• One golden rule - DON'T GIG TOO OFTEN. All venues require that you have a crowd. If you are playing twice a week, or even twice a fortnight all that will happen is you'll have a low turnout for each gig. This means you will never be able to progress to the next level, and probably won't get any re-bookings at venues. You'll burn out before you've even started. We understand the temptation of playing as much as possible, but remember that infrequent but busy gigs are much better for you and your ambitions than lots of quiet, soul-destroying gigs all over the place
• Don't do a "Tour Of London"
• ALWAYS tell people you're playing earlier than you actually are
• Never cancel a gig unless it is absolutely unavoidable. "We've lost our drummer" may sound like a good enough excuse but it's not. Don't sack a member when you have a gig booked. Don't leave a band when you have a gig booked. Fulfil your commitments first
• Be organized. The stereotypical carefree, subversive rock'n'roll lifestyle is best saved for your future tabloid persona. In real life, you'll find the most successful bands are organised and professional. Major tours run with military precision. This means not being late, don't forget people's names, and most importantly READ YOUR CONTRACTS. Don't call up on the afternoon of the gig asking "what time are we on?"
• Be polite and professional to those you come across at gigs. This includes venue staff and other bands. There's an old saying in live music "Be nice to people on the way up, you never know when you'll see them again on the way down". Save the attitude for the stage
• Time your sets in rehearsal. Set timings are strict at venues, and you won't be able to play longer than the timings you're given in your contract
• Don't banter too much on stage between songs. You might mean well, but it can look amateurish. Don't tell a three minute anecdote explaining the following three minute song. If you have to explain a song in depth, what's the point in playing it?
• Have a back-up guitar if you can. Stopping a set half way through to change a string is disastrous
• Be prepared for the long haul. Over-night success is pure fiction
• Have fun. Enjoy it
  

Finally, if you have read this far then you have the right attitude. You'd be surprised at the amount of Emails we get saying "I've been looking at your website, how do I get to play at your venue?" Thank you for paying attention, and good luck.