The short answerThe best way to find band members is to look in a few places at once. Go to local shows and open mics, tell friends and family you're looking, ask at music shops and rehearsal studios, and post a specific "musician wanted" ad on a musician app like Mixstro. Then jam before you commit.
Finding bandmates is harder than it should be. Plenty of musicians want to play, but the ones who like the same music, share your goals and actually show up to rehearsal can take months to find. The good news is that they're out there, and most of them are looking for you too. If you're starting a band from scratch, this is step one.
Before you start: know what you're looking for
The fastest way to waste a month is to start searching before you know what you want. Answer these first, and write the answers down:
- What do you want to play? Originals or covers? Which genre, and which bands do you want to sound like?
- How serious is this? A weekly jam for fun, a gigging covers band, or an original project you want to record and tour?
- How much time can you give it? One rehearsal a week? Weekends only? Can you travel for shows?
- Which roles do you need? A drummer and a bassist, or just a singer to finish the lineup?
Most bands that fall apart don't break up over music. They break up because one person wanted to play bars every weekend and another wanted a fun Tuesday jam. Getting clear on goals up front saves everyone time.
1. Go to local shows and stay after
Local gigs are the best place to find musicians who already take it seriously. Go to the venues that book your kind of music, watch the openers, and talk to the players afterward. Musicians are rarely busier than they want to be. A bassist in one band is often happy to join a second project, or knows someone who would be.
Don't pitch anyone on the spot. Tell them you liked the set, ask what else they play in, and swap numbers or socials. The follow-up is where it happens.
2. Open mics and jam nights
Open mics and jam nights are basically auditions where nobody has to call it an audition. You get to hear people play, see how they handle a song they don't know, and find out who listens to the rest of the band. If you hit it off on stage with someone, that's a better sign than any message thread.
Go regularly. The same faces tend to come back, and being a familiar face makes the conversation easy.
3. Ask friends, family and your own network
It sounds obvious, but it's the step most people skip. Tell everyone you're looking: friends, family, coworkers, old bandmates and your music teacher. Post it on your own socials. Someone's cousin plays drums, a coworker's roommate sings, and your old guitar teacher knows half the players in town.
People you're introduced to through someone you trust come with a built-in reference, and that matters when you're about to spend every Thursday night in a small room with them.
4. Music stores, rehearsal studios and teachers
Local music shops, rehearsal spaces and lesson studios sit at the center of every scene. Many still have a notice board, and the staff usually know who's looking for a band. Rehearsal studios are especially good, since everyone walking through the door is already playing in a band.
5. Schools, colleges and community groups
If there's a college or music school nearby, its students are often looking for projects outside their coursework. Community orchestras, church bands, choirs and local music nonprofits are full of solid players too, especially if you're after horns, keys or backing vocals.
6. Use an app to find band members
The old way of finding band members online was a classifieds post and a lot of waiting. Musician apps make it easier to see who's nearby, what they sound like and what they're looking for before you message them.
That's what we built Mixstro for. Every musician has a profile with their instruments, their influences and their whole musical journey: the bands and projects they've played in, with the music to prove it. Each day you see a few musicians worth meeting near you, based on shared influences, goals, and where and when you play. If you need a specific player, post on the Board ("Looking for a drummer for an indie rock project, Thursdays in Austin") and let the right people come to you.
It's not a replacement for going to shows. It just means that by the time you meet someone in person, you already know you want to play the same kind of music.
Local Facebook groups and city subreddits for your scene are also worth joining, especially in smaller towns.
7. Write a "musician wanted" post that gets replies
Wherever you post, a good ad gets better replies. Include:
- The role: "Drummer," not "musicians."
- Your sound: two or three bands you sound like, and a link to a demo if you have one.
- Your goals: "Original project, aiming to gig monthly and record an EP this year."
- The commitment: rehearsal night, location and how often.
- A little about you: your experience and the bands you've played in. A short musician resume works well here.
For example: "Indie rock project looking for a drummer. Think Wet Leg meets Pixies. We have five songs and a rough demo. Rehearsing Thursdays in East Austin, goal is monthly gigs and an EP by summer. We've all played in local bands before."
How do you know a band member is the right fit?
Once you've found someone, don't just ask them to join. Meet up and play first. A first jam tells you more than any conversation:
- Do they show up on time, and prepared? Lateness on day one rarely improves.
- Do they listen? Great bandmates play for the song, not over it.
- Do your goals line up? Talk about gigs, recording, money and time openly at the start.
- Do you like hanging out with them? You'll spend a lot of time together in vans and rehearsal rooms.
Try a few sessions before you make it official. And if it doesn't click, say so kindly and move on. It's not personal; it's just not the right fit.
The best partnerships in music, from Lennon and McCartney to Elton John and Bernie Taupin, started with two people deciding they worked well together. Our list of the best songwriting duos shows how different those partnerships can look.
Once you've found your band
Start small: learn a few songs, record a rough demo (a basic home studio setup is all you need), and book a first show. Then go study the greatest live performances of all time and steal everything you can.
FAQ
Is there an app to find bandmates?
Yes. Mixstro is built for it: profiles show what each musician plays, their influences and the bands they've been in, and you can post on the Board when you need a specific role. Classifieds sites like BandMix and local Facebook groups are other options.
What band member is hardest to find?
In most scenes it's a drummer, followed by a committed lead singer. There are fewer of them, and good ones are usually already in two or three bands.
Where can I find band members near me?
Start with local shows, open mics, jam nights and rehearsal studios. Then add a musician app like Mixstro, local Facebook groups and your city's subreddit to reach people outside your circle.
How do I find a drummer for my band?
Drummers are the hardest role to fill in most scenes, so cast a wide net. Ask rehearsal studios and drum teachers, go to shows to watch drummers specifically, and post a clear, specific ad. Mention your rehearsal space if you have one. Drummers love not having to haul their kit.
How long does it take to find bandmates?
Anywhere from a week to a few months. Being clear about your sound and goals, and looking in more than one place at once, speeds it up a lot.
How do I join a band instead of starting one?
Use the same places, but flip the pitch: make a profile or post that says what you play, what you're into and how much time you have, and reply to bands that are already looking.