Workshop, Music

Workshop: Self-Promotion & Organising a Tour

with Katch Holmes (Presented by the Traditional Music Forum)

(Sat 27 Sep: 10:30am)

In this two-part development day, artists will be able to investigate some very important aspects of being a musician.

Shameless or not, some kind of self-promotion is necessary! The first half of the workshop will consider such questions as:
● Why and how to promote?
● What is my music?
● Who am I making it for?
● What do I want to get out of my practice?
● How do I describe my music?
● Do I need an ‘artist’ name?
● Is branding for me?

Participants will take a look at who they are as an artist, how they promote themselves, what they want to achieve, an understanding of a good biography, and a plan for next steps.

Touring is considered to be a vital part of being a musician, so the latter half of the workshop will cover:
● Whether and when to tour
● How to get the most out of it
● Practical steps such as how to build contacts, approach promoters, negotiate fees and costs, advance shows, and promoting your tour
● Agents, press support, and funding

The workshop will include practical exercises such as writing a pitch to programmers, and some things to consider if you are considering applying for funding. Participants should leave with a clearer sense of when and how to go about building and delivering a tour, and how to make touring work best for you.

Suitable for new musicians working out who they are, what they do and what direction they are headed, as well as established artists who wish to improve, reflect on or change their current direction or image.

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Katch Holmes has worked in the music industry in Scotland for 25 years. She has represented artists, commissioned new music, produced residencies and promoted gigs with folk and crossover music acts through her company Off Site Productions. She organises Knockengorroch roots music festival in Dumfries and Galloway. She sat on WOMEX selection panels in 2021 and 2017 and is a Relational Dynamics business coach working with professional creatives.

This workshop is presented by the Traditional Music Forum and is discounted for Forum members. To find out more about TMF activities and how to become a member, visit traditionalmusicforum.org.

• Workshop
• £30.00
• 27 September 2025
• 420 minutes
• 10:30
• Scottish Storytelling Centre
• Training Venue
• 16+