Band Resources

So You Want to Play the Union?

You can do one of the following:

Send us stuff! (Electronically, please):  We prefer Electronic Press Kits if possible. Send all emails and attachments to music@union.wisc.edu. Please send it under the subject format [(Band Name) Press Kit, Genre].

If you must send a physical press kit, please mail to:

Music Committee - Attn: (your genre)
Union South Room 233
1308 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53715

Appoint a Band Contact:

Appoint one person in the band with whom committee reps should speak. Speaking with one person rather than several makes the process much more efficient.

Things to keep in mind:

• We meet only once a week to book, which means there may be a long delay before you are contacted. Getting committee approval for the band, the funding, the location and preparing the necessary paperwork takes awhile.
• If you are a local or lesser-known band, you are more likely to play the Union as an opener. We normally book well-known or national touring acts for headlining slots. All our shows are free and well attended; therefore playing the Union is great exposure. In addition, if we are interested in booking you as an opener, give us time--most of us don't get paid.
• Although we may be students, we know our stuff. We have experience in booking and are trained on going rates for artists -- many WUD Music Committee alumni are currently employed in agencies. In addition, we do free shows: we're booking for the sake of giving people high quality music for free or cheap. We're an entirely non-profit entity that is here to showcase music with the best venues in town. (We are lucky, and so are you).
• Lastly, we get tons of promotional materials from bands and book only a few shows per weekend. We can't accommodate everybody. It's nothing against your band or your genre; it just might be that your style of music may not be what we're looking for at this time.