INQUIRING
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 in the mail to:
Blue
P.O. Box 4254
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
Compensation in the form of food and drinks is negotiated, when the show is scheduled, on an individual basis.
PROMOTION
Facebook
All of the scheduled performances are posted on our facebook page. We ask that you post your shows on your page as well.
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. PLEASE SUBMIT AN 8.5 x 11 PORTRAIT FLYER FOR YOUR SHOW. Any additional promos will be put up inside of Blue. We do not tape posters and flyers to the window, door or walls.
Press Releases
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. Word of mouth has proven to be the most successful means of advertising that we’ve found.
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
Blue has a “Europower PMP2000″ 9 channel PA system, two speakers, two passive monitors (one mix), four mic stands, four mics, XLR and 1/4″ cables. We do encourage musicians to bring their own mic stands, cables and mics whenever possible. When bringing in equipment for your show, please be mindful that Blue is a small room, small stage and it doesn’t take much to adequately amplify your show. We ask that musicians try to use such things as smaller amplifiers, smaller drum kits, brushes, etc.
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 will ask you to turn it down. Doing sound checks is strongly encouraged in order to achieve the right volume.
Intoxication
If you arrive for your show and you are intoxicated, your show will be cancelled and you will be asked to leave. This is rare, but has indeed happened.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at booking@portcityblue.com
