LOCAL BANDS 101
We get a lot of questions here at Fusion Shows from local bands, not understanding various aspects of what we do. We have always tried our best to educate the bands we work with about everything that we do, from why we book who we do to why we pay out what we do. It's important to us that you guys all understand your roles in creating such a vibrant live music scene here in Michigan!

So on this page, I've decided to create an outline of everything that you would ever need to know to be a local band playing shows with us at Fusion Shows. I hope I cover everything. Enjoy your reading! Let's do this in an outline format, to keep everything organized and flowing.

I. WHAT DOES FUSION SHOWS DEFINE AS A "LOCAL BAND"?
There's a fine line to walk when it comes to labeling a local band versus a touring band. La Dispute is a touring band, but also a local band. They're from Michigan, but they tour. Same with Fireworks, The Swellers, Your Best Friend, And Hell Followed With, and many of the others. Here's our definition of what we consider a local band, at least on our shows.

Local Band - A Michigan-based band that is performing, but not headlining, at an upcoming Fusion event, or wishes to do so.

There are three types of opportunities available for local bands with Fusion Shows:

A. Opening for a national touring act
First of all, it makes sense to understand how these shows happen. A booking agent who we work with proposes a date or a set of dates at a venue that they generally choose. I (Nate) negotiate a payment setup, which generally budgets for all financial costs of a show (including up to $100 per local support act), confirm, and then work with the agent to book approved support acts. Sometimes, locals aren't allowed on the bill. When they are, I choose locals that make sense based on draw and musical genre, and then submit them to the agent, who makes the final call.

When you play with a national act, it is important to understand that while your set is obviously of importance, the show is not about you. You have been added to the show in the hopes that your crowd will come out to see you, and stick around to see the touring bands, who hopefully also drew a crowd. With these shows, payment is limited (up to $100 per local band, but no payment if the show loses money) and ticket selling is usually required (see below).

B. Playing on an all-locals bill
These shows are different in that there's much more of a community feeling amongst the bands on the show. Bands work together, hopefully, to draw a crowd. There isn't usually a true headliner, and any payment given to bands is generally split based on draw, length of drive, and professionalism. Ticket sales are not required.

C. Headlining your own show
If you've progressed to the point where you've got a really solid live show and a growing fanbase, we should talk about booking a headlining show for yourself. This is the one place that as a local band, you can make some great money. Fusion Shows has paid local bands thousands of dollars for tour kickoffs, CD release parties, and other headlining events in the past few years. If you're a band that has a reason to headline a show, we split the profits with you, heavily weighted in your favor, after all expenses have been paid. If you're a trusted local, you may even get to pick (and pay) your own support lineup, allowing you to truly reach your targeted audience and have full control. If you have an idea for a show, always feel free to pitch it to me, understanding of course that Fusion Shows has the final say on whether we'll do the show or not!



II. WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES I NEED TO FOLLOW FOR WORKING WITH FUSION SHOWS?
As with everything you do in life, unless you're the boss, there are rules. Here's the ones we ask that all local bands working with us follow, in order to make sure that each event we do together is a success for all parties! We believe that following these simple guidelines will allow us to have a great relationship together going forward!

A. The Fusion Shows radius clause
One of the biggest mistakes that bands make these days are playing too much in a certain area! No matter how you fight it, venues and promoters have to monetize music to make it feasible to invest money to put on events! And if you play Lansing or Howell every weekend, and you don't blow minds, your fanbase will grow tired of you. So here's the "clause", if you will.

ALL BANDS WISHING TO PLAY FUSION SHOWS EVENTS MUST KEEP THEIR AREA (50 MILE RADIUS) SCHEDULE CLEAR FOR ONE MONTH BEFORE AND AFTER PLAYING A FUSION EVENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY FUSION SHOWS.

Here's what that means, in layman's terms. If you're playing a show June 15 at Mac's Bar with us, and you're offered a not-very-exciting gig at another Lansing-area venue on June 27, don't take it! Your crowd will split between the two, making each show worse for you, and for everyone else involved! However, say a promoter calls and offers you an opening slot for Metallica on June 27, and it's always been your dream to open for Metallica! Before you accept the slot (which you'd be dumb not to), please email me, and we'll come up with a strategy. Maybe we'll offer a free pair of Metallica tickets as a raffle prize for anyone that comes to our show a few weeks before! We'll buy those tickets, build them into our advertising budget, and suddenly, Mac's Bar is packed full of people excited to see your band and maybe get a chance to see Metallica for free!

