Welcome to Side Door News
From exclusive artist interviews and festival spotlights to platform updates and insider tips for the independent music scene, this is where we share what’s new, what’s working, and what’s next. Tune into The Side Door Sitdown podcast for artist stories, booking tips, and behind-the-scenes chats. New episodes drop regularly—subscribe wherever you listen.
How To Get Help With Concert Promotion in 2025
In this post, we’ll show you how to use our resources effectively and set realistic expectations for how our promotion can help with ticket sales.
From Coffee to Concerts: How this Coffeehouse is becoming a Music Hub
There’s something magical about the combination of great coffee and live music—it just feels right. At Good Earth Cranston Market, this pairing is coming to life in a whole new way.
What’s New with Side Door: Making Gigs Easier Than Ever for Hosts
We understand that finding the time to book and organize gigs can be challenging, especially if it’s your first rodeo. That’s why we’re rolling out a fresh approach to make hosting easier than ever.
Promote Your 2025 Concert Easily with Free Templates
Getting the word out about your show is crucial for filling those seats. At Side Door, we've got you covered with FREE customizable templates to make it super easy to design print posters, social media posts and stories.
How Much Do Indie Artists Make on Tour?
Ever wondered how much money indie artists make touring? Spoiler alert: it's probably not what you think. This post dives into the data to give you a realistic picture of what’s like to be on the road as an indie artist.
Side Door | NXNE
Hitting the stage at NXNE this year? Fill your tour gaps and save money by performing a show on Side Door!
Collaborate with ANYONE on Shows: Side Door's New Payee Invites!
Remember chasing down collaborators who aren't on Side Door yet? Say goodbye to those days! Our latest update lets you invite ANYONE to participate in your shows, no matter if they have a Side Door profile or not.
House Concerts Unlocked
You’re invited to steal the spotlight and make magic happen at House Concerts Unlocked! Presented by Side Door, this exclusive event at Folk Alliance International promises high-energy performances and captivating pitches as artists and house concert hosts take the stage to wow a live, enthusiastic audience.
Kitchener Public Library x Side Door
Side Door has partnered with Kitchener Public Library (KPL) to present a series of FREE noon-hour concerts this winter featuring some of our favourite Kitchener area artists.
Complete Guide: How to Promote Your Show, Concert, or Event
The road to a successful event is paved with effective marketing strategies to promote your concert. Whether you're an artist or host, we've got you covered with these essential tips to sell more tickets.
Side Door Platform Update: Simplifying Connections
At Side Door, we are all about fostering connections between Artists and Hosts for unforgettable shows, and we are thrilled to announce that it just got a lot easier to make that happen.
Why You Should Book Your Holiday Show NOW!
The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it comes the opportunity to create magical moments and lasting memories with friends, family, and colleagues.
Whether planning a corporate event, holiday gala, a family get-together, or a festive party, booking entertainment can elevate your holiday gatherings.
Side Door by the Sea Halifax Waterfront Free Concert Series
Any space can be a venue - even a container ship on the Halifax Waterfront! Announcing Side Door by the Sea, a free concert series.
5 Unique Spaces for your Next Concert
We believe nothing beats the magic of an intimate show in an alternative space, whether in a living room or a bookstore — it's not just the home concert venue that can provide the backdrop for a memorable night.
Side Door | NXNE
On the Road with Side Door x NXNE is an incentive program for NXNE showcasing members to assist artists in finding more shows in June 2023. Here’s your chance to get involved. 🔥
Rethinking Touring at SXSW 2023
A follow-up to the SXSW 22 panel (How to Tour in Alternative Venue Spaces), How to Tour in 2023 Without Broke, shared tangible strategies for rising artists who don't necessarily have the funds to tour in a grandiose way or without a specific purpose, which was the primary focus of the discussion.
Side Door | ECMA
On the Road with Side Door x ECMA is an incentive program for ECMA members that aims to assist artists in finding more shows in April and May 2023. Here’s your chance to get involved. 🔥
Platform Update: Show the Love Ratings and Reviews
Heart Ratings and Reviews of your shows (both as an artist and host) are now publicly available on Side Door to help enhance the profile's quality and provide insight for those looking to book shows.
I created a Show Call… now what?
Share your Show Call on social media and more. We’ve found that when Artists and Hosts follow this strategy, they maximize their reach and have a higher success rate of booking shows.
Side Door | SXSW
The Side Door team is headed back to SXSW! From a panel discussion on How to Tour in 2023 Without Going Broke to a showcase in an intimate space, we can’t wait to see you there!