It can sometimes be confusing to figure out exactly where to go to get a show in San Luis Obispo. However, there are a few opportunities available and it all depends on who you are and what you do. Here are a few options.

Downtown Brewing Co. stands as the sole downtown venue complete with a sound system that functions regularly as a concert venue. While other venues can have sound systems brought in, Downtown Brew is the sole venue where you won't necessarily have to link up with someone local who can haul in sound equipment. The difficulty comes in that this is also the main venue for shows and getting your own show can prove quite hard. The staff is usually quite good about letting bands open and making things work out if it is at all possible. So, what type of band should you be if you want to play there? Well, reggae or something related is typically an easy sell. Maybe you're a punk band with lots of high school draw? Think along the lines of mainstream college or high school appeal and you've probably got yourself locked in. If you're a bit outside of that, I would suggest shooting a few e-mails out to other people.

Here's their website so you can check out their calendar and see who's coming in the future. Additionally, a link should be provided through which you can contact a booking agent at Downtown Brew:

http://www.downtownbrew.com/new/home.html

Numbskull books mainly out of Downtown Brewing Co. So, you can apply most of what has been said about the Brewing Co. to Numbskull. Usually if you get in touch with the Brewing Co., you will get in touch with Numbskull as well.

Here's the website:

http://www.numbskullshows.com/

So, you don't fit into the category of a Downtown Brewing Co. band. Where do you play now? Well if you are an independent act of relatively good size Pocket Productions might be able to help you. Pocket Productions bases out of an art gallery called the Steynberg Gallery but is known to do shows at other venues depending on the act. Take a good perusal at who they've brought before. A strong emphasis is put on folk and experimental acts as well as things that typically fit in the genre of college rock.

Here's their myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/pocketproductions

Maybe you're not getting a call back from anyone or maybe you're just a band that loves DIY spirits. Park shows, house shows, even gym locker room shows. DIY SLO usually makes it work if you fit the mold. Strong emphasis on experimental bands, hardcore bands, and acoustic-based punk bands as well as twee and folk music.

Here's their website:

http://www.myspace.com/diyslo

Open mic type band? Bluegrass, folk, jazz? If you don't require any sort of sound equipment Linnaea's can be a great place to pick up a show if no one is returning your calls or you just want low pressure.

Here's their site:

http://www.linnaeas.com/

Maybe one of those didn't apply to you. KCPR can be a good place to pick up a show where you can play live on air. Are you a DJ? Maybe you can pick up a slot on one of the station's Hip Hop, House, or Dance shows. If you're a band with independent spirit, other things can be made to work. Just try and get in touch with someone at the station. Although most likely if you get in touch with DIY SLO or Pocket Productions, you are talking to someone who can hook this up for you.

Two suggested links:

http://kcpr.org/

http://www.myspace.com/kcprsessions

A new production company that has yet to do a show in San Luis Obispo although they should be sometime soon. You probably would need some good timing as they tend to focus on putting on a big show every once in a while. But maybe you will be lucky. A focus tends to be put on dub, dance, metal, and college rock/indie rock.

Here's their myspace:

http://myspace.com/clubmercy