Getting Back Into It as a Solo Artiste

deano

It's many, many years since I last played live, and that was with a band (it was 1999 actually). Then me and the wife had kids, work got busy, started my own business etc. Basically life got in the way of the fun stuff.

Anyway, now my kids are adults, and I find myself with more free time and a desire to (a) sing and play the stuff I like, and (b) make a bit of money out of it if possible (but as long as I break even, even that is not a dealbreaker).

I find myself playing and listening to more of the older 50s and 60s rock and roll stuff, and just looking at a few agency web sites shows that there are a few people who do that sort of thing.

I don't want to get into a band situation again (at least not initially), but am leaning toward being a solo performer. Basically me, my guitar, and backing tracks singing and playing "that old-time rock and roll" as Bob Segar put it, in pubs, clubs and so on.

Now, I don't drink anymore (I got really good at it and really bad at it at the same time), which is another reason for me to remain solo (less pressure to drink with the band after rehearsals and gigs). Because I don't drink, I don't frequent pubs and clubs, so don't know if that kind of music is viable in those places anymore.

I don't want this to be a full time career, just a bit of fun for me and the missus, a chance to get out of the rut we find ourselves in, to give people an enjoyable evening out, and just have a laugh. If I earn something from it, then great.

Where would you go to get into something like this these days. Back in the day (pre-internet) we used booking agents and all of the ones we used are long gone. I'm based in the north-midlands (Chesterfield) and can get anywhere in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, Staffordshire etc within reason, given I'm close to the M1, and main roads over the Peak District.

Any advice or guidance would be welcome. I'm happy with my gear but it's more the viability of the music I want to perform, and actually how top make it happen these days that I'm looking for advice on.

Thanks.

ESBlonde

Perhaps doa couple of open mic sessions to test it out, you might pick up a booking from the pub holding the event!

EricTheWeary

There are agencies around still. From speaking to a few local agencies when I was last gigging a few years ago they like solo acts. Also just trying to work out which pubs and clubs put anything on in your area and approaching them. 

Potentially as a solo act doing 50s and 60s music try large care homes. The home my father in law was in had something like that once a month. Paid gig and home in time for tea. 

The hardest working act I know is a ska duo ( vocs and guitar plus backing tracks) who also expand to include a sax player and a percussionist at times. They play almost anything such as slots on local festivals, working men’s clubs type places, the odd charity event. They certainly used to get bookings through an agency that specialised in tribute acts as we had a couple from the same. Two gigs a week every week, I think he must be about 70 and they aren’t brilliant. But they put themselves out there.