Artist Booking Policy

[LEMONJELLO'S IS NOT ACCEPTING NEW SHOW REQUESTS UNTIL AUGUST]

Lemonjello's has two goals. One is to be known for serving the best coffee in West Michigan. The other is to introduce people to music that is sincere, that has more to it than fashion, that infuses pop culture with artistic integrity. I am picky about what artists I book. There is a combination of artistic integrity and musical ability that must be there.

Unless I contact you because I have stumbled upon your work or it has been recommended to me, here is how to book yourself at Lemonjello's:

1. Submit a link to your myspace, purevolume, or EPK via email from our contact page. NO myspace messages. NO phone calls.

2. Tell me where you’re from, the band or artist's name, and the contact person's name.

3. Understand that priority goes to local/regional artists, especially those who have played here before and are building a following.

4. If you don't hear from me right away, don't fret.
Wait 4-6 weeks before contacting me. I am very very busy and usually book 2-3 months ahead. I listen to every demo I'm sent, but I will only email you if I'm interested and I have an opening. Don't call. I have customers to help when I'm at the store.

Venue Info*

(Last Modified: April 2008)
*by confirming a show, you are confirming you have read and understand the following venue statements and policies.

Show Nights. Fridays are our main show night, usually with 3-4 artists and a $3 cover. We host a variety of styles ranging from folk to rock, from songwriters to bands. We try to listen to what folks want. We try to pair new artists with someone better known. In exchange for doing our best at promoting your show, we want to encourage you to work hard at putting together a show that will help your career. We occasionally do shows on other nights for artists with a sure draw.

National Acts. We sometimes bring in national acts and set a higher cover charge. We don't have the budget to do a lot of these shows, but if you are an artist that's touring, has a growing reputation, and is somewhat known and marketable to the Hope College and local market here, we'll consider you. In these cases, we'll do an honorarium vs. ticket split. We prefer to do Thursday or Friday shows because we get the best turn out on those nights.

Unsigned Touring Acts. We give priority to local/regional artists. Unless you can promote locally, it’s hard to make enough at the door for touring artists to pay expenses. I will only consider an artist if they’re a good fit for the bill and they have another show near enough that their travel expenses are lower.

Artist Payment. Artists are paid $1 per head at the door. Most nights our cover is $3. New local artists may be asked to play just for exposure. If you're traveling more than an hour, you may ask for a $40 guarantee for gas. If you are a signed artist, we will consider an honorarium and a higher cover charge. All artists are allowed to sell merchandise. Since you're being paid per attendee, put some effort into promoting. If you need lodging, ask ahead. We can usually offer you a place to crash if we have notice.

Guests. Any guests an artist brings beyond 1 roadie will be expected to pay the cover charge. Girlfriends, moms, and friends should be willing to support you like everyone else.

Drinks. We do give artists free drinks the night of the show. This does not include guests you invite.

Demographic. Lemonjello's is located one block from Hope College in busy downtown Holland, Michigan. Our main draw for live music events is local college and high school students. Our adult clientele are welcome and encouraged to stop by on a show night. Attendance ranges from 60 to 100+ folks. Our maximum capacity is 80. We let that stretch to 125 for busier shows if no one tells on us.

Promotion. We promote via our website & myspace, local flyers, flyers at Hope College, word of mouth, in-store promotion (flyers and playing your music on our playlist), and inclusion in Event Listings in local presses. Local bands/artists are responsible for hanging up their own flyers around town. If you’re from out of town and send us flyers, we’ll try to find someone to put them up. If you want people to come see you, put some work into it. If you can prove to us that folks are interested in your music, you're more likely to be invited back.

Disclaimer. Because we are an all ages venue, we retain the right to stop an artist at any time during their performance if we feel the content or artist's attitude is inappropriate for the audience present. Please refrain from excessive swearing, graphic material, etc.

Equipment. We have a 12 channel board, 1-3 monitors, 5+ mics and stands depending on the need, plenty of cords and outlets. You must provide instruments, amps, and instrument cables. In most cases, we run guitar amps live because of the space's size. We also have a lovely 6 light system to make the 'stage' area feel a bit more like a stage. You can email sound questions to us on the contact page with the subject line "attn: sound." We ask that you NOT bring any of your own sound equipment without first getting our permission. We have had too many things disappear because of equipment getting mixed.

Thanks, Matt and the Lemonjello's staff...