How to Pitch Yourself to Venues and Festivals and Get More Live Gigs

If you want more live shows, you need to present yourself clearly and professionally. This guide shows you how to craft a pitch that makes venues and festivals want to book you.

Understand What Bookers Are Looking For

‍Bookers receive many requests every week from artists hoping to get on stage. Their job is to find acts that fit their audience, their programming and their budget. Your pitch must help them understand who you are, what you offer, and why you are the right fit for their venue or event.

Create a Strong Introduction of Yourself

‍Your introduction should be short, clear and meaningful. Start with one sentence that captures your musical identity. Then highlight the experiences that make you relevant: previous concerts, releases or notable performances. Keep it concise and focused on the things that show your professionalism.

Make It Easy to Hear and See You

‍A strong pitch always includes links to live videos, press photos and your music. Bookers want to quickly understand your sound and your stage presence. Use links to YouTube, Spotify or your EPK, and ensure your material is up to date. A good live video often carries more weight than a studio recording because it shows how you perform in front of an audience.

Tailor Your Pitch to the Venue or Festival

‍A generic email will rarely work. Bookers appreciate when artists show that they understand the venue’s identity and audience. Explain why you are a good fit for their stage. The more specific and personalised your pitch is, the stronger your chances are.

Keep Your Communication Short and Professional

‍Your pitch email should be easy to read in seconds. Write clearly and politely with only the most important information upfront. Everything else can be in your EPK or links. Make sure the booker can easily find your availability, technical needs and price range.

Show That You Are Easy to Work With

‍Bookers value artists who are reliable, organised and collaborative. If you can show that you deliver on time, communicate well and make things easy behind the scenes, you greatly increase your chances of being booked. It is not only your music they are booking. It is also you as a collaborator.

A great pitch is clear, concise and tailored. Show the booker who you are, why you fit their venue, and make it simple for them to say yes. With a strong introduction, professional materials and a friendly attitude, you will improve your chances of securing more gigs and growing your live career.