If you are interested in booking a gig with The Thought Lot, please review our Performance Guidelines below:
  • It is highly recommended that bands have recorded music, a website and facebook page to help us facilitate promotions.

  • Shows consist of 3 bands who are of similar style/genre who together can promote the show heavily and bring a minimum 100 people to The Thought Lot.  We would love to book every band that approaches us, however, we have limited weekends and some serious bills to pay to keep the space open for music and art so we must get paying fans in the door for a show to be feasible and to remain open as a venue.  

  • We charge $10 cover / $5 min to ensure everyone that wants in, gets in.  We keep 30% of the cover (to pay bills, upgrade the facility and be able to provide a space for bands to perform), bands split the remaining 70% (to help you to continue to make great music).

  • We have a Full PA sound system that we provide for bands to use, however, bands must bring a qualified Sound Tech to run the system for the entire show.  If you cannot supply a qualified Sound Tech, we will hire one for the evening and take $100 from the bands % of the cover to pay this individual.

  • All Ages, 17 and under accompanied by an adult.

Due to the growing popularity of our venue, we receive a lot of requests to perform.  We have numerous cultural activities and events, so open weekends are limited. We try to accomodate bands who can meet our Performance Guidelines.  At this time we are only booking bands who can together draw a minimum 100 paying customers to the venue.  

If the above guidelines are not feasible for your band there are two alternate ways to perform at The Thought Lot

  1. We rent The Thought Lot on open dates for an evening at a rate of $300.  In this scenario, bands can charge whatever cover fee they wish and keep 100% of the funds raised.  Bands are required to coordinate all aspects of the show including staffing the door and providing responsible adults to oversee the crowd and venue.  Bands can use our PA system for an additional $100 rental fee or supply their own PA system.  If the bands choose to use our PA System, they must supply an experienced sound tech to run the sound board. 

  2. If the rental option is not feasible, we suggest joining us for Wednesday Night Open Mic every Wednesday 8-midnight to start developing a following.  Open mic is scaled down acoustic for bands. Performances are 20 mins with sign up beginning at 8pm and performances beginning at 9pm.  


We have put a lot of time, work, money and sweat into creating a new original music venue and have a lot of pride in The Thought Lot, we ask that bands take pride in their work to develop their sound and build a following so that together we can grow the music community in South Central PA.  Thank you for your interest in The Thought Lot.

If you would like to book a show with The Thought Lot and meet the above guidelines, please email Tony@TheThoughtLot.com

If you would like tips and resources to help further develop your band, please visit the links below: