As music lovers and wanderlust enthusiasts, our vision for GigsGuide was to create a platform that harmoniously blends the love for music with the spirit of travel.
Just like the rest of the live music and travel sectors, the pandemic hit us pretty hard right in the face. While we did manage to keep the site running by becoming one of the top directories for live streaming events, the "shell shock" we (and the rest of the live music industry) suffered forced us to put things on life support for a while.
In recent months, however, we have finally had a chance to come up for air and clear off some of the dust that had been gathering on our servers over the last couple of years.
Today, we're excited to share some of the latest updates and enhancements to the GigsGuide experience with you – our valued community of globetrotting music aficionados.
What's been cooking in the GigsGuide kitchen
- A broader, cleaner Live Event Database
A lot of our recent effort has been focused on improving the quality of the data in our events database and on adding an even more diverse range of live music events. Whether you're into indie rock, soothing jazz, or high-energy electronic music, our platform now covers an extensive variety of genres and artists. This means more choices, more adventures, and more unforgettable musical experiences. - Revamped User Experience
Understanding that a seamless experience is key to your enjoyment, we've squashed bugs and streamlined navigation. The website now boasts faster load times, smoother transitions, and an intuitive interface, ensuring you spend less time planning and more time enjoying the music. - Compatibility Match Indicator
One of our most exciting features is the 'Compatibility Match' indicator on artists' profiles. This innovative tool analyzes your musical preferences, based on the artists you follow, to show how closely other artists you might not know from before match your taste. It's like having a personalized music concierge, ensuring that no matter where your travels take you, you can easily discover artists and gigs that resonate with your unique style.
- Chrome Extension for Booking.com
Our new Chrome extension is a game-changer for travel-savvy music lovers. Once installed, the extension sits quietly in the background, waiting... When you search for trips on Booking.com, the extension comes to life and automatically displays live music events at your destination for the dates of your trip... It's magical! This integration means you can effortlessly plan your travel and music itinerary in tandem, making every trip a perfectly tuned musical journey.
A Quick Recap of All The Cool Things You Can Do With GigsGuide
I also want to take the occasion of this post to quickly revisit some of the core features that have made GigsGuide a go-to destination for music and travel enthusiasts:
- Global Music Events Database
Dive into our expansive collection of live music events worldwide. From intimate local gigs to major international festivals, our platform is your passport to the world of live music. - One-Stop Travel Planning
Say goodbye to the hassle of toggling between multiple tabs. GigsGuide brings together the most convenient flights, the coolest accommodations, and all the live gig details you need, all in one place. - Artist Profiles with Detailed Information
Our artist profiles are a treasure trove of information, helping you navigate the live music offering of unfamiliar location and maybe discover a new artist to bring home as a new favourite from your trip (the best kind of souvenir, if you ask me :)). With genre classifications, links to Spotify, YouTube, and social media accounts, you get a comprehensive understanding of the artists performing, so you can easily identify the ones you are more likely to enjoy. Direct ticketing links and venue directions are also readily available. - Personalized Musical Matches
Create your user account and add all your favourite artists to get tailored gig suggestions with artists similar to the ones you already like. Our clever compatibility scoring helps you navigate through the musical offerings of your destination, ensuring that each gig you attend is a match made in musical heaven. - Innovative Chrome Extension
Our Chrome extension is not just a feature – it's your new travel buddy. It intuitively suggests live music events based on your Booking.com searches, integrating your travel and music experiences seamlessly even when the urge to travel takes hold of you so quickly that you don't have time to come to our site to search.
Don't Stop Me Now: What's Next for GigsGuide
The journey doesn't stop here. Our roadmap includes exciting features and partnerships that will further enrich your music and travel experiences. Stay tuned for updates on new functionalities that will make discovering and enjoying live music an even more integral part of your travels.
We'd love to hear your feedback on the new features, and in particular on the Chrome Extension. We are also looking at expanding its coverage to other sites like Hotels.com - so it would be great to hear which are your favourites that we should add next!
GigsGuide stands at the intersection of music and travel, offering a unique platform that caters to your passion for both. These latest updates are a testament to our commitment to providing you with an unmatched experience.
We believe that every journey should have a soundtrack, and with GigsGuide, the perfect melody is just a click away.
