I'm With The Band: Guest List Etiquette for Local Bands

The guest list at a show is a very interesting thing that isn't discussed often. There are different rules for the guest list at each venue and each promotor will do their guest list a certain way. When it comes to local shows this is something that is often abused by local bands. While it seems innocent enough to want to get your friends or family into your show for free bands need to consider the implications of putting people on their list.

The obvious thing about putting people on the guest list is that is one less paying person which means less money in the door. If there are 4 bands playing and each member of each band has 1 person on the guest list, assuming there are 4 members in each band, that is 16 less people paying. If tickets are only $5 then the door is losing $80 from the guest list, a number higher than what most local bands will be paid for said show. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to put guests on the list but if you are in a band that is drawing on average under 20 people then you shouldn't be putting anyone on the guest list except in a few situations.

1. Merch Table - You have a friend running the merchandise table.

2. Photographer - You have someone taking photos of the show (this does not mean a friend taking pictures with their phone).

3. Videographer - You have someone taking video of the show (same thing about a friend just taping with their phone).

4. Press - You have someone from the press attending the show. It could be someone from a school paper for all I care, any press to get the word out about the bands and local shows is a good thing. 

5. Music Industry - You have a record label exec, A&R rep, Sponsor rep, or anyone who has an important role in the music industry.

6. Important to Band - By this I mean someone whose help ensures the band can play. This would include someone who is lending equipment, someone hosting the band's practices,  or possibly someone who drove the band members. This does not include some friend who came with you at load-in to help you load-in. 

In my opinion every band should adhere to these rules unless they are drawing over 100 people locally on average, especially since the majority of local fans at this level are friends and family. I find it odd that so many friends of bands feel entitled to get into the show for free because they are "supporting" their friend's band by attending. 

The last thing I will mention is the girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other of a band member debacle. Some people think it shouldn't be a big deal to let them in for free and some people think they shouldn't be on the guest list. I've had door-guys at shows just let them in for free despite what the promotor says because they basically consider them part of the band. This is something that I don't see as a problem once a band can consistently draw over 20 people but if a band draws less then their significant others usually make up a big chunk of their 'fan base'.