The challenges facing those that currently work in the Music Industry (or that would like to) seem to be ever increasing.
A number of historic venues are closing down, recording studios are struggling and we are being forever told that no one is buying albums anymore.
A lot of this has been blamed on the effect of the Internet, and many people say it has changed the nature of our industry forever. Whether you consider it a good thing or not, the reality is that musicians need to make the Internet work for them.
One thing the Internet does let us do is get a good feel for the well-being of different parts of the industry and one important it tells us is that live music is still in demand.
People are still booking bands for weddings, corporate events, functions, birthday parties and just about any other event you can think of.
Online agencies and websites are making it easier than ever to connect clients with the types of entertainment they want.
This is where LastMinuteMusicians.com comes in. A site created by musicians, for musicians.
If you’re looking to give your music career a boost by getting more gigs, Last Minute Musicians is here to help.
Just wanted to say that your website is great, I have already secured 4 gigs and only been on your website for a few weeks, whatever you’re doing it is working!
AJ Lewis
About Last Minute Musicians
LastMinuteMusicians.com is one of the UK’s most popular sites for sourcing live entertainment. More than just a directory – it’s the most convenient way to find the right act for your event and a great way to get more bookings as a musician.
Visitors to the site browse act’s profiles, read reviews, listen to audio, watch videos and choose from an ever-increasing roster of high quality musicians, bands, entertainers and related companies.
For musicians, this is a chance to increase the volume of enquiries and bookings, without having to worry about agency commission.
Case Study: Charlie Hole
In 2013, Charlie decided to move to London to pursue a serious career in music. He’d previously made a reasonable living on the pub + restaurant scene in his hometown of Bournemouth, but this was all based on word of mouth references and he found himself traveling back every weekend, rather than working in London itself.
Charlie knew if he was to make enough money to survive on in the capital, he would have to be able to translate this into regular wedding and function work. It was at this point he signed up for for Last Minute Musicians.
I was reticent at first as there was a small sign up fee, but I eventually took a chance on it, and it paid off ten times over within a week when I got my first gig. I just put a little page up, advertising myself as a function singer…
Charlie Hole
Charlie is now making a living as a full-time musician, and is able to spend the rest of his time song-writing and working on other endeavours. You can view his Last Minute Musicians profile here.
How It Works
Any band or artist wishing to be featured on the Last Minute Musician’s Directory can register, build a profile and have it featured online for potential clients to view.
Rather than taking commission from an act’s fee, Last Minute Musicians charges a set amount to be featured on the site and takes no commission at all.
The Last Minute Musician’s Directory has over 57,000 customers every month, with 30,000 enquiries being sent in the last 12 months alone.
Potential clients browse the website to find the right act for their event. They can look at acts by category, search or sometimes look through the Last Minute Musician’s Articles for advice.
Once a client sends an enquiry to an act, they can then negotiate and keep 100% of the resulting fee.
Remember: Just one gig is all it takes to make back your membership fee!
Clients can then leave feedback on your page to encourage other bookings, and you have unlimited edits and revisions of your profile for your entire membership. You can even embed the ratings widget on your own website.
What our members say:
LMM is our primary source of enquiries with a high conversion rate. Not by any means all last minute bookings, but high value business in some lovely venues and locations. By far the best ‘advertising’ investment for us
Live Lounge
Out of my many internet listings, LastMinuteMusicians.com is by far the most successful. I’d guess my LMM listing is responsible for roughly 70% of all of my gigs – thanks a lot!
John Slater
I have tried other listings sites and they weren’t much good, and so I tell musicians who I like and respect that there are indeed hundreds of listings sites out there, but most are a waste of time and money, LMM seems to be the most effective. I have 3 listings which have all more than paid for themselves.
Daniel Benisty
We’re really pleased with lastminutemusicians, it’s a great idea. The website is clear & attractive and the profile is easy to update. A few acts we know have also joined and are very happy with the results. Many thanks for a great service!
