In the old days, for those of us in London at least, it was a simple matter of looking in Time Out. Back then Time Out's gig listings were comprehensive; if a band or promoter informed the magazine at least two weeks before a gig's scheduled date, Time Out would list it. Nowadays, Time Out is less of a listings magazine and more a collection of shit articles, with a few listings in the middle pages. I used to think that promoters were no longer on the ball at sending in their schedules, but having spoken to various promoters and bands, it is clear that Time Out is just making editorial decisions on what to list and what not to. Normally that means listing all the big gigs, that are already well publicised and often sold out and leaving out bands with small followings and little means to promote their gigs.
I have "befriended" various bands on MySpace, so as to receive updates on when they are playing, but I haven't time to do this with every band I could possibly wish to see; plus the new "improved" MySpace is such a pain in the arse, I can't be bothered to use it any more, a view seemingly also held by many musicians, judging by the number who no longer update their page.
I'm on mailing lists for a few favourite promoters (Dirty Water, Upset The Rhythm etc) and check in to the websites of a few favourite venues (Lexington, Windmill). I also check into Londongigs.net.
None of this in anyway compensates for the loss of the old Time Out, which was like a one stop shop for gig listings as well as films, sport, theatre, museums etc.
I mainly seem to find things out by word of mouth, which too often comes after the event!
What do the rest of you do for gig information?Statistics: Posted by milchman — Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:54 pm
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