How To Support Local Musicians (While Having The Best Night Of Your Life)

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Feeling none too excited about tonight's local event spread? Tired of feigning enthusiasm when dancing to "Don't Stop Believing?" Well switch up the soundtrack of your life by going to see a random local band! Just roll the dice, take a chance, and make a poster. The only people who will be having more fun than you are the band members du jour.

STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR LOCAL BAND

I suggest doing some internet hunting for this one. Most listings in the local papers are probably too high-profile to qualify, and the whole point of this mission is to support smaller local bands. Be hardcore, and choose a band you’ve never heard of, based entirely upon the name. Some good band name examples include but are not limited to:

  • Barnacle Souffle
  • Poverty Tax
  • Gay Witch Abortion
  • The House That Gloria Vanderbilt

You get the idea. When I did this with some friends recently, we chose “The Insane Plantains,” who happened to be playing that week. Since they were presumably a Reggae band, we started brainstorming about fan decorations at once.

Try some of these locations.

Red Devil Lounge

1695 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

This place is big enough to help your obnoxious chanting and song requests blend in a bit. But while they sure host a lot of perfect local acts, I’d recommend the intimacy of a smaller place. Try Kimo’s just down the street!

This place is big enough to help your obnoxious chanting and song requests blend in a bit. But while they sure host a lot of perfect local acts, I’d recommend the intimacy of a smaller place. Try Kimo’s just down the street!

Hot Crowd At The Knockout

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The Knockout

3223 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Your giant poster won’t go unnoticed in this little dive. Also, please note they host BINGO on Thursdays.

Your giant poster won’t go unnoticed in this little dive. Also, please note they host BINGO on Thursdays.

STEP 2: COLLECT SUPPLIES

Neon Poster Board

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TIP: It’s always a good idea to listen to your chosen band’s Myspace tracks on repeat as you’re designing your fanwear.

Face Paint?

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Be careful with your irony quotient here. You don’t want to seem disingenous! Remember, you’re not trying to make fun of the band, but rather fill the room with great energy and have a great time, no matter the sonic content.

Shout, "Good song!" after every single song.

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Touch them where they've never been touched before.

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Suggested Venues

 

Gold Dust Lounge

247 Powell St, San Francisco, CA

Go here if you really want some slap bass groove music!

Riptide the

3639 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116

Try the Riptide if you want some twang in your local music.

Try the Riptide if you want some twang in your local music.

Gitter Pens

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Be sure to administer glitter only an hour or two before show. A runny wet poster really stands out, and leaves behind a lasting memory.

Found Art

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Three-dimensional artifacts will most certainly add texture to your poster. Believe it or not, stapling a banana peel to poster board is easy as pie.

STEP 3: CONSIDER YOUR ATTIRE

STEP 4: PROUDLY DISPLAY POSTER

Try to stand in the front row.

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STEP 5: BECOME ONE WITH THE BAND

Whip out that reggae piano solo you've been hiding all these years.

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TIP: Poetry readings are also a good pick. Just skip the audience participation.

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