B. Fusion Shows promotional expectations
So if Fusion Shows does book our band, what are we expected to do? ISN'T THAT YOUR JOB AS A PROMOTER TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE SHOW? This cracks me up when I see this, bands who believe that it's the job of the club or promoter to pack the bar for their musical assault! It's absolutely the job of the promoter to "promote". But it's a team effort! Here's what we provide, and what we think that you should be willing to do!

FUSION SHOWS PROMOTIONAL PLAN FOR EVERY SHOW:
Listing on website, MySpace, Facebook group. Flyer design. Bulletins on MySpace. Facebook event invitations sent to our entire group. Flyers handed out at all Fusion events, and tons of others as well. Color and black-and-white posters hung up at retail establishments throughout Michigan. Mailing list. Ticket giveaways. Word-of-mouth. Twitter. Facebook statuses of all Fusion staff. High school newspaper advertisements.

BAND EXPECTATIONS FOR EACH SHOW:
1. Listing on all internet sites with proper information. Don't be lazy. List addresses, FusionShows.com as the place to get more info, times, prices. HTML the flyer into your profile, make it your profile photo.
2. Be willing to hand out flyers at area events, and make sure you follow through! If you're in school, pass out flyers at school. Put em in bathrooms, on lunch tables, anywhere that they'd be noticed.
3. Word of mouth. Call all of your friends.
4. Invite all of your friends to our Facebook event.
5. Post bulletins on MySpace relentlessly!
6. Sell tickets if you need to.

THE KEY IS TO BE CREATIVE, START EARLY, AND PEAK AT THE RIGHT TIME! DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO IT ALL IN ONE WEEK! THIS IS JUST THE MINIMUM OF WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING!



III. WHAT IS FUSION SHOWS' PAYMENT POLICY FOR LOCAL BANDS?
This one's tough to blanket in one statement, so again, we'll divide it up into three categories: national shows, local shows, and headline shows.

A. Fusion Shows payment policy for local bands when opening for nationals
For each event that features local openers, there is a budget established with the agent for local support. This number is usually $100 per band. For the band to receive that $100, the show must have reached the split point for the evening. The "split point" is a booking term that defines the point at which enough money has come through the door to begin paying the headliner for the evening what is called "backend", the bonus that comes after all expenses have been paid. Expenses include rent, sound and lights, security, staffing, catering for touring acts, guarantees, advertising, and more.

ex. The Rolling Stones strike a deal with Fusion Shows to play Mac's Bar. The deal says that the Rolling Stones will receive $1000 guaranteed, plus 85% (industry standard) of all backend after the guarantee, $1000 in expenses, and 15% promoter profit (another term that basically means 15% of expenses plus guarantees, which in this case is $1000+$1000x15% = $300). The split point is then $2300. Tickets are $20 each. Island View Drive is chosen to open. In that $1000 in expenses is up to $100 budgeted to pay Island View Drive. If the show only does 80 paid, that means $1600 came through the door. Fusion Shows is losing money, because they still pay the $1000 guarantee, plus most of the $1000 in expenses. One of the first things to be cut is the local support money (as well as Fusion Shows promoter profit, which goes next). However, if the show sells out Mac's Bar at 200 paid, then there's $4000 to deal with. The Rolling Stones are paid their $1000 guarantee, plus 85% of backend (which in this case is $4000 gross - $2300 guarantee+expenses+promoter profit = $1700), which amounts to an additional $1445. Fusion Shows makes their $300 promoter profit, plus an additional $255 (15% of backend). Island View Drive receives their $100 (and maybe a little tip from Fusion Shows if they drew super well or were extremely well received).

B. Fusion Shows payment policy for "locals only" shows
In the case that a show is booked for locals and independent regional and touring acts, Fusion Shows will simply cover their expenses, and then split fairly what is left amongst all bands playing. This will always be a source of some contention, due to the fact that often we pay more gas money to a band that drove from 3 hours away but didn't draw than to a band from 10 minutes down the road that was paid very little but drew a ton of kids. That's just the way it is. We like to be able to encourage bands to be able to travel to new markets, and to receive $12 in gas money for a 6 hour round trip doesn't pay the bills! You'll appreciate promoters who do this when you get on the road!

C. Fusion Shows payment policy for local headliner shows
You will receive the same treatment, basically, as any national headlining act receiving a "door deal". We will negotiate a deal where you receive a percentage of all door receipts after basic expenses are covered. Advertising and staffing budgets are often cut for these shows, to allow the band to spend some of their own money so that they can make money. Often, headliners are allowed to book their own support acts, and make their own deals with them regarding payment. If the show bombs, it's possible that no bands will be paid, but if it does exceedingly well, bands can walk with hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The cool thing about these shows is that for your headlining band, there is no doubt how much money you will make if fans show up. It's a mathematical formula, just like national acts have.



