How to Find Gigs as a Musician
Great players miss out on gigs every week for one reason: the people booking never knew they existed. Here are twelve places musicians find paid work, and how to turn a first gig into a regular one.
12 places to find gigs
1. Gig and booking platforms
Put yourself where organizers are already looking. On Rifflynk, churches, venues, schools, and event teams post roles, and musicians who play that instrument nearby get notified. You set your travel radius, so you only see gigs you would actually drive to.
2. Sub work for other musicians
The fastest way in. Bands and church teams always need fill-ins. Tell every musician you know that you sub, and answer fast when they call.
3. Bars, restaurants, and coffee shops
Lots of rooms book local acts weekly. Go in on a quiet afternoon, ask who books music, and leave a short sample link.
4. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries
Often looking for acoustic duos and small bands on weekends, and usually friendlier to newer acts than big venues.
5. Weddings
Ceremony musicians, cocktail-hour sets, and reception bands. Higher pay, booked months ahead. Connect with wedding planners and venues.
6. Private and corporate events
Parties, galas, fundraisers, company events. Event planners keep lists of reliable players — get on them.
7. Churches
Churches book live music every single week, and many pay players, subs, and holiday musicians. See How to Become a Paid Church Musician.
8. Schools and universities
Musicals and pit orchestras, concerts that need extra players, graduations, and campus events.
9. Community events and festivals
Farmers markets, city festivals, holiday events, and summer concert series often book local acts months in advance — apply early in the year.
10. Senior living and hospitals
Steady daytime gigs that many musicians overlook.
11. Teaching and session work
Not gigs exactly, but they keep you playing and meeting people who book.
12. Your own audience
House concerts and self-promoted shows. Harder, but everything you build stays yours.
Get your materials ready
- A sample. 30–90 seconds of clean audio or video. Bookers rarely hire someone they cannot hear.
- A short bio. What you play, the settings you work in, and why you are easy to book.
- Your rate and availability. Clear numbers save everyone time.
- A complete profile. Our guide: How to Build a Musician Profile That Gets Booked.
How to pitch
- Find the actual person who books.
- Keep it short: who you are, what you play, a sample link, and two or three dates you are free.
- Follow up once, a week later. Then move on politely.
What to charge
Rates depend on your market, set length, travel, gear, and the type of event. Private events and weddings usually pay more than bar gigs. Decide your minimum, quote it up front, and agree on everything before the date. For church rates by instrument, see our church musician rate guide.
Turn one gig into ten
- Arrive early and be easy to work with.
- Play for the room, not for yourself.
- Promote public shows — bookers notice who brings people.
- Thank the booker and ask about the next date before you leave.
- Collect ratings and referrals as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do musicians find gigs?
Most gigs come from a mix of relationships and visibility: other musicians who need subs, venue bookers, wedding and event planners, churches, schools, and online platforms. Musicians who get steady work keep a complete profile, reply quickly, and make it easy to say yes.
Where can I find gigs near me?
Start local: bars and restaurants with live music, coffee shops, breweries and wineries, churches, schools and community events, wedding and event planners, and other musicians who need subs. A platform like Rifflynk lets organizations near you post roles and notifies musicians who play that instrument.
How do I get my first paid gig?
Record a short, clean sample, put together a simple profile or one-page press kit, and offer to sub for other musicians or play shorter slots. Over-prepare, show up early, and ask for a referral afterward.
How much should I charge for a gig?
It depends on your market, the type of event, set length, travel, and gear. Private events and weddings usually pay more than bar gigs. Decide a minimum for your time and quote clearly up front.
How do I get booked again?
Be early, prepared, and easy to work with, promote the show if it is public, thank the booker, and ask about the next date before you leave.