[Gogar]

Since you're talking about a theater that's not an established place for everyday music, I'm gonna assume you're not talking about stuff like "$100 bucks a guy and dinner" local acts kind of stuff. If you are I would write a completely different answer.


If you're talking about bands from all around the country who are stopping in to play, that's great, with some caveats.

One being that - since you are only 30 miles from the city, lots of touring-style acts will have what's called a 'radius clause' in their contracts that will preclude them from playing at your theater if they are playing at a show in the city. Can vary wildly from 30-100 miles, 30-90 days. Not a hard and fast rule, but you'll run into it.

Smaller acts that are a little-more DIY and perhaps even more appropriate for your place will have less issues with that.

Also consider your setup; are you going to have to hire in more speakers and lights for a rock band? Could you get away with using some of the theater's installed sound and lights? Would hosting maybe . . smaller acoustic-ish acts be a better fit and save you some $$ in the setup, and would it just look better?

Is there food and drink available at the theater?

Identify a few acts that you envision having in the theater. Find out where they are playing in the city and what the capacities are and how much the ticket was.


Another good way to get started is to find a friend or business owner or group of people in the neighborhood that are both interested in the theater, music, and your idea and have someone underwrite it. Maybe have a few people underwrite it. Lightening that financial load will allow you to make a few mistakes on your first try.