How funny would it be if a new band set up a debut show where they advertised it as $15 admission but got 100 strangers to attend the show for $30 cash each, let in 100 friends & acquaintances for free & made Joe Hardcore & other promoters book them on their fests & key opening slots on their non-fest shows?
After that advertise future shows as paid admission but let in everyone for free to give the illusion that 200-300 people pay to get into your hometown shows.
You dupe a touring headliner to have you open for them on their next stop in your city, maybe have you accompany them beyond that, you get put on another tour. You get signed.
How funny would it be if a new band set up a debut show where they advertised it as $15 admission but got 100 strangers to attend the show for $30 cash each, let in 100 friends & acquaintances for free & made Joe Hardcore & other promoters book them on their fests & key opening slots on their non-fest shows? After that advertise future shows as paid admission but let in everyone for free to give the illusion that 200-300 people pay to get into your hometown shows. You dupe a touring headliner to have you open for them on their next stop in your city, maybe have you accompany them beyond that, you get put on another tour. You get signed.