't a dealbreaker at all, but best to keep them out of gig talks.

Which leads to this: put your band's best foot forward. You may be the band founder and leader, but you may not be the best person to take on the nuances and politics of gig booking. Delegate this job to the best fit. If your whole band is made up of socially awkward types... hire an agent.

Just keep building those relationships!

Earlier today I got an email from an old friend who had some fairly substantial success in the 80s. He's putting together a monster series of concerts for fire victims that will take place over several weeks in early 2019. He want's "The Obscure80's" to play a big role. It could be a massive marketing coup for me, and I only have that opportunity because I keep in touch with the right people.

Make a habit out doing just that.
 
Every band I have been in has one person who deals with the Clubs. We all bird dog gigs,but IMO its best to have one person do the talking.
I have been the band leader,the booker, and I'm very very happy those days are behind me. In my current band the bassist does the booking,and we all send him any leads we have

I DESPISE booking, it's the worst part of being in a band
 
Danhedonia said:
I worked at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. In NY I also knew people who worked at the Knitting Factory, Mercury Lounge, and Brownie's (RIP). Any cheating, screwing over, etc., is a business conversation.

You don't turn your dissatisfaction with a business conversation into petty criminality. There's no conversation to be had here, it's just a dumb thing to say. We all have bad moments, I'm going to say that post was perhaps yours.

If you feel like you've been defrauded by a promoter, please feel free to PM me and I am happy to do what little I can to help that not happen in the future.
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Do you still know anyone at the Middle East?
 
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