PDP Manifesto

THE PDP MANIFESTO

manifesto (noun) - a public declaration of policy and aims

What follows is our attempt to condense our expectations, policies, procedures, rules and guidelines into as brief a form as possible. If you want to work with us you probably should at least skim through this. Then contact us at booking@pdpproductions.com

Summary

If you like to read you came to the right place. If not, then most of what is below can be summed up as this: "If you are a local band and you think all you need to do is book a show with us and 6 weeks later show up to play you are wrong." If you are still interested in a spot on a show or you want to know what we mean by "local" or what we expect from all artists, read on.

Some important stuff up front:

For shows we do in Greenfield area we require that bands not play any shows within 15 miles (basically Greenfield, Turners and surrounding area) within 2 weeks and no shows within 25 miles (eg., Noho, Easthampton, Amherst, Brattleboro) same weekend. The same general rules apply to shows we do in other areas. If we find that you have booked a show that violates this we will remove you from our show without a warning.

What We Do

We host what we consider to be some of the best local shows anywhere. Don't take our word for it... read what some folks we've worked with have to say.
We're not in a huge market, we don't book 2000 seat venues, yet¹. Unless we're doing a festival show, our crowds are usually somewhere in the range of 100 - 200.
We have two main customers to please - music fans and bands (although we try to maintain good relations with venue owners and the locals too).
We please fans by booking bands they like to see and making the bands look and sound as good as possible in an enviroment that is safe and fun.
We please bands by getting them crowds that are as big as possible and making them look and sound as good as possible in front of those fans.
We also treat bands well and try to insure they can afford to keep doing what they are doing.
We attempt to make enough money to cover our expenses (venue costs, paying bands, equipment upkeep, insurance, printing tickets, advertising).

What You Do

You work with us to promote the show. This is not a show where you book it and show up a month later and expect that someone else has gotten the word out for you.
Yes, we do promotion of our shows, but we rely on all the bands to help out. Think of us working together with you in a DIY fashion.

Local Bands

We consider anybody within roughly a 30 - 45 minute drive of the venue to be local.
We might ask you to sell tickets. It helps promote and helps insure a draw. Our target audience can be fickle, but if they have a ticket in their hands that they paid for they will probably come to the show. Tickets solidify the sale.
Remember (AND THIS THE REALLY IMPORTANT PART!) that part of what your are doing is helping us to bring fans to the show. If you're not interested in working with us to do this then don't book shows with us.
Support local music and respect other bands by watching as many as possible.
Come early, stay late.
Set a good example for your friends and fans.
Don't book another show in the area where you are doing our show. This was mentioned at the very top.
- If you REALLY need to play that other show because it's a huge show - a stepping-stone to your future career success - that's fine, but....
- Let us know at least two weeks in advance and we'll take you off our show and book someone else.
- We won't hold it against you if you cancel to play that other show... if you give us notice.
- If you violate this rule we will boot you off our show and most likely will not book you again.
- Remember that part of your job is to draw fans which you can't do that if you play in the next town over a few days later.

Touring / Traveling Bands

Generallly we don't ask bands that are coming from any reasonable distance to sell tickets.
By booking you we are making an investment in you for the future.
We expect that over time if we continue booking you at the same venues you will draw more fans.
We literally have thousands of non-local bands to choose from so it's in your best interests to reciprocate on our investment in you.
We will do our best to make you sound and look as good as posssible.
It's your job to play the best possible show you can. Be prepared and be professional.
If we think you've made a connection with the fans we'll probably book you again.
If we do book you again we will expect you to help get the word out to your fans in the area of the venue.
We will also promote, but we don't have access to your fanbase like you do.
Be organized enough to be able to get the word out. Use the tools available now... targeted mailing lists, Facebook, Myspace, etc.
We'll also have a Facebook event up for each of our shows. Please also use our event to reach your fans.
We expect that you will have your band members, friends and street teams, etc., invite people to our Facebook event.
Remember that it beats the old method of driving two hours a few weeks before the show to flyer around the venue.

Show Etiquette

Finally, a few things we like to see from bands we work with. 99% of you already know these things, but for the 1% who don't... Please...

Before The Show

Call us if you need to cancel as soon as you know. There is no excuse for just not showing up without notice.
Understand that we might need to change your set time even if all your fans expect you to play at some other time. It is unfortunate, but sometimes it happens.
Remember that someone has to play first / last / early / late / in the middle of the show. Please don't grouse about the set order. We try to mix it up. Someday if you're still around you'll be the band that gets to play the "best" spot.

On Stage

Set up quickly and keep the show moving. People didn't come to the show to watch you tune and fiddle with your equipment.
Don't break down your drums, wind cables and pack your guitars on stage. Move them off the stage first so we can get the next band on.
Don't expect us to know how to fix / set up your gear. We probably have a spare cable if you need one, but if something breaks you'd better have a spare or know a friendly band that will loan you something.
If it takes too long to fix it comes out of your set time.
Don't go over your set time. If you're not sure ask.
Encourage your fans to go to your merch table after your set, as opposed to chatting with you on the stage.
If you don't have enough music to fill out the time don't pad it by playing that cover you learned yesterday or pulling out that crappy song you haven't played in years. Better to finish early and strong and leave them wanting more.
Keep your amps stage volume at a reasonable level. Give the sound guy a chance to give you a good mix.
If you're have trouble hearing something in the monitors let the sound guy know, but relax because it might be as good as it can be and the audience can hear you just fine anyway.
It's always nice to mention the bands playing after you, thank the ones before you and ask your fans to stick around and support them. Hopefully others will give you the same courtesy.
If you're playing another show with us in a month or two by all means mention that too!

At The Venue

Don't sell tickets outside the venue.
Respect the other bands. Don't hang out outside smoking with your fans or play them an acoustic set in the parking lot while other bands are playing. Golden rule rules!
If you are the opening band or play early in the show, don't play your set and leave... that's just not cool.
Set an example for your fans - stick around and respect the other bands the way you would want them to respect you.
Respect the venue and the people that work there because if you don't it could go away. Encourage your fans to do the same.

After The Show

We pay bands based on attendance, draw, distance traveled and taking into account our expenses. Unless we have a prearranged agreement we don't guarantee anything.
If you've been treated poorly by us or anyone else at the show let us know... calmly and professionally. We do our best, but sometimes we make mistakes.
Treat us well and we'll do the same for you.

Wanna read some more about how we operate?

Read some of the Frequently Asked Questions.