Being new on your local music scene can be exciting and yet overwhelming. I met the person who gave me the opportunity to play my first live show ever at their own gig. Our band had just started and we weren't really sure how to get ourselves there. With everyone from the Berlin music scene. I mean, putting yourself out in the world is always a bit awkward. There are so many layers to be discovered. Venues, booking opportunities, cliques of different music styles.
The good news is: this integration almost always happens naturally. Over time, faces may become more familiar and nods of recognition may become frequent. Little do we realize the scene needs us just as much as we want to be part of it. Here’s how you can get more involved. For the sake of keeping this article concise and on-point some of the links references will be specific to our home city of Berlin and the Berlin music scene but many of these practices and platforms can be found in many major cities.

Research

Welcome to your local music scene. Everyone knows everyone and you seem very lost and unsure where to start. That guy who’s a sound engineer knows the drummer of that band who’s friends with a friend of a friend. Somehow, everyone’s connected.
First things first: research. Begin by browsing the internet for information about music venues, events, and bands. Make sure to follow local music publications to stay informed about upcoming shows and activities. Resident Advisor, Bands in Town, and Songkick, are examples of websites that can be quite helpful!
→ Resident Advisor: https://ra.co/events/de/berlin
→ Bands in Town: https://www.bandsintown.com/
→ Songkick: https://www.songkick.com/
Participating in digital communities that are dedicated to your local music scene to gain insights, ask questions, and build connections can be also very helpful. Another tip is to also seek out workshops and masterclasses that serve musicians of all skill levels. Educational opportunities often allow you to network with other musicians and instructors. Berlin-centric platforms include Music Pool Berlin, Noisy Rehearsal Rooms Community Board, and Meetup such as our Music Marketing Meetup! → https://www.meetup.com/berlinmusicians/
In Berlin, for example, you can count on several online platforms to help with your local networking. Facebook is still a thing here and groups can be a good way to connect with other local musicians with a lot in common. Don’t be shy and subscribe for workshops with Musicpool. What about a beer with some local artists through Meetups?



Attend to Gigs
Audiences at local gigs are also made up of other local musicians. So don’t be shy! Chat, buy the merch. Ask questions and exercise your skills of socializing. These are always great opportunities to not only network but also hear new music, check promising artists and check out venues.
Choose these shows based on events that seem interesting for you and align with the type of music you like to listen to. Joining is also a way of supporting and showing that you’re there to help the band succeed. Being part of the local music scene means genuine support.
Tune-in & Offer Help
Don’t forget to follow your recent local music discoveries on Social Media - from venues to artists themselves. You’ll be showing not only your support but also staying connected and hearing about new projects or upcoming shows. Another good idea is to create a contact database of artists and music people with their contacts (email, phone, social media). Offer other artists help. It’s time to show all your skills. Good with graphic design? What about offering to produce their next gig’s poster? Bands often need help setting their gig or documenting live performances.
Introduce Yourself
Speak out and introduce yourself when attending any kind of music event. From musicians to organizers or music enthusiasts. Networking is crucial for building your reputation in the local music scene and even a brief introduction can result in lasting relationships and future opportunities. Don’t forget to reach out after meeting new people! It’s important to remind them of your meeting. Send links and all the material you think might be relevant!