Best Platforms to Find Live Gigs: A Guide for Musicians

Securing live gigs is crucial for musicians looking to build a fanbase, gain experience, and earn money from their performances. In today’s digital world, there are numerous platforms available to help musicians find opportunities to perform live, whether you’re an independent artist, part of a band, or a DJ. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best platforms to find live gigs and how using a platform like Muibas can help you network, collaborate, and connect with musicians and venues to increase your chances of landing gigs.

  1. Sonicbids

Sonicbids is one of the most popular platforms for finding live gigs, especially for emerging and independent musicians. It connects artists with promoters, event organizers, and venues, offering a wide range of opportunities, including festivals, live gigs, and tours.

Key Features:

  • Gig Listings: Provides access to thousands of gig opportunities worldwide, including festivals and live venues.
  • EPK (Electronic Press Kit): Sonicbids allows you to create and share your EPK with venues and promoters, which is essential for showcasing your music, press clippings, and past performances.
  • Festival and Tour Opportunities: Apply to perform at some of the biggest music festivals, including SXSW.

Muibas Connection: Once you’ve landed a gig via Sonicbids, you can use Muibas to collaborate with musicians in your area to rehearse for the show or form a live band. If you’re looking to polish your performance, Muibas can help you connect with other artists and finalize tracks before the performance.

Where to Find It: Sonicbids

  1. GigSalad

GigSalad is a platform designed for performers of all kinds, including musicians, DJs, and entertainers. It’s one of the best platforms for booking local gigs like weddings, corporate events, private parties, and other live performances.

Key Features:

  • Browse Gig Listings: Find a wide variety of gigs, from small local events to larger regional performances.
  • Direct Client Contact: Musicians can directly interact with clients and event organizers to negotiate terms and secure bookings.
  • Diverse Gigs: GigSalad isn’t just for concerts; musicians can find opportunities at weddings, parties, and corporate events.

Muibas Connection: Use Muibas to network with other musicians you meet through GigSalad. If you’re performing solo, you can use Muibas to find backing musicians or rehearse with a group of artists near you to prepare for larger events or festivals.

Where to Find It: GigSalad

  1. ReverbNation

ReverbNation is a well-known platform for both music promotion and gig opportunities. It helps musicians get discovered by promoters, event organizers, and venues, and it also offers a range of opportunities for performing live at music festivals, venues, and tours.

Key Features:

  • Gig Finder: ReverbNation’s Gig Finder feature helps you locate local and national performance opportunities that match your genre and skill level.
  • Showcase Opportunities: Apply for exclusive showcase performances that are often attended by talent scouts and industry professionals.
  • Festival Listings: ReverbNation has relationships with many festivals, providing musicians a chance to play at larger events.

Muibas Connection: Once you’ve secured a gig through ReverbNation, you can use Muibas to refine your setlist with collaborators or find musicians in your area to rehearse before the show. You can also upload tracks and get feedback from your iBand or other collaborators to improve your live performance.

Where to Find It: ReverbNation

  1. Bandsintown for Artists

Bandsintown is a platform that allows musicians to find gigs and promote their live performances to fans. It’s widely used by artists to announce shows, connect with venues, and manage tour dates. With over 55 million users, it’s a powerful tool for booking gigs and managing tour schedules.

Key Features:

  • Gig Listings: Access live performance opportunities by searching for venues and events that suit your music style.
  • Event Promotion: Bandsintown also allows you to promote your upcoming gigs to your fanbase and potential new audiences.
  • Tour Management: Keep track of all your shows and tours in one place, making it easy to manage your performance calendar.

Muibas Connection: As you find gigs via Bandsintown, you can use Muibas to organize rehearsals, create an iBand with local musicians, and collaborate online to prepare for the show. Sharing setlists and recordings with your Muibas bandmates will ensure everyone is ready for the gig.

Where to Find It: Bandsintown for Artists

  1. Indie On The Move

Indie On The Move is a platform that focuses on helping independent musicians book live gigs across the United States. It offers a database of venues, booking contacts, and touring resources, making it a valuable tool for musicians looking to perform in new cities.

Key Features:

  • Venue Database: Search through thousands of venues across the U.S. and connect directly with booking agents and venue owners.
  • DIY Booking Tools: Indie On The Move provides guides and templates to help independent artists with DIY booking.
  • Touring Support: Ideal for musicians looking to book gigs in multiple cities as part of a tour.

Muibas Connection: If you’re planning a tour through Indie On The Move, you can use Muibas to collaborate with musicians in different cities. This allows you to rehearse remotely, finalize setlists, and even meet local artists in each city who can perform with you live.

Where to Find It: Indie On The Move

  1. Facebook Groups and Social Media

Don’t overlook social media as a way to find live gig opportunities. Many local venues, promoters, and bands use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to post gig opportunities or look for musicians to join performances. Facebook groups dedicated to local music scenes are particularly valuable for staying updated on open gigs in your area.

Key Features:

  • Local Music Groups: Join Facebook groups dedicated to musicians in your city to find open gigs and network with other artists and promoters.
  • Promoter Announcements: Follow local venues, promoters, and festivals on social media for the latest gig listings.
  • Networking: Use social media to build relationships with other musicians and event organizers.

Muibas Connection: After connecting with other musicians or booking agents via social media, use Muibas to collaborate on your set, share rehearsal recordings, and refine tracks with others. You can also use Muibas to network with people you meet through social media, creating an iBand to help prepare for your live shows.

Conclusion: Finding Live Gigs and Collaborating with Muibas

Finding live gigs has never been easier, thanks to the numerous platforms available that connect musicians with venues, promoters, and event organizers. Whether you’re using Sonicbids for festivals, GigSalad for local events, or ReverbNation for nationwide opportunities, there are countless ways to secure live performances and build your career as a musician.

Platforms like Muibas make the process even smoother by providing collaboration tools that allow you to rehearse, finalize tracks, and work with local musicians. By connecting with fellow artists, creating an iBand, or organizing rehearsals, Muibas helps you prepare for every gig, ensuring your live performances are polished and professional.

Whether you’re booking shows locally or planning a nationwide tour, use these platforms to find the best gig opportunities and leverage Muibas to make the most out of every performance.