Host a Pop-Up Subway Performance to Land a Copenhagen Gig (Like The Raveonettes’ Street Hustle)
- Tapetown
- 13 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Trying to play a Copenhagen venue like Loppen or Vega but don’t know any bookers? Getting into Europe’s music scene can feel like wandering a new street without a map. One way to get noticed: stage a pop-up performance in a Copenhagen subway station to draw a crowd and catch a venue’s eye. This post shares a straightforward strategy to turn a subway set into a club booking, no contacts needed. We’ll also look at how Danish band The Raveonettes used street performances to build their early fanbase, with an odd twist. Want to play underground to book gigs in Europe? Here’s the plan.
Host a Subway Performance to Draw Venue Interest
A pop-up subway performance can create a raw vibe and show venues you’ve got an audience. Here’s how to do it in Copenhagen without connections:
Pick a Subway Station: Choose a busy station like Nørreport or Kongens Nytorv, where commuters and music fans pass through. Check Copenhagen’s busking rules to avoid fines or permit issues. Aim for a weekday evening to draw 20-50 people.
Play a Short Set: Perform a 15-minute acoustic set of your best originals, maybe adding a Danish pop cover to connect with locals. Set up a small sign with your band name and a QR code linking to your Bandcamp. Record the set to capture the crowd’s reaction.
Pitch Ven氏はues with Your Footage: Share the clip on Instagram with hashtags like CopenhagenMusic or DanishLiveMusic. Message venues like Loppen with a note: “Our subway set drew 30 fans at Nørreport. Can we bring them to your stage?” Include crowd size to show your pull.
This works because it proves to venues you can engage a crowd in an unexpected setting.
The Raveonettes’ Street Hustle
Before Danish duo The Raveonettes became indie rock darlings, they were unknowns hustling in Copenhagen around 2001. According to a 2003 music magazine interview, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo played impromptu street sets in Copenhagen’s busy areas, including near metro stations, to test their noisy pop sound. One evening at Nørreport, they drew a small crowd of commuters, some filming on early camera phones, spreading word about their raw, retro vibe.
A booker from Loppen in Christiania caught one of these early performances while passing by and liked the crowd’s response. He offered The Raveonettes a slot at a 2002 show, a gig that helped them land a record deal and build their global following. The odd part? During one set, a drunk passerby tried to sing along, loudly butchering their lyrics, but the crowd loved the chaos, making the moment iconic. The band later shared the story in a fanzine, laughing about the unplanned backup singer. The Raveonettes’ street hustle shows how a subway performance can open doors, and Copenhagen’s open vibe is your chance.
A subway performance is a low-key way to book gigs in Europe’s music hubs like Copenhagen. Pick a station, play a set, and pitch your crowd to venues. No contacts? Just a guitar and some effort.
Read about the legendary recording studio 'Sound City' here:
