How we make online release parties
How Nugaze.com broadcasts shows on the web, about the content we promote and what it takes to make a good release party.
Choosing the right platform
There are countless platforms to broadcast live video online. To name but a few:
- Youtube live: a no brainer, but it’s hard to get crowds on it
- Facebook: the prison you love to hate. FB business model is now to shorter your reach and sell you your own audience.
- Twitch: the new kid in town, very user friendly.
- Twitter: it’s got some advantages, but who goes to Twitter/Periscope to watch for live video?
- Instagram: for stories/ephemeral videos (no replay after 24 hours).
Our stack of tools
- We use Restream.io to broadcast to Twitch, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.
- The chat takes place on these platforms: each consumer keeps using his prefered social network.
Tip: when we tried to connect Restream with Youtube and Twitter/Periscope, we encountered some errors.
To troubleshoot the connection with Periscope: create a Periscope account before your attempt to connect Restream with Twitter.
To troubleshoot the connection with Youtube: launch a live video (click the camera icon > go live). Then Youtube will show a message that tells it needs 24 hours before allowing live streaming.
Prepare for live streaming
Live streaming is hard. Remember those technical problems that TV live show are used to experience?
Record
We ask bands to record their videos and store them on Youtube as unlisted videos, then add the links to a collaborative Youtube playlist we create.
- A month before the event: we put up a setlist on google docs and ask bands and labels to create some videos on their own and store them on their Youtube account as unlisted
- 2–3 weeks before: we send the link to the playlist, so that they can add their videos
- 1 week before: we close the playlist (to avoid spam and bad manipulations), add the jingles to the playlist, and set all the videos in the broadcasting order.
Design chart
We have a special private playlist with jingles. We just have to pick the jingles to add them to the release party playlist. This helps to have a consistent design.
The setlist
We have a google doc that we share with bands and speakers one month before the event.
Ideas of content
What makes a good release party?
What sort of news can upply for our release parties?
Any news about a nugaze / shoegaze / ethereal waves / noisetronica bands and labels :
- music video release
- audio release (bandcamp, soundcloud, record, K7, Spotify….):
you’ll have to create a short video around it (see suggetsions below) - crowdfunding announcement
- tour announcement
- etc: be creative!
News about shoegaze medias, venues, festivals, and guitar pedal brands are also welcome.
Presentation
Do a short video to present each band member. You may also present your staff (sound engineer, manager, record label boss…).
Twinterviews
We don’t do interviews: Twinterviews are more efficient for band promotion. It’s up to you to set a Twinterview with another band:
Blind test
You may have a blind test with the band you twinterview: let him ear a small extract of a song and let him guess the title of the song, the artist. Then talk together about this record…
NB: to avoid video shutdown due to right managements, please don’t let the audio of the track in the video. You may replace this audio extract by some comments of the band you interview.
It could also be a record cover test: just show record covers, and let your guest guess the name of the record, the artist. Then talk together about this record…
You may give hints to help your guest…
Influences
Do a video to talk about the bands that influenced you. You may also make a record review of your influences (talk about records and bands that influenced you, show these records, etc.).
If you do a twinterview, it can be interesting to make a part of it around the influences of both bands.
Tshirt collection
We love to see fans and artists exhibit their music tshirt and hoodies collection. It’s another interesting way to talk about music and influences: where you bought that tshirt, at which concert or festival, etc.
Pedal show
Show your pedal board, and talk about your fav gear.
Studio report
You may submit a video about how you recorded your release.
Live set
You may record a small live set in rehearsal or from home to show a bunch of tracks. Keep it short (1 to 4 tracks, 3 to 15mn maximum).
Program
We try to invite from around 6 artists and stick under 1h30.
- Introducing by the guest presenter: setlist announcement: around 3mn
- Release N°1: around 4mn
- Twinterview: 10mn max
- Release N°2: around 4mn
- Blind test: 10mn max
- Release N°3: around 4mn
- Live set: 15mn max
- Release N°4: around 4mn
- Studio report: around 5mn
- Release N°5: around 4mn
- Tshirt collection: around 5mn
- Release N°6: around 4mn
- Pedal show: 10mn max
- News around shoegaze (blog posts, radio shows, etc.): 10mn max
- Conclusion by the presenter: recap, goodbye, etc.: around 3mn.
Host a release party with Nugaze.com
Sounds interesting? Host a release party with us! (It’s free)
Conclusion
“MTV for shoegaze, in the interview age” is our motto.
Don’t miss the party!
Come and chat with the bands and other shoegaze fans worldwide:
- Reserve your seat on facebook: it’s free!
- Get an invitation via Google Agenda
