If you're starting up, make sure your band is tight before playing any live shows or gig. You don't want to end up with criticism about how bad you all performed. ONLY perform when the whole band is ready. Bring guests to your practice jamming session to get a few pointers on how you could improve your sound and showmanship.
Learn from other professional musicians and bands about how they set up for a show and don't be ignorant thinking playing a gig means just turning up, plugging in your guitar, blasting your music for 30 mins and calling it a day.
You can always holler these bands up and ask them after a show. I doubt they will keep anything from you. IF they do, then they're not worth your time. Just move on and ask the others who will. Those bands who diss you off just because you're new or don't dress up like they do, probably just think they already have a "huge" fanbase and making millions out of it.
Learn how to market your band. Word of Mouth advertising is by far the best form of advertising there is. If you can get people to talk to other people to come for your shows or just about your band, that's the best. Bringing in your friends to watch your shows or practice can do wonders even if you don't have a big budget to go big. Word of Mouth is still FREE.
Imagine 10 friends who got another friend along to join you for your show. That's easily 20 people who are willing to see you perform. Remember to just keep on making new friends and guess what.. this forum has tonnes of people you can talk to every day. Talk about everything and anything.
Be nice to everyone. This includes organisers, other bands, sound crew, venue owners and even the kid who just doesn't seem to fit in the crowd. Gratitude can go a long way.
