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Kevin McElroy
Editor, Tune Up Magazine
Every musician knows that without a solid backline, you might as well pack up and go home. It’s the backbone of any performance, the unseen force holding everything together while the spotlight hits the frontman. And trust me, without a strong foundation behind you, it doesn’t matter how many high kicks you can throw or how loud you scream—your band will fall flat.
It’s the same with your career. If you’re an up-and-coming band trying to break through, you’re probably laser-focused on what everyone can see—the image, the songs, the social media presence. But the truth is, none of that matters if your backline, the infrastructure of your band, is weak.
Take it from a guy who’s seen plenty of bands flame out because they had flash but no substance. Yeah, I’m looking at you, the ones with the perfect hair but zero work ethic. So let’s talk about how to build that backline, musically and in terms of your career.
Let’s break it down. You all know Michael Anthony from Van Halen, right? The dude never hogged the spotlight, didn’t need to. He was too busy holding it down. His basslines and backing vocals were crucial to the band’s sound. Think about that for a second. The guy wasn’t doing splits in spandex—he was grinding away, making Van Halen sound like Van Halen.
Now, every band thinks they’re going to be the next big thing, the next Van Halen. But here’s the deal: none of you will make it if you don’t have someone like Michael Anthony in your corner. And no, I’m not talking about hiring a bassist with mad harmony skills. I’m talking about building the kind of backline that lets you crank up the volume on everything else. Whether it’s management, your road crew, or the guy handling your merch, you need people who make sure you’re not out there naked when it’s showtime.
Let’s get real for a minute. Do you have someone working the business side while you’re writing songs? Do you have a solid plan for getting your music out there beyond just dumping it on Spotify and praying for streams? Hell, do you even know what venues to play to build your following? This is the stuff no one tells you about when you first pick up a guitar, but it’s what separates the wannabes from the ones who actually make it.
You need a backline that supports your performance—both on and off stage. That’s where the real magic happens. You can have the best riffs in the world, but if your van breaks down in the middle of nowhere because you didn’t plan for that, well, good luck making it to the next gig.
I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. You want to succeed? You’ve got to do more than just play. You’ve got to research the market, understand who’s competing for the same audience, and know your strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a little tool that can help you with that—it’s called a SWOT analysis.
Let me break it down for you in simple terms:
You’re not going to get anywhere playing by the old rules. Start thinking beyond the traditional gig circuit. Look for unconventional venues: breweries, outdoor spaces, pop-up events—hell, even private house shows if it gets you in front of people who actually care about music. You can also partner with local businesses for cross-promotions or tie-ins with community events that already have an audience. Maybe live-streaming your sets is the way to go if you can’t pack a club. Create your own momentum when the system isn’t working for you.
If venues are rejecting original music, find ways to make it irresistible. Throw in a couple of crowd-pleasing covers to draw people in, and then hit them with your best originals when they least expect it. Don’t be afraid to hustle.
You want to stand out? Good, so does every other band out there. But what’s going to set you apart is having a solid backline that amplifies everything you do. And just like Michael Anthony did for Van Halen, you need people—or systems—in place that can do the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Your performance is only as good as the foundation it’s built on.
The good news is, you can correct this. Get your backline sorted, build your foundation, and you’ll have a real shot. Learn from the missteps, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward. You don’t have to get it perfect right out of the gate, but you do have to put in the work.
So, are you ready to step it up?
Written by: Tune Up Webmaster
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