THE TOP FIVE PLACES TO PUT YOUR OWN GIG ON

You've got you and your best mate's bands, pumped and ready to play a gig to a hungry crowd. But hold up! The local venue is all up in your face saying "you shall not pass", what's with that? Suddenly, a cloud appears above your head and whispers the initials D, I and Y in your tinnitus ridden ears. You have seen, more accurately; heard, the light! So where oh where do you put on this much needed gig? Let this top five be your guide to THE best places to kick out the jams and stick it to the man, Power Chord style.

5) Sibling's Bedroom

Now this is a risky one, depending on how close you are to your sibling. But give it a bash and it might end up bringing you closer together. Setting up to rock out for around eleven people in one tiny bedroom is a mighty task, but one you can handle. No doubt. If not all the punters fit in the room, then crank it up and have a house size live music party. There will be dancing on the stairs, the chairs and the ceiling.

4) Your Best Friend's Basement

Best friends always double up as followers/roadies/groupies/managers when you are in a band. Why not let them do their job? They'll be happy to have you rock out in their basement. And it's almost certain that they will take one for the team when the neighbours complain. Plus, there is nothing quite like getting all sweaty with a live band in some one's basement full of old boxes. It's the optimum of rock and roll behaviour.

3) Non-Popular Park

If you have lots of ambition and good acting skills then going to a park with your equipment and some generators is just for you. All you have to do is look like you are supposed to be there. You could even set up for the rocking; on the bandstand, if there is one. Not only can you serve some delicious slices of live music to your friends, you can entertain the dog walkers and the local wild life. Get in!

2) The Nearest House Party
House parties happen all the time these days. Simply scoop up your equipment and dash off to the nearest house based teen gathering. No doubt about it, they will want you to play. By the time you get there, the attendees will probably be quite tired of the latest chart hits on repeat and cheap alcohol. Your infectious enthusiasm and good tunes will raise the mood bar up to heaven then back down to Earth with a bang. Girls dig guys in bands, and boys dig girls in bands. You'll be sorted.

1) Your Back Garden

This is fool-proof. Your back garden is the garden of Eden in terms of d.i.y gigs. If you go for this one, you may as well go full throttle and throw a back garden festival. Get all the bands you know to play, all your friend's bands to play, all your friends of friend's bands to play. Get the drinks in, get the decorations up and don't you dare forget to get the snacks out! If your neighbours complain, simply ask them to come over and join in, that's probably why they were complaining in the first place; they didn't get an invite. Lastly, give it a banging name and you're set to have your own annual d.i.y music fest. The world is your anarchist oyster.

Written by Jack Parker for Power Chord Music Blog. Photographs by Coral Taylor of the band Drool at various gigs.