Just some advice really from a few of the promoters over this side of the water really....

In the past year or so, we've had several really cool bands coming over but they've booked their tours through booking agents who have been asking DIY promoters for unrealistic guarantees which has either led to good promoters being put off and poor ones taking the shows, or good ones left panicking about trying to lose as little money as possible to put on a band they love.

I'd advise any bands who are thinking of coming over to firstly consider how big their UK fanbase is (yes you may have fans here who adore your music, but if it's only a few then a lot of people are going to be losing money for your sake) and then if you do really want to go for it, befriend a UK band you like who're established in the scene here, so more people will come to the shows and also, the band will have a good knowledge of promoters and the scene here (where to play/where not to play etc)

One example of this is Football, etc who're currently touring with Your Neighbour The Liar on what by most accounts seems to be a successful tour where the band didn't have any guarantees but has managed to be paid a decent amount, have a place to crash and be fed. Surely this is what DIY is all about? It's how bands tour here and i'm sure tour over in the states so why should that change when a band crosses the Atlantic? Especially if it's just so a band can be promised big numbers so a booking agent can make some money at a hard working promoters expense. The agent isn't the one making sure a backline is sorted, the venue is booked, there's somewhere for the band to stay, making food for people, getting posters made and then flyering the show and generally just putting a lot of hours in.

There are a lot of American bands I'd love to see come over here so I hope they all keep this in mind and if you know any bands thinking of touring here, please spread the message so we can keep the scene alive.

thanks
x

I'm going to chime in even though I've not fully formed what I want to say here just yet, so bear with me!

Basically the problem with a certain way of going about touring Europe is that the financial burden gets covered by
the individuals excited enough to be into your band and humble as we are, with a certain genre of bands it's starting to feel like a privilege rather than a mutual aid sort of thing.

Most good UK promoters will go through life and limb to make sure people know about your band/shows, but we're no miracle workers. Sometimes interest just isn't there. This is why door deals/ guides are a so much more viable solution.
Because if you've got one gig down on people, most likely you'll balance out at some other show. For most DIY promoters this isn't the case, we're almost always out of money/ just about at break even.
There is a reason why after a few years a lot of us take a break/ give up. Because it quickly comes to a point where we just can't do it any more.

I think I can understand that touring Europe/UK or just anywhere outside of what you know and see everyday is exciting and compelling, but just bear in mind that if you're a low profile/ new/ not so well known band you're basically going on a holiday and aren't owed anything. Least someone carrying the financial burden for you.*We're happy to sort out a gig, make you some food, give you a warm place to stay and any money that we do make will go to you any ways!

I have more to say about the sort of dynamics this creates, and so on but I'll probably come back to this when and if an exploration of options and view develops.

I think for some pro tips, really do get in touch with a UK label/ band and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.
Don't let someone who doesn't understand anything much about the UK book you a 20 date 40 gig tour through FB,
asking for silly guarantees until a week before the tour he's not filled any dates and is forced to concede to door deals anyway, giving the promoters no time to work up a good buzz. Also ASK and stay in control of what your whoever is booking the tour is asking for.

*You might think "yo, we did alright going over there" but you did this on someone elses back.

Thinking about it it's probably a good way to go about booking shows anywhere.
Find locals/ people who know what's up. Gather info. Don't follow the money. Follow the heart.
Easy.

Thank you for this.