Any musicians here live streaming their performances? I’m interested to hear if anyone else is live streaming their music, either from a home studio or at live gigs. I currently stream on Twitch, both from my home studio and when I’m out performing live. I’m also interested in exploring other platforms and ways of reaching a wider audience. Is anyone else streaming on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook or other platforms? I’d be interested to hear what platforms you’re using, how you’re finding the experience, and whether streaming has helped you build an audience or connect with other musicians. Would be great to compare experiences and ideas!

Heading to a Jam session for the afternoon. Not taking guitar, just spectating. Never actually been to one so I'm keen to see how its set up n functions. What are people's experiences with them? Whats your good, bad n ugly stories?

I've got a rare Friday night off, so I thought I'd throw something out there to our members in different parts of the world. I've noticed something interesting over the years when it comes to tips, and I'm curious whether it's the same elsewhere. Here in Australia, tipping musicians isn't really part of the culture like it is in some other countries. But when it does happen, I've noticed a pretty consistent pattern. When I play in more affluent areas, I rarely receive tips. Yet when I'm playing in working-class, blue-collar areas, people seem far more generous. And it's not just the tips. I generally find those gigs much more enjoyable too. The crowds are more responsive, more willing to have a laugh, sing along and actually engage with you. There's something refreshingly genuine about those audiences. In the wealthier areas, I often find people a little more reserved and harder to connect with. Not always, of course, but often enough that I've noticed the pattern. You'd think people with more disposable income would be more inclined to throw a few dollars your way, but in my experience, it's frequently the opposite. And before anyone gets upset, I'm not suggesting wealthy people are all miserable tightarses. Some of them are perfectly pleasant tightarses. 😂 I'm genuinely interested in hearing what others have experienced, particularly those of you in countries where tipping musicians is much more common. Do you find working-class audiences more generous and engaged? Or has your experience been completely different? I'd love to hear how this varies around the world.

I am worried about my drummer who founded the tribute band we are in with me in '19, seems to be overwhelmed with his life, & NOT aware of it! It's incredibly frustrating as it TOOK me 3 years to find him! HE got together with this lady not long after we started playing, who's marriage had broken up BEFORE she gave birth to her daughter in late '19. It turns out he Ended up with a huge tax debt he was not aware of, so his work took precedence to pay it off! (NOT begrudging that!) in '24 I had a really GOOD keyboardist interested in joining us. WE only usually do monthly rehearsals, & I organised 8 that year. HE cancelled about 6 of them and forgot a few! Needless to say that dude bailed! (CAN'T say I blame him!) WE got another good player that's a bit Younger, but he too is a bit disappointed! The last rehearsal we had was in March! NOW! DuE to family/living arrangements, his step 'daughter' , spends 2 w/Es a month with her father & 2 with her mum & my drummer! (They are NOT married, but ARE Engaged...)The PROBLEM is, when the girl is at home with them, he CAN'T rehearse with us, cos she NEEDS him to help look after her, but can only do PAID gigs, but practice or jam nights for fun is out of the question! Seriously? CAN'T she look after 1, 7 y/o girl on her own for a few hrs? This has caused probs trying to book rehearsal dates. I ask him for dates, when he's free, he says 'I'll get back to you', but never does! His problem is, he tries to please Every1, and gets snowed under! I also feel he is being EXPLOITED by her somewhat! What dos Every1 Else think? The rem 3 of us, are going to have a practice to backing tracks, and think also do a conference call with 3 of us on the phone to him, cos my nudging doesn't seem to resonate with him, but from all 3 of us it MIGHT make it sink in! OTHERWISE, I will seriously HAVE to look at other drummers! Thanks for listening/reading!

A big day for me today my first paid gig it went well I had a blast cant wait for the next one👍