@bandlines.bsky.socialThe setlist gets written before soundcheck, argued over in the van, and taped down by the pedals. Then the first three songs tell you what kind of night it is. The bands people remember are the ones who notice, and change it without the room ever seeing the join.
@bandlines.bsky.socialIt usually starts with one message. Any chance you could post a shirt to London?
A week later the fan messages again: there's a card from Royal Mail asking for a fee before they'll hand the parcel over.
#BandMerch #IrishMusic #IndependentMusic #GiggingBand #Brexit
@bandlines.bsky.socialThe merch table has one real window: the gap between the lights coming up and the crowd going home. People are buzzing, they've just seen you play, and they'll buy a shirt if someone is there to sell it.
@bandlines.bsky.socialWe asked a small group of Irish bands how they sell merch. Nearly all of them said the same thing: at gigs, off a table, to people who just watched them play.
They're carrying a box to a venue and carrying most of it home again.
@bandlines.bsky.socialEvery band has done it. 100 shirts printed because it was the price break, paid for out of the gig money, and by the third gig you're out of mediums.
It isn't that the merch doesn't sell. It's that the cash goes out months before it comes back.
@ritesofhadda.bsky.socialWe're currently having some weeks off while we prepare for the fall of humanity - be right back.....
#gigs #giglist #giggingband #band #livemusic #diypunk #punk #queerpunk
