Don’t Compete with the Couch: How to Get People to Your Gigs, Bar Band to Theater Band & AI for Musicians with Paul Kent

Gig Gab was Paul Kent’s idea, and he’s back in the co-host chair with 27 years of running the ten-piece Houserockers behind him. You’ll hear how Dave’s Underground band learns a whole new themed set every six weeks at the Seacoast Rep, why moving from bars to an 800-seat theater starts with deciding you are a theater band, and the frequency-versus-scarcity tension every local act wrestles with. Paul’s answer to the fan who says they’ll catch you next time is blunt: stop competing with the couch. Find the people already looking to get out, let them get to know the band and each other, and host a two-hour party every single night.

Then it’s AI for working musicians: gig posters, the Kanban booking tracker Paul built in half a day, lead lists, email campaigns, and Dave’s case for AI as the ultimate procrastination killer. Plus, a condo neighbor storms a 9:55 PM rehearsal demanding the band wrap by 8:30, and finds out he picked the wrong Dave. Stick around to hear who actually coined Always Be Performing.

00:00:00 Gig Gab 558 – Monday, November 2nd, 2026


November 2nd: World Ballet Day
Co-hosts: Paul Kent and Dave Hamilton



00:02:36 Roberto’s The Loving Mosh
00:03:02 Gig Gab as a marketing tool
00:04:53 Paul’s 5 Projects


The Houserockers – Ten piece corporate band
Solo Gigs
Various 4pc bands



00:07:32 Paul’s Houserockers Summer
00:08:37 Dave’s Gigs
00:10:44 The Underground Model
00:18:21 Rotating Tribute Band
00:21:06 Evolving from a bar band to a theater band
00:22:57 Mixing bar gigs in with your theater band
00:24:01 SPONSOR: Warby Parker – Our listeners can buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/GIGGAB — and using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad
00:25:28 Frequency vs. Scarcity
00:27:29 Creating a band with a local presence


Build your mailing list!
Two ticketed, four-walled events per year



00:31:51 Audience Curation


What about: If I can see you “next time”, I won’t go “this time”?



00:34:19 Finding the right people


The Gig Gab Green Room
Don’t compete with the couch: find your true fans.
Market to people who already want to get off the couch!
Let people get to know each other AND get to know the band
Live music is a visual art
You are the curator of an emotional experience for people
Create a social contract: “For two hours we’re gonna hang out together, let’s have some fun.”
Related: Your Competition Is the Couch with Neonautica (Gig Gab 555)



00:41:37 Embrace your role as a facilitator for giving people a break!
00:42:25 AI: Renaissance or Doomsday?


feedback@giggabpodcast.com



00:45:03 AI as a tool for running bands


Making gig posters with the help of AI



00:50:30 Paul’s Gig Tracker Pro


ChatGPT
Kanban Chart
Build a lead list: “Find all booking contacts for my area”
Bounce booking ideas
Workshop an email campaign
AI is the best procrastination eliminator, bar none.



00:57:50 Using AI


Instinct
Muse
Grok Bot



01:01:04 Noise Complaints!
01:08:52 Gig Gab 558 Outro


Contact Paul Kent


PaulKentMusic.com
SVHouserockers.com



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