How to Get Gigs as an Independent Musician: The Hustle, the Heart, and a Hint of Jugaad So, you’ve got the talent. Your voice hits like Arijit’s in "Tum Hi Ho," your guitar licks might give Yuvan a run for his money, and your Instagram reels have begun to buzz. But here's the million-rupee question: how do you get actual, real gigs that pay? Let’s be honest, being an independent musician is equal parts music, marketing, and just a bit of madness. Getting gigs isn't just about being good — it's about being seen, remembered, and booked. And sometimes, it's about sending that tenth follow-up message with a prayer and a SoundCloud link. Start with Your Scene: Local First, Always Think of it like this: no one headlines Lollapalooza without first owning their mohalla stage. Your local cafes, college fests, open mic nights, and indie music events are gold mines. Places like The Habitat in Mumbai, Unwind in Pune, or antiSOCIAL in Delhi have birthed more indie careers than we care to count. Play those tiny, 30-seat rooms. Perform like you’re at NH7 Weekender even if the only crowd is your best friend and a guy who just wanted chai. People remember passion. And bookers? They notice consistency. Build a Digital Gharana You know what? It’s not enough to just exist offline. The music scene lives on Instagram, bleeds into YouTube, and breathes on Spotify. So yeah, go ahead and post that clip from your Sunday jam session. Share behind-the-scenes moments from your bedroom studio. Make covers, but also show off your original vibe. Think "Pasoori" levels of authenticity. Oh, and make your digital portfolio a no-brainer:
Clean highlights Bio with contact info A link tree or website
If you’re serious about this, act like it. The right manager or event curator could be watching. And if you need help crafting a performance or sharpening your musical chops? Iktaraa is the best online music learning platform in India — where students get personalised coaching from real-deal teachers. Slide Into DMs (But Nicely) Networking isn’t always wine-and-cheese mixers with label executives. Sometimes, it’s a well-written DM to a venue owner. Keep it short. Be kind. Add your best work. Follow up respectfully.
Better yet, show up at open mics, support other musicians, and strike real conversations. There’s this beautiful community energy in the indie scene — ride that wave. Don’t fake it. People can sniff desperation. Just be you, show up often, and be good to work with. Word spreads faster than a BTS army tweet. Learn the Art of "Yes, and" Sometimes your first paid gig is being the filler act at a corporate party or playing acoustic Hindi covers at a wedding. Take it. Learn from it. It’s like those small character roles in films — ask Nawazuddin Siddiqui how they stack up in the long run. Each one sharpens your performance game, gives you face time with new audiences, and builds your on-stage muscle. And here's a tiny hack: ask for videos from every gig. Use them for your social proof. Tag the organizers. Thank them publicly. Gratitude pays in more gigs. Set Your Rate, But Be Flexible You deserve to be paid. Period. But also? Be realistic. When you're starting out, consider gig-swapping, content barters, or collaborating with other indie artists to create shared stages. That said, always have a base rate in mind. Even if you waive it occasionally, knowing your worth sets the tone. Pro-tip: keep a payment structure ready (advance, balance, transport) to look like a pro, not a rookie. Gear Up Like a Pro (Without Going Broke) The sad truth? Event organizers judge you by your gear too. Make sure your instruments are performance-ready. Need upgrades but watching your wallet? Buy music instruments and gear online | best price at iktaraa — they’ve got everything from guitars to synths without breaking your bank. Plus, their community connects you with fellow musicians, mentors, and even gig leads. It’s like Gully Boy meets LinkedIn. Create Your Stage When None Exists Sometimes, waiting around for gigs is a dead end. Host your own gigs. Partner with a cafe or a co-working space. Use ticketing platforms like Skillboxes, Insider, or even Google Forms. Bring in two more acts, share the audience, and boom — you just became a curator. You know what’s better than being hired? Being the one who hires.
Keep the Flame Alive There will be dry spells. Ghosted emails. Cancelled gigs. Moments when you wonder if this hustle is even worth it. But then someone tags you in a video where your song made their day. Or a random DM reads, "Heard you at that gig last week. When’s your next show?" That’s the stuff that counts. Music careers aren’t built in viral moments. They’re built in hours of prep, long DMs, missed buses, magical soundchecks, and sheer bloody-minded persistence. So keep going. Keep playing. And if you ever feel stuck, there’s always a place like Iktaraa, where music isn’t just learned — it’s lived. Your next gig? It could be one message away. Just don’t stop hitting send.
