Do you get busy on a Tues/Wed/Thu/etc/ night?
How busy the venue is depends on the bands. Yes, there is "passing trade" at the Halfmoon, but if the venue is empty customers will take one look and think "let's not bother". If it is busy, this is what encourages the passing trade in. We've learned this from over 40 years of experience - the more people you bring, the more passing trade customers you will play to. And that's mailing list fodder!

We just want a support slot for a bigger band, is this possible?
Bands that have proved themselves down here first get rewarded with these prize slots. This means bands that are good musically, have been professional to work with and have had good audience turnout

Can we have a weekend slot, we can bring more people?
Similarly, weekend slots go to bands that can bring a good turnout on a weekday first

Do we get paid?
You are paid on the amount of people that come specifically to see your band. The more people you bring, the more the percentage of your cut increases. The deal here is very fair, with bands who make the most effort getting rewarded with a substantial percentage of the door

Do we get a Rider?
Like a bowl of Smarties with all the blue ones taken out? There's a Sainsbury's next door!

Do we get a guest list?
Do not cause embarrassment by assuming you have a guest list and telling people they are on it. Enquire first, and not at 8:30 on the night of the gig

Do you provide us with flyers?
We don't have flyers printed and sent to you, but we do recommend that you produce flyers too if you can, as this is one of the best ways to promote your band and get people to your gigs. If you tell someone about a gig, they'll probably forget. If they have a flyer, they'll stick it to their fridge door or whatever and are more likely to come

How do I make flyers?
You don't need to spend a fortune. Photocopying is fine if that's all you can afford. Don't forget to include the following info:

• Band name
• Date of gig
• Venue address, nearest tube/ train
• Door opening time, NOT your on-stage time. We can't stress this point enough. Everyone will be at least 15 minutes later than the time you give
• Price
• A brief, one sentence statement of what your music is like. Don't be sarcastic, don't be pretentious, just give that potential punter a reason for coming
  

Do A&R hang out at the Halfmoon?
We are in constant contact with independent and major labels, professional management companies, publishers and other industry personnel. Typically, A&R scouts do not "hang out" at venues waiting for that next big thing. That's an urban myth. However if there is a buzz about a band, or if us and others on the circuit have recommended a band to A&R, or if A&R have received - and like - your demo they will show up. By the way, they don't like coming out on weekends unless you're REALLY special

Do you put on "Industry Showcases"?
We do not put on "Industry Showcases". These events are frequently held in London by promoters who offer the chance of playing to a large industry "guest list". However, there is no guarantee that these guests will turn up. Often these nights are pay-to-play, deposit payable, or the promoters simply keep the full door takings regardless of how many punters you pull. We are not suggesting for a second that ALL of these events are untrustworthy. We just know from our own experience that industry WILL come and see you at the Halfmoon or any venue if they like your demo, they don't have to wait for a special showcase evening. Our message here is simple: "caution"

Why do you have tribute bands?
We are fully aware of "tribute snobbery", although this never seems to be applied to The Forum or Shepherds Bush Empire when Bjorn Again tour. We put on events that there is public demand for. Tributes are consistently busy, and punters love them. In fact, we would not have been able to afford the high quality audio equipment we have were it not for tributes, and unsigned bands obviously benefit from this. Some people say that unsigned band nights would be busier if we didn't have tributes. This is completely absurd. For example people who like West End Musicals hardly rush out to buy tickets for the latest fringe Berkoff play. But, in some cases unsigned band nights have benefited because tributes bring in so many people who are looking at posters, taking newsletters etc. Lastly, tributes are just a bit of fun - don't take them too seriously

Do you host a "Battle of the Bands"?
We do not put on "Battle Of The Band" nights. As all B.O.T.B.'s are judged on audience votes, these events require participating bands to pack out the venue. The promoters usually keep the door money, you have the chance of maybe winning some free time at an undisclosed studio, if you win. Think about it- if you pack out the Halfmoon (or any other good London venue), the door money you will earn will pay for studio time at a studio that you choose

Do you provide back-line and drum kit?
No, bands must bring their own guitar amps and drum kit. However, we strongly advise sharing drum kit, as this makes change-over inevitably easier for everyone. There is no standard policy on who should be the one to provide the kit, although using your own snare and cymbals is the done thing. When the gig is booked ask us for the numbers of the other bands so you can discuss sharing. Don't leave it until the day before the gig

Can you record the gig?
We can record straight from the desk to Mini Disk. You can supply your own disk or you can purchase one from the sound engineer

Do you put on gigs elsewhere?
No. The team at the Halfmoon is full-time, in-house

Where can I find out more about gigging in general?
We highly recommend you read the 'How To' pages on the Radio 1 Unsigned website

Also read our Tips