Build Your Backline, Build Your Career: The Key to Longevity in the Music Industry

Does Your Band Have a Good Backline?

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.

Every Band Needs a Michael Anthony

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.

So What’s Your Backline?

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.

Turn It Up to 11

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:

• S stands for Strengths: What are you good at? What makes your band stand out from the crowd? Maybe it’s your killer live performance or your unique sound. Figure out what’s working for you and lean into it.
• W stands for Weaknesses: Where are you falling short? Maybe your social media game is weak, or you don’t have enough original material. Be honest with yourselves—this is where you need to improve if you want to compete.
• O stands for Opportunities: What’s out there that you can take advantage of? Is there a gap in your local scene that you can fill? Maybe there’s a festival or contest coming up. Find the chances and seize them.
• T stands for Threats: What’s standing in your way? This is where it gets tricky. Let’s face it: one of your biggest threats is that live music isn’t getting the support it used to. A lot of your potential fans would rather sit at home and binge Netflix than come out to a club and watch a band. On top of that, many venues these days don’t want to take a chance on original music—they’re playing it safe with cover bands or DJs. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed. It means you need to get creative and think outside the box.

Out-of-the-Box Thinking to Overcome Threats

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.

Bottom Line? Get Your House in Order

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?