Information About Performing At Blue

INQUIRING ABOUT A SHOW

Press Kits
If you have not played Blue before, please send an electronic press kit to booking@portcityblue.com  Standard press kits and CDs can be dropped off in person at Blue located at 650A Congress Street in Portland or sent in the mail to:

Blue
PO Box 5034
Portland, ME  04101

COMPENSATION

Donations
Blue is primarily a “donations venue”, meaning that most shows are for customer/listener donations. We might have a suggested donation (e.g., $4, $10, etc.) in any promotional material as well as at the show.

Ticketed Shows
In rare instances, we will host a ticketed show.

Additional Compensation
Musicians scheduled to perform on a given night can opt to have food and two beverages. If you choose not to eat or drink anything, it can not be ordered for someone else.

PROMOTION

www.portcityblue.com
Anyone with an upcoming show will be linked from Blue’s website.  Just send us an email at booking@portcityblue.com with a photo and your web address. It is always appreciated it when www.portcityblue.com is linked from musicians’ sites.

The Blue News
This is the weekly email newsletter of Blue. Anyone scheduled to perform at Blue will appear in The Blue News.  Please send us a good bio, photo, and link.

“The Marquee”
The Marquee is that lighted black box in the window at blue with the various promos for upcoming shows, events and our menu inside. We design and post all promos for upcoming shows. We do not tape posters and flyers to the window, door or walls.  

Press Release
We suggest doing a press release whenever possible. This is simply a blurb about yourself or your group that gets sent out to newspapers, radio stations, etc. Sometimes you can include a professionally-done photo with it. A well-executed press release to multiple media outlets can greatly improve the attendance and enthusiasm for your show.

The Portland Phoenix
Blue shows are listed in the Portland Phoenix.

Flyering & Word of Mouth
If you want to “flyer” for one of your shows, that can be an effective means of getting more people in. Also, tell everybody about your show.

PERFORMING

No Alcohol Allowed On Stage
For legal reasons, there is absolutely no drinking on stage. You must be “on break” and completely off stage in order to consume an alcoholic beverage.

The Tables
If have food and drink, please try to limit this to the use of one table. If possible, keeping your food and drinks at a friend’s table is greatly appreciated. Also, please put other equipment (e.g., instrument cases) in the back hallway.

Equipment
We have a house P.A. system with four inputs (channels), two speakers, a passive monitor, two mic stands, three mics, mic chords and various other patch chords. The smaller equipment (i.e., chords, mics) is kept in back of the bar. Just let us know and we’ll get the box of equipment so you can grab what you need.

Volume
Appropriate volume is very important. If the performance is too loud for the room, this can create an uncomfortable live music experience. Ideally, the volume should take into account such factors as the number of people in the room, the style of music and the room itself. If the performance is too loud, we may ask you to turn it down.  Doing sound checks may help with achieving the right volume.

 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to send an email to: booking@portcityblue.com