The show is actually on TUESDAY JUNE 3rd. 21 and OVER.
So this is what went down.
It turns out that we have to pay $300.00 to secure a spot as one of the opening acts.. The guy basically told Cold that he only wanted people that are willing to hustle to get on... There are going to be major opportunities here, and they are expecting a crowd of almost 1000 heads.....
but does this sound right, or are they just jerking us around? Has anyone on here ever paid to perform somewhere?
either way, we started taking donations from family and friends....and in just one day got about $180.00. So the money ain't an issue now, but I was just curious as to whether anyone has heard of this type of thing before....
anyone in the Cali area, come out and support though!! I'll def post up video and pics when it's all said and done.
My how WC's stock has fallen when people have to pay-to-play to open up for him. Before he could secure a minor act off DefJam.
Dude, the promoter is hustling you. Let me entertain you with a true story of how an opening act is found from the very bottom of the barrel, and how they make their way up.
There was a band I know very well that played a smalltime concert set up by some local promoter a long time ago. The promoter listened to demos submitted to him. From the demos he selected the best bands. Then, the promoter called each band and set up a time where he could SEE the each band practice (at their house, rehearsal space, wherever.) After going through this process, he screened the band based on music and stage presence.
The bands he liked best were booked for the concert.
Now, the promoter worked in conjunction with the venue -- who has THEIR own promoters for bigger shows.
My friend's band played the smalltime concert. All of a sudden, a couple days later - the bigger promoter that runs shows for the VENUE (not the smalltime cat) asked my friend's band if they would open up for A NATIONAL ACT THAT YOU PROBABLY HEARD OF.
How the fuck did this happen? Well, the venue promoter is scouting the shows of the bullshit promoters for acts to open up for his shows. My friend's band was video taped without even knowing it. They had awesome stage presence and had exactly what the promoter was looking for.
So -- my friend's band played for the NATIONAL ACT. A bigger promoter from a LiveNation affiliate was there. He liked my friend's act and now the band got "promoted" to open for HUGE FUCKING BANDS that were being presented by LiveNation. From that point on, they built contacts, created relationships and got signed. The whole process took them about 8 months - 1 year.
That's how you come up.
Paying to play is bullshit. You probably will end up doing it because you don't want to pass up the "opportunity" but the promoter is the one being opportunistic. You will backwards rationalize on why your decision is/was justified (it's a good deal, it's just collateral money, it's worth a shot, why not?).
Real promoters don't charge bands to open up for them because they try to recruit good acts so they throw good shows that people want to see. Real promoters make money off tickets sold -- not by being paid by hopeful artists.
He's doing the whole "selling the dream to the dreamers" -- for a price. Any "industry heads" that are there will see you guys as gullible cats and you will demonstrate lower value. Example:
"Who's that opening act?"
"Some cats that paid to open up for WC."
"Lol. Pay to open up for WC, that's a fucking joke -- WC should be paying them-- he hasn't done shit in years."
"Smart promoter."
Just be logical in your decision, you were warned. If nothing comes of it, at least you get to practice stage presence in front of a big crowd. It'll become addictive.
