Do venue bookers really look at a band's Instagram?

Many do, as a quick check that a band is active and draws a crowd. It doesn't replace a good email or a recommendation, but a stale profile can count against you.

Can we use our own recorded songs in reels?

If you own the rights to the recording, usually yes. Check the platform's rules, and check with your label or publisher if you have one.

Is phone footage good enough for a band's reels?

Yes, if it is steady and you can see what's happening. Bookers want to see a real night, not a music video.

All guides

How can a band use Instagram Reels to get more gigs?

Post short reels from your own gigs that show a full room and a band people enjoy watching. Venue bookers check a band's Instagram to see if it can bring a crowd, and punters use it to decide which night to go out. Post on a steady routine, show the crowd as well as the stage, and make it easy to find out how to book you.

Updated 8 October 2026

Who is watching

Two groups see your reels. Punters want to know if a night with you will be fun. Venue bookers want to know if you will fill their room and sound good doing it. Many reels can speak to both, but it helps to know which one a reel is mainly for.

A booker often looks at your profile before replying to an email. A run of recent reels from real gigs tells them you are active and working. A profile with nothing since last year tells them the opposite.

What to film at a gig

The crowd. People dancing, singing along, filling the floor. Bookers look for this shot, so try to get it at every gig.
The big moments. The chorus everyone knows, a solo, the end of the last song.
Each member. Close shots of hands on the kit, the bass and the mic help punters feel they know you.
The room. A wide shot that shows the venue, which also gives the venue a reason to share your post.

Ask a friend or partner to film from the floor, or set a phone on a stand at the side of the stage. Hold it upright and steady. Phone microphones struggle with loud music, so sound will rarely be perfect; the picture is what carries a reel.

Only use footage of people who are happy to appear, and respect any venue rules about filming.

Off-stage footage

Rehearsals, soundchecks, loading in and the drive home are worth filming too. They give you something to post between gigs and show the people in the band.

Make bookers' lives easy

Put how to book you in your bio: an email address or a link to your own website.
Say where you play and what kind of nights you suit, such as pubs, weddings or festivals.
Tag the venue in posts from their room. Venues notice bands that promote their nights.
Pin a reel that shows a full room near the top of your profile.

Keep a steady routine

One great reel won't do much if nothing follows it. A steady run of reels keeps the band in front of punters and shows bookers you are busy. Choose a weekly number you can keep during a heavy month of gigs.

Reels about the band rather than one gig stay useful for weeks, so one good night of footage can carry several posts.

End with one ask

Each reel should ask for one thing: "Follow for the next gig", "See us Saturday at the venue" or "Book us through our website". Put it on screen and in the caption.

What ReelTempo does and doesn't do here

ReelTempo makes reels from the band's own gig and rehearsal footage. Upload clips from anyone in the band and it finds the moments worth using, cuts a short reel to music, puts words on screen and drafts a caption. You review every reel, change any words, and post it on Instagram or Facebook.

It does not book gigs, contact venues, take inquiries or collect anyone's details. It does not reply to comments or manage messages, and it does not post to TikTok or YouTube. It cannot guarantee gigs or followers. It only ever uses footage you filmed.

See ReelTempo for bands, or read how bars keep posting reels without hours of editing and tips on filming with your phone.