By James Blakely

In the beginning bands usually play local venues. This is great exposure to build a local fan base, but there comes a point in a band's life when it is time to move beyond playing the local club. Your music needs to be heard by people outside of your city.

Many bands are hesitant to make this step, but it is very important to play outside your area. Exposing your sound to other areas builds your reputation. The problems start with money. Traveling is expensive. Housing and feeding all of your band members looks to be enormous, but it can be a very good investment.

One of the best ways to get gigs in other cities is to gig swap. Gig swapping in the most elementary sense is to contact a band in another city and find venues that they play and give them information about venues in your city. Now you can get more involved and actually let a band open for you at a local club and then open for them at their club. Some even get the gigs for each other. Anyway you do it, gig swapping will help you get that exposure in different cities.

First you need to contact a band in another city. I would find another music scene near you that you haven't played. You can do a search online for bands in that city.

I would try and find a band that plays your genre or style of music, since they will have the in on bars and clubs that you will want to play. Plus you want to expose their fans to your music. Part of doing a swap is giving your fans exposure to their band and their's yours. You will be helping to promote the show in your city for them in exchange for the same. That way you won't be playing an empty hall.

Once you find a band that looks suitable shoot them an email. I would make sure to choose a band that has a good fan base, but has not started playing in your city. I would also not just pick one. Try and find 5 or more, if all five agree then you could fill a whole week of gigs and make the money back from traveling.

You will be surprised how open to the idea local bands will be. You can even link to this article to explain what you are talking about. Whatever you decide to say I would make it short. It is better to open a dialogue then to giving orders.

Just make sure that both parties understand what you are agreeing to. If you are going to help promote, let them open, or get the gig, make sure everyone understands the deal. That way you won't have any problems and you can make a good business relationship.