Post Show Depression: Promoter Edition

Sometimes I’d rather get a finger cut off than deal with the pressure of being a promoter. Okay you’re right, that’s a little morbid. But I mean if it was easy everyone would do it, right? Okay okay let’s backtrack. I love being a promoter. Sometimes the pressure makes me want to cut my fingers off. Wait. I think that’s worse. Discretion- that was completely satire. Anywho, Post Show Depression, what’s that and why hasn’t anyone talked about it? 

I think I can speak for other promoters when I say we truly do this for the love of the game. Late night flyer designs, emails, marketing, let’s not forget that one band that always drops off a day before the show. Tip: Don’t be that band. Tip #2: Don’t be the band that’s known for dropping off a day before. A lot goes on behind the scenes of throwing a show and although it seems like a pretty easy side gig, it actually takes up nearly every moment of our time and makes us want to gauge our eyes out because they hurt so bad from staring at our phones all day. I’m starting to think I might just be a morbid person. Okay, moving on. 

Post Show Depression can feel different for everyone, but the consensus of it is feeling sad that it’s over, glad it’s over, wishing you did more, and knowing you’re going to do it all over again. After a show I often find myself wondering if all of this is still for me while simultaneously believing it's everything I've ever wanted. Though, the community sets a standard for promoters that makes all of this go from a passionate idea to a full time job and once your passion begins to feel like work it’s easy to get burned out. We spend months orchestrating the fine print of a show all whilst hearing non promoters give us constructive criticism. It’s important to take that with a grain of salt by the way. 

The relief you feel after having a show you worked on for months is quite something, but the wave of heaviness that hits when you get everything packed up and make it back home can be the hardest part. Seeing kids smile, engaged with the music, buying band merch, is so rewarding you can’t help but think, “can I do this again, but better and bigger?”, “can I do more for them?” Then before you know it you’re glued to the calendar with another idea working on the next thing even though an hour ago you were like fuck this. This whole thing is contradictory, I know I know. 

The best part of being a promoter is being a part of something. For a lot of us music is integrated so deeply within us, going to shows is a tailored part of our identity and to be the one that gets to make them happen restores a lost piece of myself. Not to be too emo or anything. 

The mixed emotions are normal. We all feel it, it’s just not talked about enough. It’s a ton of pressure and work. It makes us happy, makes us stressed. We do this for the love of the game. So, keep throwing shows, stray the current, and remember: If it was easy, everyone would do it.