Good morning

[JohnDTraynor]

Hello, my name is John Traynor

I moved to Birmingham five years ago

I compile a West Midlands weekly gigs list http://groups.myspace.com/birminghamgigs It's easy to use: Just click on a day and then click on a band name to go to their myspace or website to hear some music - listen before you choose a gig to go to.

I also do this http://nopaytoplayinbrum.blogspot.com/

[Velvett Fogg]

Hi John,

First of all
WELCOME to the forum,
and we hope you take a look around.

Thanks for your posts, in the three threads.
I've taken a look at both your gigs guide,
which is excellent, well done on all the hard work.
I also looked at your blog, on Pay-to- Play promoters.
This is a subject we are constantly reminding our members about.
Promoters and record companies who ask for monies up front,
is usually 99% a scam!.
My advice to all budding musicians,
is, if you're good enough, they pay YOU!

Once again John, thanks and keep us in touch.

[JohnDTraynor]

The gig list has been around for two and a half years. BBC WM Introducing read out a selection of gigs from it on their weekly live show every Thursday evening.

The pay-to-play operators are always easy to spot because they always say in their Terms & Condition "this isn't pay-to-play, it's just paying for tickets in advance" which is exactly what pay-to-play is.

And they always try to give the impression that the music business is all like that, which it isn't.

It's depressing how many bands have entered the Surface Unsigned nonsense, spending a lot of their own money and their fans money, most of which will end in the bank balance of Jay Mitchell and his colleagues, and nothing gained for the bands. I've always argued that Surface Unsigned aren't in the music business at all - they just pretend to be.

[Purple23]

Hi John Traynor,

Welcome to the forum!!!

[Velvett Fogg]

Hi Purple23

First of all
WELCOME to the forum,
and we hope you take a look around.

Thanks for your post,hope to hear more from you.

[WaxMan]

The gig list has been around for two and a half years. BBC WM Introducing read out a selection of gigs from it on their weekly live show every Thursday evening.

The pay-to-play operators are always easy to spot because they always say in their Terms & Condition "this isn't pay-to-play, it's just paying for tickets in advance" which is exactly what pay-to-play is.

And they always try to give the impression that the music business is all like that, which it isn't.

It's depressing how many bands have entered the Surface Unsigned nonsense, spending a lot of their own money and their fans money, most of which will end in the bank balance of Jay Mitchell and his colleagues, and nothing gained for the bands. I've always argued that Surface Unsigned aren't in the music business at all - they just pretend to be.


hi guys, I don't know the ins and outs of the Surface Unsigned type gigs... I would say that from my experience, it's better to go it alone than waiting for someone to "notice" via this competition route.

I reckon if you are good enough you word of mouth will bring people to your gigs and you can take it from there. Even things like X Factor, T4 showcase thing etc etc, don't really mean much, you can be thrust into the limelight immediately but it's better of you can work your way up collecting £200 every time you pass GO! If you know what I mean. Look how hard the Beatles worked touring before really making it.