On a recent episode of the Profitable Musician Show, the conversation focused on the most awesome gigs experienced by members of the Female Musician Accelerator. The hosts and members dove into stories that went far beyond traditional music venues, proving that unconventional gigs can often be some of the most meaningful, successful, and transformative performances of a musician’s career.
Listen to the episode here
How To Attract Awesome Gigs
Knowing and Reaching Your Audience
A key theme that emerged was the importance of knowing your audience and finding the right venue—even (and especially) if it means leaving the beaten path. One concept discussed was how identifying a specific niche can open doors to incredible opportunities. For instance, one musician’s decades-long connection with the Woodstock generation led to a dream gig performing at the Woodstock Museum for a commemorative event. As she reflected, “I would say follow your dreams because why not? A lot of times they can come true” .
Another story highlighted the magic of playing for the right crowd in an unexpected setting. Performing at a yoga studio, another artist described the audience as “the long clappers”—people so present and responsive, every song was met with extended, heartfelt applause. She realized, “The way people receive you is often so much based on them and where they’re at. Sometimes when you’re playing and you look out and see someone grimacing…the truth is likely that they had a hard day or barely made it out of the house tonight” . The discussion explored how artists can thrive and feel valued in these aligned environments compared to less receptive traditional venues.
Embracing Life’s Challenges and Creating Memorable Moments
Several points were raised, including the unpredictability of balancing parenting and performing. One particularly heartwarming and humorous story involved a musician who, after babysitter plans fell through, performed at a stadium gig with her very young children in tow. The children ended up surprising everyone by behaving throughout the set, turning what could have been a disaster into an unforgettable family moment. She offered this practical advice: “Trust that your children will be wonderful and behave, and just in case, get three babysitters” .
Aligning Your Music With Your Mission
The discussion also explored how aligning performance opportunities with personal missions or causes can lead to extraordinary experiences. For one artist, playing for service members on a Navy ship through the USO was a profound honor: “It was amazing how we were received and something that I’ll never forget. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience” . This experience inspired her to establish an organization that helps veterans share their stories through song.
Leveraging Relationships and Taking Initiative
A core takeaway was the significance of relationships and initiative in landing unique gigs. One performer shared her journey to being a featured artist for 18,000 people at a global summit, noting, “What I’ve learned is that it really is all about relationships when it comes to big opportunities. Every once in a while something will just drop on your head, but in reality, it’s often who you know” .
Another musician demonstrated how a passion project—writing and presenting a song about a local historical tragedy—became a community event in an old theater, drawing descendants, history buffs, and townspeople together. “You kind of can create an opportunity if you want to. I guess I learned a lot…but when it’s all done, it’s all worth it. And then share your ideas and share your music with people who might care” .
The Mic Drop: Seek Out Your Audience
A final, resounding message summed it up: “You’ve got to take the initiative to find the people who care and to find the perfect audience for you because they are out there, but sometimes you just have to go outside of the box to reach them” .
Important Links Mentioned In This Episode
- Female Musician Accelerator program
- Woodstock Museum, Bethel, NY
- Braver Angels music group
- The USO & Blood To Ink organization
- University of Redlands
- Berklee College of Music
- Carbon County Historic Society, Red Lodge, MT
For details on each gig and more stories, check out the full episode of the Profitable Musician Show.
