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Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 2:32 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
So my friends and I have been considering throwing a rave locally because it has never been done before. We live far enough away from both SF and LA to not have had any decent raves around here. I've been emailing various warehouse owners around here for the past few months and have received a less than welcoming attitude if any response at all so advice on looking/sounding professional and how to approach building owners would be appreciated. One of my good friends has a CDJ turntable setup (I just got a text from him saying he has "i have 2 technics 1200s, a ttl57sl rane mixer, and serato on whatever laptop im using"). After I find a location it's only a matter of throwing together a setlist and figuring out something for a light show? Are there any programs I need to get to do a light show that matches the music? I was thinking something simple with a few strobes and maybe a few lasers along with the bass like this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ucEjzg ... r_embedded
I have all the time in the world to prepare so no rush, if any of you on here have thrown a local dnb/dubstep party before please share your wisdom here. If this belongs in a different section of the forum let me know.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 2:50 am
by ogunslinger
My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:02 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
Hell ya thanks man. I did have one correspondence which seemed to be going well until he inquired as to what kind of music would be played, he ended the discussion after I mentioned electronic music
Since you're here, how big of a speaker system should I rent for say an acre large warehouse? Is there any place in particular I could rent some lights from? I'm thinking I could start at music stores but I doubt they would have sick laser show equipment.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:11 am
by Phigure
ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:15 am
by ogunslinger
your gona need a huge system in a building that big, and it's gona be way expensive.
Since this is your first party honestly, I would start off way smaller! remember baby steps

because you don't know how many people will show, and if you throw down all that money and you get a bad turnout you'll be screwed!
The lights are way expensive at music stores, you gotta find somewhere to rent them from, I'm not sure where though, but i know you can rent them!
You can use those fluorescent light sticks on the stage, they kinda look like these
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... 24&bih=643
but honestly, I think at least test the waters in your area, a good size building would be like a high school basketball gym or smaller, not too small but not too big,
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:18 am
by ogunslinger
Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
Santa Clarita!
661!
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:19 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
There are a lot of industrial buildings in my area I guess I can shoot for like a half acre one.. The reason I said one acre was because thats how large MOST of the ones I can find are, though there are the odd 5000-10,000sqft warehouses.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:20 am
by Phigure
ogunslinger wrote:Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
Santa Clarita!
661!
oh nice, san clemente here
949
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:21 am
by shaneynclan
Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
serious. i'm in mid norcal, and saw datsik and excision here, but i'd like to see some local shit get thrown down.
especially if it's from forum members.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:22 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
shaneynclan wrote:Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
serious. i'm in mid norcal, and saw datsik and excision here, but i'd like to see some local shit get thrown down.
especially if it's from forum members.
Would mid norcal mean monterey/slo county?
805 reppin'
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:23 am
by Phigure
shaneynclan wrote:Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
serious. i'm in mid norcal, and saw datsik and excision here, but i'd like to see some local shit get thrown down.
especially if it's from forum members.
was it the one on July 23rd by any chance? I was up there visiting a friend that week and we went
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:57 am
by narcissus
my advice on location... go renegade..
don't know where in cali you live.. but either find a sick spot way out in the forest or on a secluded beach.. get a generator and some gas and you're good to go.
no cost for venue.. minimum hassle, and best of all no cops comin to ask you to turn it down! (if you choose location wisely..)
way fun!
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:27 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
narcissus wrote:my advice on location... go renegade..
don't know where in cali you live.. but either find a sick spot way out in the forest or on a secluded beach.. get a generator and some gas and you're good to go.
no cost for venue.. minimum hassle, and best of all no cops comin to ask you to turn it down! (if you choose location wisely..)
way fun!
You know I've actually been to a couple events like this in los padres national forest.. They are fun but there's no way to charge a door fee hehe. One of the reasons me and some friends wanna put this on is to raise money for a studio for production/recording local bands.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:42 am
by nowaysj
Once again, baby steps.
Throw a party and try to break even first. Make the party good, and all those people will come to the next one, plus all their friends.
Make that party good, then the next one...
I'd like to put a small dubstep party together, but like, no lights, 2,000 sqft max, no cover, good vibes.
---
Santa Clarita = Cal Arts for you Ogun?
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 4:51 am
by KALALASMOKESALOT
nowaysj wrote:Once again, baby steps.
Throw a party and try to break even first. Make the party good, and all those people will come to the next one, plus all their friends.
Make that party good, then the next one...
I'd like to put a small dubstep party together, but like, no lights, 2,000 sqft max, no cover, good vibes.
---
Santa Clarita = Cal Arts for you Ogun?
Awright awright.. Thanks man, that put it in perspective for me for sure

Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:52 am
by yong
KALALASMOKESALOT wrote:
805 reppin'
same
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:05 am
by shaneynclan
KALALASMOKESALOT wrote:shaneynclan wrote:Phigure wrote:ogunslinger wrote:My friends ended up throwing and help threw a few raves out here in socal, and I was going to help throw one a smaller more local one however we never followed through since someone beat us to the punch and it totally flopped.
Anyways your going to need a good amount of money if you want your party to be somewhat decent,
My advice is track down almost all of the equipment that you need and rent it! theres tons and tons of people that have almost everything you need, I've found some myself on craigslist and the prices were pretty good.
Second is buzz buzz buzz, you gotta get the word out . . . so that means flyers and a whole lot of networking, Schools are a great place to start.
Your going to need to hire a bit of security too, you can post a listing on craigslist in the jobs section and your bound to get some willing people, remember you gotta get fools with there guard card - Security is a must!!!!
also when trying to find a venue, don't say your event is a rave, rather say "Electronic Music Concert/Show (/Festival if your going to have thousands... which I doubt for your first

) Most building owners are old, and usually older people think raves = drugs... crazy people... and alot of problems.... so don't use the word rave!!!!!!
Then you need your talent... local talent is good if your starting out small, but if you bring at least one kinda big name, not saying like anyone BIG but, a level up from local talent, you will probably have a little more success
Theres a whole lot more you need to learn up on before you throw one! anyways if you have any more questions lemme know

socal eh? where abouts?
serious. i'm in mid norcal, and saw datsik and excision here, but i'd like to see some local shit get thrown down.
especially if it's from forum members.
Would mid norcal mean monterey/slo county?
805 reppin'
no man, i'm 916, sac area, which is more norcal i guess.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:19 am
by legend4ry
a light show at a dubstep show?

thats hilarious.. Who wants that??
You want a decent system in a nice bar/club.
You want to get at least 20-30 friends to be there within the first hour.... why? Because every time ive looked into a night and seen one man and his dog on the dancefloor, ive gone and done something else.You need to give the impression you're popular even if they've never heard of you..
When contacting venue owners you want to state that you will be playing live electronic music, don't state something like dubstep from the get-go, you want to get them interested and them to think that you know what you're doing before you drop a bomb shell like "yeah, its a dubstep night".
You want to charge just barely enough to earn a profit.. If your venue holds 200 people, costs 200 to rent out, throw the night for £4-5 - so you only have to 50ish people in there to break even (if you're not paying for artists). People like a cheap night out, even if the drinks are expensive, they can have their drinks before hand and then come to the dance.
Apart from all that ^..
Flyers are a must, you want to be flyering your event AT LEAST 2 weeks before it happens, standing outside popular bars what have the electronic music crowd every night of the week, hit up colleges/schools and try and get a flyer into as many peoples hands as possible...
Hope this helps.
Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:48 am
by JFK
Are all these numbers that you guys are posting your zip codes?
Im reppin
BA2!!! BITCHES English post codes arent as good are they.....

Re: Tips and tricks on throwing smaller dubstep shows/raves?
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:51 am
by Phigure
JFK wrote:Are all these numbers that you guys are posting your zip codes?
Im reppin
BA2!!! BITCHES English post codes arent as good are they.....

area codes
and no they aren't
Nine Fo Nine vs Bee. Ay. Two.