MUSICIANS

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We did a 6 week tour last year and made sure we did the same again this year. Great way to spend January and February...amazing gigs and great skiing. Best 6 weeks of our lives! Awesome.
Your Mum // guilford and La Tania

Gigz Management was established in 1998 with the aim of supplying the top venues in the French Alps with quality live party bands and DJ's.

Having established itself as the premiere live music agency in the French Alps, the company now also specialises in providing live music and DJ's for UK based corporate, wedding and large party events.

We are looking for young, talented and professional musicians, bands and event DJ's.

Our aim is to provide the acts on our books with well paid work all year round.

SKI SEASON WORK

Read How ”The Feeling” started out….it could be just what your band needs!

Playing in a band to enthusiastic audiences in beautiful surroundings with all day to ski or snowboard, is without doubt the best way in the world to spend a winter.
Ten winter seasons as a musicians and booking agents in the French Alps have given us a unique understanding and insight into all aspects of band management in an Alpine resort.

By using the broad range of knowledge and contacts that Gigz management have built up over the last ten years the agency aims to make the season both financially profitable and enjoyable for the artists that we represent.

Gigz management also has a successful English based booking agency for weddings, parties and corporate events. Bands on the agencies books also enjoy a busy summer schedule.

We are looking for young, talented party bands, duo’s, soloists and DJ’s who are interested in doing a ski season in the French Alps and/or securing well paid summer work.

GIGS / VENUES

The season begins around the 20th of December and finishes around the until the 3rd week in April. Bands/duo have to do a minimum tour of 3 weeks (ideally longer).

The capacity of the venues varies from 60 – 350 people and most bars offer a small stage.

The gigs are easy work in that you are playing to people who are on holiday and usually up for a party. The bands are employed to create a good atmosphere, get the crowd partying, drinking and singing as much as possible with a view to encouraging them to return. In general the most effective songs are up beat party tunes; a combination of funky tunes, rock n’ roll, standard classics and sing-a-long tunes. A lot of this is initially by trial and error and gets easier as you get to know the venues. There is a chance to play some up beat original songs early on in a set.

Each gig consists of two one hour sets (usually with a few encores), although this can depend on each individual venue manager.

There is potential for some chill-out gigs and also the chance at some venues to play outside on the terrace as the season progresses.

Bands are expected to provide their own high quality P.A. and equipment. There are music shops in Moutiers and Albertville. Bring loads of strings, your own soldering iron, extension leads, French-English adapters, fuses etc.

All performances dates with venues are fully contracted for the season as is any agreement with Gigz Management and the artists they represent. The majority of the gigs (6 a week) are situated within half an hour’s drive of the accommodation sites, with the possibility of one evening gig a week being a 2 hour round trip.

Professionalism at all the venues is essential if regular gigs are to be kept over the whole season. It is imperative that the band hits the ground running and “blows people away” from the start of the first week, especially the venue managers. We take no financial responsibility for a band loosing a gig through dissatisfied owner/managers or un-professionalism on the bands part.

Follow these simple guidelines.

1. Good time keeping
2. Proper sound check
3. No excessive drinking while playing
4. Co-operate with managers (especially over noise level requests)
5. Be relaxed, easy going and enjoy yourself.

DUO’s
The duo/soloist have the advantage of having the majority of their gigs within a ten minute drive of Meribel/ Val d’Isere/ Chamonix centre.
It is important that both have strong vocals and can harmonise well. The more instruments played, for a variety of sounds, the better. (Rhythm and electric guitar or rhythm and bass work well)
You will need an extensive and wide ranging set list. With certain gigs the aim will be to get the place partying and singing along whereas with other gigs it will be more relaxed.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is getting more and more difficult to find in the Alps every year.
Each band/duo has a shared chalet or apartment with 2 rooms with two single beds in each room. There is a shared living room area and full cooking facilities. Bands/duos are expected to pay a small deposit for accommodation. This is reimbursed at the end of the season after an inventory check.

TRANSPORT

The band is expected to drive themselves and their equipment out to the resorts for the 20th of December.

It is essential that bands have their own reliable transport ( ideally a van) to get themselves and the equipment to the various gigs.

The vehicles need to be in good condition as they take a real battering in the cold conditions.

Do not leave equipment in cars or lying around unattended as stuff has been stolen in the past.

A good set of snow chains is essential and should be bought once you arrive. Fuel is cheap in France and insurance essential.

PERKS

Meals included with each gig.

Cheap (approximately £300 ) workers season ski passes (one Valley!). The duo in Chamonix will have to pay £450 for a pass as there is no workers passes.

Day times free to ski or snowboard.

Free beer,wine and soft drinks while playing.

Bands on the agencies books also enjoy a busy summer schedule.

PAYMENT
The facts and figures in the proposal have been devised with a four piece band in mind.
Each member of the band will be paid a minimum of 700 Euros for doing 6 gigs each week (roughly £500 clear after rent is paid). Cash is paid at the end of each performance by the venue manager and invoices are provided to each venue by the agency.
Each musician/bands needs to have an E101 form which shows that you pay class 2 self employed national insurance contributions in the UK and allow you to work legally in France (you are also expected to declare your earnings to the Inland Revenue once you return). In order for us to process these forms we need each member to be registered as self employed in the UK at least 4 months prior to the tour starting. We will advise on what you need to do.

Any interested production companies, bands or duos should send ;

(1) A general biog. of the band (gig record, equipment, ages....)
(2) A video/ or live demo with simple unedited live footage of the band performing 8-10 songs from their set.
(3) A full set list.

Click here to read more.