Despite decades of sold-out shows, appearances at festivals both domestically and internationally, and a series of remarkable achievements, 420FM has faced a unique challenge in securing consistent tour dates. While they have broken ground as the first band to perform live on Sirius Radio’s first day of webcasting, the first to perform at an ESPN/NFL Tailgate Party during the Super Bowl, and the first to headline the High Times American Cannabis Cup, these milestones, while significant, don’t necessarily translate into booking success. The 420 Funk Mob’s journey began in 1997 with a sold-out show at Tramps with Cameo. Now, nearly 30 years later, they find themselves needing to prove their value once again—not to their loyal fans, but to a new wave of promoters and talent buyers, some of the most influential in the industry today. The issue has never been about the love for the music or the fan base—it’s purely a matter of numbers. To these key industry players, it’s not about the band’s social media presence or Facebook and Instagram followers; it’s about hard data from Pollstar, the leading service tracking ticket sales and venue performances. Pollstar gives promoters insight into every show a band has performed, including ticket sales, prices, pre-sales, walk-up numbers, and more. If you’re not in the Pollstar database, you essentially don’t exist to these decision-makers.
With the success of The Emperor Has No Clones , the 420 Funk Mob has gained a fresh look from venues that were previously hesitant to book the band. The next few shows present a critical opportunity for the band to demonstrate to promoters and talent buyers that there’s genuine demand from the first day tickets go on sale. However, there’s a challenge the band need to address. Many of their loyal fans prefer to purchase tickets closer to showtime, often bypassing the pre-sale window. While this is a well-known fact among promoters who have worked with them in the past, it’s still a hurdle for new promoters who may not yet understand the band’s unique fan behavior. But when they see the numbers at settlement, the smiles follow. Here’s where YOU come in: They need your help to get the 420 Funk Mob on the road. If you love 420FM and want to see them perform more often—or even bring them to your town—please consider purchasing your tickets early for any upcoming show. If you can’t make it in person but want to contribute, consider joining the bands unique Jade West Miracle Ticket Program . By purchasing one or two additional tickets, you can ensure that a deserving fan(s) who might otherwise miss out gets to experience the show. Simply send the band a copy of your receipt, and they will handle the rest.
The 420 Funk Mob’s latest album, The Emperor Has No Clones, has achieved remarkable worldwide sales without the backing of a traditional distribution deal or major label support. The album spent over two weeks at the #1 spot on the Amazon New Music Chart, only recently being displaced by SZA’s new release. Even in the face of major releases from some of the industry’s biggest names, Emperor Has No Clones has continued to bounce in and out of the Top 10 since its January release. According to the band’s spokesperson, the album’s success has garned the band a fresh look from a new wave of promoters and venues who are now recognizing the band’s undeniable appeal. The 420 Funk Mob has withstood the shifting tides of the music industry—from the digital recording revolution and the rise of file sharing to the collapse of traditional record sales and the global pandemic. Through it all, the band has cultivated an unparalleled live performance reputation. However, much of this success has occurred in venues that don’t adhere to traditional industry standards. Now, the band is ready to take The Emperor Has No Clones on the road—but they can’t do it alone. Let’s make this tour happen—together.