HOW TO BUILD A FANBASE THAT ACTUALLY SHOWS UP.
NOT ONE THAT JUST LIKES YOUR POSTS.
Having one hundred likes on your band’s Facebook post means jack shit if nobody turns up to your gigs. You want a fanbase that’s sweating with you in the front row, not just double-tapping their phones from the sofa.
STOP CHASING NUMBERS. START BUILDING REAL CONNECTIONS
Most cover bands are obsessed with follower counts, but the bands that pack out venues know it’s about connecting, not just collecting followers.
Let’s take a closer look at what actually gets people fully engaged, off their sofas and into your cover band gigs.
TALK LIKE A HUMAN, NOT A PR ROBOT
Nobody really gives a shit about your “exciting announcement”, “big things coming” or “don’t miss this!” posts. Tell stories, share the chaos, the screw- ups and the wins. Let people in on the real life of your band, not just the highlight reel.
MAKE EVERY GIG AN EVENT
Treat every show like it’s important, yes, even the midweek ones. Build hype in the run-up, tease some tunes and names of bands that you’ll be covering, share rehearsal clips, tag fans and venues. If you’re not excited, why the hell should anyone else be?
REWARD THE DIEHARDS
Shout out the regulars and buy someone a pint for showing up three gigs in a row. Post photos of your crowd, so fans feel seen and appreciated.
GET OFF YOUR STAGE AND INTO THE ROOM
Social media’s great, but nothing builds loyalty like face-to-face. Don’t just break down your kit at the end of a gig and ignore everyone. Mingle, thank people for turning up and remember their names. That’s what turns casual attendees into lifelong fans and advocates.
GIVE THEM A REASON TO COME BACK
Switch up your setlists and drop new covers in on a fairly regular basis. Also consider running a “fan pick” song poll. You need to make every gig feel like a one-off, not just another night out.
YOU CAN’T FAKE THIS SHIT
Algorithms change and trends die, but real relationships with real people is what puts bums on seats and keeps your band in business. Building a fanbase that shows up isn’t about hacks or growth secrets. It’s about showing up as a crew that communicates with people, on stage, online and everywhere in between.
WANT THE FULL BLUEPRINT?
This is just the taster. In YOUR BAND IS A WAR MACHINE, I go deep on:
- The exact strategies that took my band’s gigs from empty rooms to packed-out performances
- How to turn social lurkers into die-hard fans
- The step-by-step system for building a tribe that actually gives a shit about your band
If you’re done with playing to half-empty pubs and you want to build a fanbase that shows up, sings along and drags their mates to every gig, then grab the book and get all the weaponry.
Ready to stop counting likes and counting all those new faces in the crowd? Then grab YOUR BAND IS A WAR MACHINE. It’s the ultimate cover band handbook.
