So I totally had a revelation last night.  I've crossed over into uncool.  Not because of my actions or music or demeanor, but because of my AGE!!

When my band plays onstage at venues, most of the audience stays back.  We always wondered about that, even if we were RIPPING it up.  And then some of the other bands get on stage and then everybody goes up.  Now, a lot of that has to do with the fact that a lot of these bands bring a crap ton of friends to shows, and all of our friends are working stiffs, parents, people with mortgages, that have long-passed sowed their wild oats, and are now content with having a cup of decaf before bed while watching the evening news.
 
So I had a revelation last night.  The same thing happened, and then I started looking at all of the people in the audience.  They were all 20-somethings.  My band's lead singer is 33, and I am 44.  My drummer is 47 and so is my guitarist.  We are their parents age!!  When I was a kid, seeing an older band play live - unless they were a blues band or something, I was like, "man, give IT UP!!!!".  LOL.  So I believe we have firmly crossed over that threshold.  
 
I guess the point of this thread, is that how do bands find older audiences - ones that aren't at Bingo meets and Church Suppers?  We play Rock music, influenced by classic rock, and '80's-'90's bands.  Bands which happen to be the general audience's "Parent's Music".  

 
Have you ever been to Branson?
 
 
 
edit the spelling

Hey Mike, NO we haven't been to Branson yet!

That's a hard question, "How do bands find audiences?".
Maybe it could be made easier; "How do audiences find bands?".
 
It seems if you figure out how the audiences find bands then it would
be easier to "get" them.
 
 
 I just thought of something....
I've read it but I also know some people that new SRV before
he "made it". They told me it was incredible that they heard him
while walking down the sidewalk and they were just drawn into the
place to check out who was playing that guitar and then where blown
away at the energy that he gave off. No doubt having the right bait
helps the hunter.
 
 
 
 
 

spindlebox
how do bands find older audiences 

Twitter?

Yell "Bingo!" or "Bless this food" between songs...?
 
(just following the lead :)

Wisconsin Public Radio's Sunday broadcast of "To the Best of Our Knowledge" was dedicated to the subject of Memes.
 
I think any one who wants to live as an artists can benefit from learning a bit about the concept of memes and how abstracted ideas of memetics can be specifically applied to a discussion about "How do bands find audiences?" as well as "How do audiences find bands?".
 
I think a lot of artistic people make art... but some don't know why. No one has to know why either, but sometimes it can be helpful.
 
This link has some opinions that do not reflect my own, but I think the academic discussion describing memes and the examples offered make for some valuable *thinking* points that any sincere artist can make good use of. I am especially fascinated with the idea that memes can be very popular and widespread yet devoid of any useful purpose.
 
When I consider a scenario where a crowd of suburban kids gathers to watch some cage fighting and to listen to few bands. I think a lot of the ideas presented in this radio show starts seeming eerily applicable:
 
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TTBOOK/~3/FDsheCRfLWM/tbk120729a.mp3
 
 
Good luck.
 
 
best regards,
mike
 

Isn't the definition of Branson..."old people, and their parents"??
 

The "older audience" will mostly only go to see the bands they liked when they were young, if they're still going...  As you pointed out, parents have way more "important" things to do than going out enjoying themselves.
 
You either seek out the bars/clubs where the older generation hang out and play those, or you update your style to the 21st century to attract the current gig going crowd.
 
Be aware though, that even if you find a venue that supports 'classic' rock groups that's filled with 'our' generation they still won't be jumping up and down at the front of the stage.  They'll be stood at the bar with their pints moaning that the band is too loud....

Well, I guess the first bit of bad news you need to take on board is that you never were cool. If you ever thought that you were, then you weren't. Coolness can only bestowed upon you by another. Thinking of yourself as cool is totally uncool.
 
So........... to take the doughnut round your hole view, you haven't really lost it, because you never had it ;)
 
As for the audiences, I think you already hit the nail on the head. They're all at home wondering what their kids are up to.