amongst our fanbase until we get another chance to tour. Additionally, these releases/events would
provide us with alternative sources of revenue in place of the touring revenues that we would be
receiving had the tour not been canceled. These ideas would not only help us maintain our
connection with our audience and continue building our brand in the absence of live tour
performances, but allow us to sustain ourselves financially while we remain in “tour limbo”.
Exploring Alternative Opportunities
In case of a tour cancellation, we would assess alternative avenues for exposure and audience
reach. For instance, we could explore partnerships with local venues or festivals in key markets
where we have a strong fan base. By organizing intimate, localized shows or participating in
festivals, we could still reach new audiences and maintain our momentum. This approach would
help us in the long run, as growing our audience enough could get us to the point where we receive
offers to lead tours rather than support them! Furthermore, increasing our reach could bring us
opportunity to play shows in new cities or new parts of the country.
A simple alternative to keep performances going is to go busking. For example, in Boston, you do not
need a permit or license to perform, and finding a popular place such as Boston Commons, where a
lot of foot traffic is, can help grow a local audience. This local audience can be used to generate
more hype for the next tour that will be planned.
Time can be allocated to releasing merchandise if there is a large enough following for the band, as
this can help increase brand recognition. Related to this is content creation, such as recording jam
sessions where you do covers and releasing them on YouTube or doing Q&A’s with all the band
members to market themselves and creating fanbases for every member.
Another alternative route available to us is that we could dedicate our extra time and energy to
focusing on creative endeavors, such as collaborating with other artists, or writing/recording new
material. In doing so, we can continue to cultivate our creativity, resiliency, and authenticity, which
are core values of our band.
Produce/write new music
To keep the artist dialed in it’s always good to work on new music. The band could take this time to
release some new music and even write/produce new music. It’s important to pivot to another
situation and continue to keep creativity going even when one thing stops. Just like we have talked
about above for gaining new audiences.
I think what’s also is important is the mental health of the artist during the time.
Supporting mental
and emotional well-being, Artists often face unique pressures and uncertainties that can impact
their mental and emotional well-being. Contingency planning can incorporate strategies to
support artists' overall well-being, such as providing access to mental health resources,
establishing support networks, or fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. By
addressing these aspects, leadership can create an atmosphere where artists feel supported,
motivated, and empowered to continue their creative endeavors.
