Your first point of call is choose a local establishment that you think would rate your style of music. That might be a local bar, a club or a cafe. You might want to even target upcoming local events. Many public events (often run by your local council) require music to create atmosphere. Check out your local events calendar for the year and find those that you think would suit your playing/performance styles.

Almost all establishments and events rely on patronage to judge success. Each establishment and event will inturn have a target market of people whom they are looking to attract. If you are not sure who they are targetting, go and see the manager or event organiser. They'll tell you.

Once you have an idea of who a venue or event is targetting, you can then decide whether your style will 'fit the bill'.

For example, if you're part of a heavy rock act, it's probably not much use targetting an inner-city cafe in daytime trading areas! Although there are exceptions to every rule, so if in doubt... find out.

Realguitarhero.com.au recommends the following music styles vs. venue/event:

YOUR ACT	SUITABLE VENUE	SUITABLE EVENT
Solo/Duo Originals Performer	Cafe	Folk-type event
Solo/Duo Covers Performer	Pub - Sunday session	Small parties/Weddings
Covers Band - Soft Rock Covers Band - Hard Rock	Sports or RSL Club Pub - Saturday nt	Wedding Bike Show/Parties
Originals Band - Folk/Roots Originals Band - Indy Originals Band - Metal	Cafe/Bar Pub/Bar Hard rock bars	Markets Youth Event Youth Event/Festival

Remember to be adaptable. It's good practice to have a few songs of all styles up your sleeves ready to punch out to a requester. People will ask for their favourite songs if you're playing covers (and sometimes when you're playing originals!) so try and learn current popular songs as well as the classics.

As a general guide, you should keep the slower songs for the start of the night and as everyone warms up (usually with a few beers) pull out your more dancier numbers to get the crowd going. Everyone likes a sing-a-long or a dance. If you find your songs just aren't cutting it and no one is interested, try out a new jam or ask for requests (only if you know a lot of songs!).