IV. WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS TICKET-SELLING BUSINESS?
Fusion Shows had an internal debate a few years ago, regarding ticket selling. Irving, former owner of Lansing-area promoter Northlawn Music, had grown up with promoters who forced all local bands to sell tickets to be on shows. Nate, former owner of Blue Collar Booking and Livingston Underground, came up strictly without ticket sales. A new policy was agreed upon where Fusion Shows would encourage selling tickets, but lose the corporate B.S. that comes from working with Live Nation, Detroit Concerts, and other promoters. Fusion Shows believes that a person who has invested their money in a presale ticket deserves, first of all, to have paid less money for it. This is why we have fee-free ticketing. But more importantly, from a marketing standpoint, since this person has committed their money to this event, they will act as a great marketer for the event, telling their friends and encouraging people to go with them. Local bands selling tickets to your fanbase will only increase your draw.

A. So is ticket selling actually REQUIRED?
No, you do not have to sell tickets to play an event with Fusion Shows. Some national agents do require that all locals added must sell tickets. So you may be excluded, but if you're not a good ticket-selling band, there is still a place for you here!

B. Do we have to buy tickets up front, sign contracts, or otherwise will our lives away to Fusion Shows?
No. We have never, and will never, require minimum sales, ticket purchases, or for you to sign contracts. We believe that you believe in your band enough to try to sell every venue out that you play. Ticket sales are just a small part of that!

C. We want to sell tickets to our upcoming local show! Can we?
Yes, if you would like to sell tickets to an event that isn't otherwise ticketed, we will be more than happy to print some for you to sell to your friends, to get that early investment we discussed earlier!

TICKET SELLING RULES AND GUIDELINES:
1. All money gathered and unsold tickets must be returned one hour before doors open on the day of the show.
2. No tickets are to be sold outside of the venue on the day of the show. The industry standard is to raise prices $2.00 on the day of the show, so if your friends wait until last minute, they must be charged accordingly. If you'd like to purchase tickets for your friends, and then get money from them as they arrive at the show, this is OK.
3. You may NOT sell tickets for more than face value, and keep the extra money. If it is found that you are doing this, you will be removed from the show.
4. Unless agreed upon in a special pre-show written agreement, you will not be paid a per-ticket amount for selling tickets. However, if tickets are lost, ticket moneys will be recovered from any potential payment your band is to receive.

V. WHAT DO I MAKE SURE MY BAND DOES AT THE SHOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL?
OK, it's gig time. What do I want my band members to know to stay on the good side of Fusion Shows, of touring bands, venue owners, and of fans in general?

A. Be on time!
it's of vital importance in nearly all venues to be punctual! If we give you a load-in time of 430pm, be there at 4pm, and stretched, organized, and ready to load-in at 430pm. If your set is at 630pm, find the stage manager or sound guy and ask him what you need to do to be ready to strike your first chord at 630pm. Have gear working properly, drums built, guitars tuned, and whatever else you need to do. Even 3 minutes late makes a huge difference!

B. Backlining and gear storage, loading in and out.
This is something that we do at nearly every show. We "backline". What that means is taking all guitar and bass amps and lining them up in reverse order of performance. The headliner will start the backline, putting their gear up against the back wall. All bands will follow, not worrying about plugging amps in or getting them 100% where they want them. It just makes setup so much easier. Drums, guitars, keyboards, lighting, and other equipment will be stored someplace else, until gig time. When loading in, bring your gear in quickly and pile it in one small pile where the stage manager asks you to. Some venues will require you to load directly out of the venue after your set, so leave all "deads" (road cases, covers, drum cases, guitar cases) in your vehicle.

C. Fusion Shows guestlist policy
A guestlist is something that a local band generally does not need. If you require one person to help you sell merchandise, this is permitted if you email us the name 24 hours before the show. Family and girlfriends/boyfriends must be willing to support your band and pay for a ticket. If you're married, email me, we might be able to work something out. Any other guests, including industry personnel, managers, techs, etc. must be advanced with Fusion Shows by email. Do not ever promise guestlist spots until you have been approved.

