Promoter frustration
So, there are different schools of thought on the whole live music promoter thing.
First and foremost, it is a musicians responsibility to promote themselves. This is a fact that's really very widely accepted. Exposure comes from hard work on the artists side (whether they are a band or soloist).
So, what is the promoters job? you would think that the clue was in the title. So let's put some flesh around this.
Role of a your typical live music promoter (as seems to be widely expected)
Book venue
Book bands
Organise PA (if not provided by venue)
Organise sound tech (if not provided by venue)
Organise tickets
Distribute tickets to band
Take money for tickets sold
Send out invites to shows on facebook
Show up on the night (sometimes)
Bitch about acts that don't promote and sell tickets
Role of your typical musician
5 - 10 years learning your instrument
Producing a set
Practising a set
Organising recording
Producing recording
Promoting self (online, social media, networking)
Booking gigs
Organising and transporting gear for gigs
Selling tickets
Distributing tickets
Bitch about promoters that don't provide an audience other than the tickets the artist(s) have sold
Now, you could create an argument that says, "Well both sides are putting a lot of work in, that's just life" and you might get away with that.
That is, until you look at what each party walks away with from this equation. Which for the most part, is cash for the promoter, and an empty wallet, empty petrol tank and a dwindling number of 'mates favours' on the side of the musician.