Is Your Band Bookable? ECE’s Checklist for Success

Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast

This week on Gig Gab, you’re in for a deep dive into the gigging grind with guest co-host Derek Patten from ECE, EastCoast Entertainment. You’ll learn exactly what makes a band bookable—from tight chops to killer promo, a sharp social presence, and professional polish. If you’re not posting on Instagram, you’re not even in the conversation. Whether your band’s been around for five years or five weeks, it’s all about how well you play, how tight you are, and how you present yourself. And yes, clients hear with their eyes first—so get those videos dialed in and wardrobes on point.

Derek pulls back the curtain on managing 7,000 gigs a year, choosing the right acts for the right events, and what separates the pros from the posers. Spoiler: the best bands stick together, manage their own schedules, and bring something real to the stage. Authenticity and consistency win. Want more gigs? Know your brand, know your strengths, and build from there. Whether it’s Eighties Night or bluegrass bliss, if you’re creating unforgettable moments, you’re doing it right. Always Be Performing.

• 00:00:00 Gig Gab 478 – Monday, April 21st, 2025
• 00:01:17 April 21st: National Tea Day
  • Slave to the Starbucks Machine – Venti Iced Coffee, Cream and Three Splenda for Derek
  • Throat Coat Tea
• 00:03:18 Guest co-host: Derek Patten from EastCoast Entertainment
  • 6,500 to 7,000 dates per year
• 00:05:46 Providing Artist Development
  • A&R for a Cover Band
• 00:08:00 Working with Working Musicians
• 00:09:11 Office Jams!
• 00:10:21 What makes a band bookable for an agency like ECE?
  • Can you play?
  • What promo materials do you have already?
  • Clients hear with their eyes first!
  • Social media presence is HUGE
  • Advice: do something on instagram!
  • Did “my” wedding make your insta?
• 00:17:01 Does length of band’s existence matter?
  • How tight is your band?
  • How professional are you?
• 00:21:12 Fly under the radar and do your job
• 00:24:33 One band, two names!
• 00:29:26 Always Entertaining? You’re a candidate!
• 00:31:08 Guess what? Surprise! It’s Eighties Night!
• 00:32:06 Rock, Bluegrass, and Stairway to Heaven!
• 00:35:14 Creating Lifelong Memories
  • We are the soundtrack for the biggest party most people will ever throw for themselves
• 00:38:31 Selecting the right band for a client
  • Booking high-quality bands
• 00:42:52 Authenticity Matters
• 00:44:03 Managing Subs
  • Out most successful bands are bands where the same people play together all the time
• 00:48:43 The Revenue-Share Model
  • We work directly for the artists
• 00:55:07 Developing artists
  • Social Media Presence
  • Wardrobe
  • Promo Videos
  • Focus: what is the brand of your band, and how do we communicate that?
  • What is it that you do the best?
  • What is it that you want to do more of?
• 01:03:24 Managing schedules
  • …and more!
  • Band Manager (in the band) works with the Responsible Agent (at ECE) as their band champion!
• 01:08:39 Gig Gab 478 Outtro
  • Follow Derek Patten from EastCoast Entertainment
  • Submit your band to ECE!
  • Contact Gig Gab!
    • @GigGabPodcast on Instagram
    • [email protected]
    • Sign Up for the Gig Gab Mailing List

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