VI. What does Fusion Shows think about the current state of the music industry as it applies to local bands?
It's very difficult to attract attention in this fickle and overplayed business. There are too many bands out there competing for the affection of a group of music fans whose discretionary income is disappearing rather quickly with the current economy issues. We believe that it's easy to play the game, get "on tour", and use MySpace to build a flimsy fanbase with high play counts and friend numbers. It's the bands that are consistently creating art that is pushing boundaries, entertaining folks, and coming straight from the heart that are going to have a musical pulse 2 years from now.

A local band should be focused on writing good music, playing fun shows, and building a rabid local fanbase. You're probably not going to be ready to tour until you're consistently selling out venues at home. Try to branch out regionally and play other markets, but focus on building yourself here. The viral buzz that will come from your packed, sing-along performances at home will help immensely when the time comes to branch out. If you're not packing out your hometown shows, what makes you think you'll be successful elsewhere? There's something to be said for wanting to tour for the experience. It's like vacation with your best friends, but you can get paid for it too! But don't expect to get on the road, find raging success, and get signed by your favorite label. It rarely happens like that. Pace yourself, and don't try to compete (or emulate, for that matter) the MySpace sensations of the world. Just do your thing, do it well, and if it's good, people will take notice. If it's not good, they won't. If you're not "blowing up", don't point the finger everywhere else! Look at what you're doing, and improve.

As for specific business decisions, you should be focused on that headlining show above. That's your end goal, as a local band, at least right now. Open for nationals and play local shows to build a fanbase. Then book that headliner, and stop at nothing to sell it out! Use that money to create super cool merchandise (be creative, everyone has burned CDs and crappy T-shirts). Then repeat. Make it so that you can do headliners in 2 or 3 separate markets, and that can fund your other endeavors. The eventual goal is to be of headliner quality across the country, but that'll take professional help!

VII. Frequently Asked Questions
OUR BAND ALREADY WORKS WITH FUSION SHOWS IN MY HOMETOWN. HOW CAN I GET YOU TO BOOK US ON A SHOW OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME AREA?
Chances are, your fanbase won't travel to see you, unless they haven't seen you in forever. So if you're a Howell band, wanting to play Lansing, start coming to Lansing shows and meeting people. Meet other bands, their fans, or just random people at shows. Bring demos, hand them out, start to establish a name for yourself in the area. Then when the show comes that you want to play, tell me about the above things you've done to get your name out there. Howell kids probably aren't going to come to Lansing very often, unless it's a band they really want to see! Show the initiative, and I won't be able to deny the response you'll be getting.

WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO WHEN ANOTHER PROMOTER OFFERS US A SHOW?
This is a crowded business. In each market, there's multiple promoters that want you to draw people to their events. We're no different. We believe we're better than most out there, but what happens when you get a show offer from Lakehouse Records at the Opera House, the in-house buyer at Mac's or the Small Planet, or from another promoter? I think you simply weigh your options, and feel free to discuss with us here at Fusion what your options are. If it's going to limit your ability to get a better show with us or someone else, don't do it! If it breaks a radius clause, don't do it. If another promoter doesn't have a radius clause, you should still act as if they do! While we want our company to be successful, we also want your band to be successful. Just ask the questions that are listed above, and make sure those other promoters have good answers for you, before accepting a show. Playing a bad show can set you way, way back in your plans for your band. And you don't have to accept every show offered to you, by us or by any other promoter.

WHY SHOULD I WORK WITH A PROMOTER AND NOT JUST BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE IN-HOUSE BOOKERS AT THE VENUE?
As if this outline isn't enough to prove it, we put serious thought and effort into every show we do. Most venues are just looking to fill their calendar, and won't put any resources or money into their events. While promoters do take an often significant cut of the door, the increased exposure and marketing should more than make up for it! What makes more sense, to get paid $500 to play for 50 people, or get paid $450 to play for 200 people?

WOULD YOU RATHER ME TELL YOU THE THINGS I THINK YOU WANT TO HEAR, OR BE HONEST? ARE YOU GOING TO STOP READING MY EMAILS IF I TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT INCONVENIENCES YOU?
Bands always make me laugh when they apologize so much when they tell me a month before their upcoming show that their little sister is graduating on that day, and that they'd prefer to reschedule to another show. They think I'll be mad. Folks, you have families, jobs, and lives. That obviously takes priority over what we're doing. What I'll always ask is that you tell me ASAP, so I have time to react. If you're having a hard time selling tickets, tell me, and we'll discuss a plan to reach your fans. If you don't think fans are excited about a show, let's figure out a way to get them there. If you're worried about something, let's talk. If we work together and alleviate problems as they arise, we'll all come out ahead!