Often times, club owners, bookers and so-called "promoters" try to sell you on the idea of "headlining" a show. In layman's terms, "headlining" means going on last. Now, if you are Bon Jovi or Lady Gaga or the buzz band du jour, of course you're headlining. Everyone is there to see you, no matter how late you go on. This isn't the case with being a local band slugging it out in bars and clubs.
- Most nights there's 3-4 bands (at cool places) and 5-6 bands (at shitty places).. that means if you're "headlining" you go on at 12:30-1am. By this time, most people have either left or are busy trying to seal the deal with some chick/dude before closing time.
- By laying the "headliner" title on you, the "promoter" (who does nothing to promote the show) expects you to draw a shit-ton of people. In our case, most of our fans and friends are in their 30's and 40's..they're not coming out to your club if they know we're going on at 1am.
- Most other bands play too long and take their sweet time setting up and breaking down before and after their sets (especially if they have props, effects or bad punk rock attitudes). This practice pushes the "headline" slot back even farther into the wee hours..
To me, the true "headline" slot is 2nd. There's one band ahead of you to break in the room and allow some time for people to get some drinks in their belly - yet still be awake enough to enjoy the show. My band and I are also still sober enough to rock your ass off - and then we can sit back, drink, relax and watch the other bands.. maybe even the "headliner".
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