Monsta Ball
I came here to write a review, because, literally, this site is changing my life. I’ve done a lot of years work based on word of mouth – and hopefully still will! But digging deep, going out of my comfort zone and advertising: utilising this site and giving as much information as possible on my profile, has worked absolute wonders for my business. I find the site easy to use, inexpensive, encouraging, helpful… Checking my emails has never been so much fun! I came here to say thank you Last Minute Musicians! P.s I’d love to work for you! 🙂
Clea Llewellyn
Signing up to Last Minute Musicians has changed my life! I Have done 27 gigs so far this year through enquiries from this site (I was offered a residency early on and got a lot of repeat bookings). This has lead to my act and voice getting even better. There are 22 more gigs booked in and enquiries still coming in for this year and next. I couldn’t be happier. I thought I was too old to start a career as a singer in my late 30’s, but it’s the best risk I ever took. I strongly recommend anyone who wants regular gigs to sign up!
Gloria Sunset
The History of Last Minute Musicians
LastMinuteMusicians.com was set up in 2003 by Adam Hughes and Chris Walmsley, two musicians that met studying at Trinity College of Music in London. It has now grown to a site with over 1850 + active members and a team of ten people.
Adam Hughes started his musical career at the age of 8 and has played both classical and jazz cocktail piano for the last 22 years.
He has performed at well over 2000 engagements all round Europe since the age of 13, with a broad range of highly respected musicians including Tina May, Andy Sheppard, Steve Waterman, Paul Clarvis, Guy Barker, Ian Thomas, Mark Nightingale, John Parricelli, Malcolm Creese, Dave Cliff, Tim Whitehead, Mark Lockheart and Alan Barnes amongst others.
Adam is associated with many societies and events throughout the UK including: Southampton Choral Society, Bournemouth University Music, London Jazz Festival, London’s Riverfront Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Club, Trinity College of Music, Swanage Jazz Festival, Marcus Mingus Jazz Club Belgium, Litten Tree Jazz Festival.
Chris Walmsley began playing the drums at the age of 11 and has toured extensively across Europe and the USA, as well as playing on several major label releases.
Chris’s career as a professional musician started with the band Voice of The Seven Woods with whom he released five EP’s and one album on Twisted Nerve records from 2006-2007. He has also worked as a session musician, recording drums for Miles Kane’s album “Colour of the Trap” (Columbia/Sony Records) Psapp’s album “The Camel’s Back” (Domino records), “Hotel Shampoo” by Gruff Rhys (Ovni/Turnstile) and countless other albums and singles.
Chris has also released two EP’s of his own material on Twisted Nerve Records and Poptones Records and has been playing as part of Kelpe for the past five years. Chris also plays live with Gruff Rhys and the band Neon Neon with whom he recently performed the theatre/music collaboration Praxis Makes Perfect in London, Bristol and Cardiff.
Frequently Asked Questions
(for more FAQ click here)
How much does it cost to be a member of Last Minute Musicians?
Prices for listings start at just £39.99 for just 6 months, but the longer you sign up for, the more money you’ll save. Remember, all it takes is one confirmed gig and your listing has paid for itself. For full details of pricing, please visit our register page.
Do you take commission off of any bookings I get?
You keep 100% of any fees secured through the Last Minute Musicians Directory.
When will my profile be active?
You can build and preview your profile without activating it. This gives you a chance to edit your listing and get it looking perfect before you pay anything and before it is viewed by potential clients. The listing will activate as soon as you make a successful payment.
How many revisions can I make to my profile?
You can edit your profile as many times as you like.
To join Last Minute Musicians please register
If you have any more questions regarding Last Minute Musicians, why not take the tour around the website? Or feel free to contact us.
To share your stories and experiences of how Last Minute Musicians has helped your career, please leave comments below and remember to share this article with anyone that may find it useful.
