If you’ve ever thought, “I want to play live shows, but I have no clue where to start,” welcome. You’re in the right place. This guide is for every indie artist staring at their guitar wondering how to go from bedroom performances to real, paying gigs.

I started with no manager, no label, and not much more than a dream—and somehow still landed headlining gigs, festivals, and weekly bookings. Here’s everything I wish someone had told me when I started.

1. Crafting a Setlist That Works (And Wins Over Crowds)

Your setlist is your backbone. If you don’t have one, you don’t have a show.

Here’s how to build it like a pro:

Tailor it to the venue. Sad indie ballads might be perfect for a house concert, but they’ll flop at a noisy bar. Know your crowd. A Mexican restaurant crowd? Upbeat classics. A retirement home? Elvis, Sinatra, and folk. Coffeehouse? Bring on the originals.
Have at least 3 versions:
- One for rowdy, high-energy venues.
- One for intimate, story-focused spaces.
- One hybrid list (just in case).
Include familiar songs. Covers are the secret sauce. They create connection instantly. Slide your originals between songs people love—Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Beatles, Olivia Rodrigo.
Flow matters. Mix tempos and moods. Think of your set like a story arc, not a playlist.

2. Practice Smarter, Not Harder

You don’t need to rehearse all 60 songs every day. (Yes, aim for 50–60 songs total if you want to play longer shows.)

Here’s how I manage it:

Passive practice: Make a playlist of your songs and listen while doing chores or driving. Let it soak in.
Daily rotation: Actively practice 5–7 songs each day. Rotate weekly. Think of it like mental meal prep.
Go full-out sometimes: Stand up. Perform like you’re on stage. Talk to the “crowd.” Practice your banter—even the awkward jokes. Confidence comes from prep.
Memorize as much as possible. No one connects with an artist reading from a phone. Know your lyrics. Know your chords.

3. Build a Killer EPK (Electronic Press Kit)

Think of your EPK as your artist résumé. It should scream, “I’m professional. I’m easy to work with. Book me.”

Must-Haves:

A short but strong bio (who you are, what you sound like, what makes your shows special).
Live performance videos (even from open mics).
Sample song list or Spotify playlist.
Contact info: socials + email.

Bonus (Highly Recommended):

High-res photos (headshots, stage pics).
Links to original music.
Venues you’ve played (even local bars or libraries).
Press coverage, awards, or reviews.

Format Tip:
Put everything on a single scrollable web page. No tabs. No dropdowns. Busy bookers don’t dig—they scroll. I use WordPress, but use whatever you like. Just make it sleek and simple.

You can check out my EPK for inspiration: tzayla.com/epk/

4. Booking Your First Gigs (Without Waiting to Be Discovered)

You don’t need permission. Just start. Here’s how I did it—and how you can too.

1. Show Up In Person.
Emails are easy to ignore. Walk into the venue. Ask who books the music. Be polite. Be bold. You’re not a spam link—you’re a real artist with a name and a smile.

2. Bring Your Tools.
Have your EPK ready. Print it out. Put it on a QR business card. Save a link in your phone notes. Make it easy for people to learn about you.

3. Start Small.
Open mics, farmers markets, coffee shops, art galleries, libraries, even retirement homes. My first headlining show came after an open mic in Port St. Joe, FL. I didn’t plan it—I just showed up.

4. Use Social Proof.
Post your performances. Even if it’s one person clapping and a toddler doing the worm. It’s proof that you’re out there doing it. And it makes you bookable.

5. Follow Up Like a Pro.
Didn’t hear back? Follow up after a week or two. Keep a spreadsheet of who you’ve contacted, what they said, and when to reach back out. Organization is what separates dreamers from doers.

6. Talk to Other Musicians.
Go to local shows. Ask artists where they play and who books them. Offer to split a set. Most of my gigs came from connections made at open mics. Don’t underestimate your fellow artists—they’re your allies.

Final Words: You Don’t Need a Break. You Need Momentum.

You don’t need a label, a viral hit, or a manager to get booked. You need:

A strong setlist.
A simple EPK.
The guts to ask.

Gigging grows your confidence, sharpens your performance chops, and gets your music off the screen and into the world. That’s where your audience is—waiting.

So build your list. Play the open mic. Record the footage. Send the email. Do it again.

And soon, someone will say, “Hey, I’ve heard of you.”

And you’ll think, Yeah. Because I showed up.

Thanks for reading, and remember, Keep Dreaming Big!!

God Bless,