A showreel (also called a demo reel or band reel) is a short video showcasing a musician or band’s best work, demonstrating why a prospective client should hire them to entertain their guests. Above all, a showreel must show professionalism and commitment to the job whilst showing a varied body of work. For UK musicians looking to get paid gigs at weddings and events, a strong showreel is one of the most important marketing tools you can have.
In this guide, we go through our top tips on making an effective showreel for musicians and bands. Remember, the best way to make a great video (unless you’re already an expert!) is usually by recruiting the services of an experienced videographer. Listen to their advice, and together you can come up with something that shows off your act at its best.
If you’re looking for more information on the subject, you can also read our blog on promotional videos for musicians.
Always use a quality recording
Perhaps the most important thing that a potential client wants to know is what a band sounds like, and so high quality audio for your video really is a must-have.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to this – some bands prefer to use the actual audio of them performing in the video, while others like to focus on the performance and mime to pre-recorded music.
The debate about which is better can sometimes be fierce – many musicians think that, as long as it’s the same band that recorded the audio, then using the backing track is fine.
However, others think this is disingenuous and not a fair representation of what a band sounds like live.
Jay Cresswell from party band Hot Sauce, suggests that all bands should be honest, and use a live recording:
None of this pre-recorded music over a mimed video nonsense. Potential clients need to see what you are about. Make sure it’s live and make sure you use a decent videographer!
Jay Cresswell
Whichever option you decide to go with, you should always make sure that the audio used is of good quality. If you’re playing along to something that’s already recorded, make sure that it is properly mixed and mastered, especially if it was done at home.
If you’re recording live, make sure the videographer knows the importance of getting good audio, and consider mic’ing up everything individually. This will give you much more flexibility when it comes to the final mix.
Loading ...How long should a musician showreel be?
A musician or band showreel should ideally be between 2 and 3 minutes long. That’s enough time to demonstrate versatility and skill without losing a potential client’s attention. If you have footage from multiple events or genres, you can cut between them – but keep the overall video tight. Many event bookers watch dozens of showreels and will make their decision within the first 30 seconds, so make sure your strongest material comes first.
Show off your best side
It goes without saying that a showreel should feature only the very best of a band’s repertoire. Sometimes, this may involve using a tune that’s been covered by a lot of other bands, but don’t get too disheartened.
The trick to watching other showreels is to be ruthlessly critical. Understanding what makes a good showreel and what fails to impress will help a band construct their own. Put yourself in the position of the client. Would you book this act for your event? Ask yourself what you would want to see in a short video clip to convince you to dig deep into your wallet.
Paul Bartlett explains why some bands choose to turn to professionals to create their showreels.
It takes knowledge on cameras / lighting etc to create a good showreel and a mate down the pub or uncle john with a camcorder would never produce a pro result. Just like audio mixing and mastering, it’s an art. A promo reel is the only thing to promote / advertise YOUR product. Your act is only as good as the promo video!
Paul Bartlett
Consider your look
It’s always worth thinking about what everyone is going to wear for the filming and co-ordinate. Whether it’s everyone in your jazz act suiting up or your rock band all wearing different leather jackets, take some time to consider what everyone is going to wear.
Don’t forget the important info!
It sounds obvious, but unfortunately it is a common mistake to leave off the important information that’s needed on your video. Contact information, such as email, possibly a telephone number and a website address is pivotal when attracting clients. A few reviews and testimonials certainly wouldn’t hurt either.
Due to the amount of competition, if more information about the band is not available within a couple of clicks of a mouse, potential clients could begin to look for other entertainment options.
A band has about 3 minutes to make an impression on a client in a video, maybe even less. Making it count is the key to a successful career!
Can you use cover songs in a band showreel?
This is one of the most common questions musicians ask. Many bands play covers, and you can include them in your showreel – there’s generally no copyright issue with recording a live video of yourself performing a cover song. However, if you plan to use a studio-recorded backing track that someone else recorded, that could be a different matter. When in doubt, seek legal advice. The key is to present what you actually sound like live, so clients know exactly what they’re booking. You can see real examples of band showreels on Last Minute Musicians – browse through hundreds of acts to see how the best musicians present themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a band showreel?
Film your band performing live at a real gig or set up a dedicated filming session at a venue. Use multiple camera angles, ensure high-quality audio (ideally recorded separately and mixed in post), and edit the best 2–3 minutes of footage. Include contact details and make sure it reflects your best performance.
What makes a good music showreel?
A good music showreel is short (2–3 minutes), features your best material at the start, has professional-quality audio and video, shows your personality and stage presence, and includes clear contact information. It should give potential clients an accurate picture of what you’ll be like on their event day.
How long should a musician showreel be?
Most booking agents and event clients recommend keeping your showreel to 2–3 minutes. Anything longer risks losing the viewer’s attention. Keep it punchy – lead with your strongest footage.
Sources
Do you have a good showreel? Post links in the comments below and let us know how you made it!
