We get lots of requests to play Bird’s Nest and lots of questions like “what does it take to play”, “what is the criteria for getting booked”, etc…
So I (Sean) want to address this here instead of hundreds of times individually.
1. There is no magic bullet or secret password for getting booked.So I (Sean) want to address this here instead of hundreds of times individually.
2. Obviously we want to support original independent artists. This is why we started Bird’s Nest. We also have a limited number of shows that we host on any given week/month, so this means there is simply no way that we can accommodate everyone. We average 1-3 shows per week and we are ok with that. We are heavily involved in every show that happens at Bird’s Nest and this seems to be the number of shows per week we are comfortable with while still managing other responsibilities outside of the venue.
3. To be considered you must be an original artist. We don’t book cover bands or tribute bands.
4. Because you know someone that played previously does not secure you a booking.
5. I do listen to some music from everyone who makes a request.
6. We have to like your music. We don’t want to sit through a show we don’t enjoy.
7. I don’t book vulgar or offensive artists.
8. We still have to consider “can we sell tickets to your show?” We don’t have a built in audience. We do work hard to promote every show, but we still need you to have some kind of draw for the area and be willing to work to promote your show. If you do have a confirmed date with us, we’d love your help getting the word out. Send along any promotional materials: posters, flyers, photos, links, or anything else we can share. We’ll do our part to promote, but ultimately, it’s the artist’s responsibility to mobilize their fan base.
9. Before you reach out, please check our calendar to make sure your preferred date is still available. That saves time for all of us.Thanks for considering Bird’s Nest. We’re honored to be part of the North Carolina music community and excited to share great music with our audiences — one heartfelt performance at a time
10. I don’t consider booking requests that come through social media. Email Sean@birdsnestdunn.com and send your EPK/digital music links.
If you don’t have music out in the world, see #8.
11. Some of these may seem very subjective and yes they are. All art is. That’s part of the fun.