Determine what you want to get out of the concert. Identify your target audience and write a list of everything you need to do. Make a rough budget and set financial goals. Enlist help from others by putting together a concert committee to help with booking talent, obtaining a venue, promoting the concert and running the show.
Book a venue and date. Find a location appropriate for your rock 'n' roll needs. You want good acoustics, enough stage area and floor space, adequate bathroom facilities and a management team that is good to work with. Negotiate to get the best possible price. Some venues charge a flat fee while others take a percentage off the door. Security, sound and food and beverage may or may not be included, depending on the size and type of venue.
Book talent. Decide who you want to play at your concert and book them early. If it's a charity gig the bands should play for free or at least at a reduced rate. It is normal practice to pay for bands' costs. Costs may include travel, food and accommodation. Determine the specifics of what is required and expected with the band members themselves or their management and have them sign a contract.
Work out your finances. Determine total costs and make a detailed budget. If sound and security are not included with the venue you may need to hire equipment and/or staff. Find how much everything will cost first, then work out the ticket price. To do this estimate the number of people attending and compare that with the total cost of staging the concert. Set the ticket price in line with your financial goals.
Promote the event. This step is very important to ensure success of your concert. Produce flyers and get a team together to help give them out in areas where your target audience hangs out. Give your team free entry to the gig in return for helping. Drop flyers in record stores, skateboard or surf shops, coffee shops and college campuses. Set up a Facebook page for the event and get the invite out to as many people as you can. Make posters and put as many up as possible -- making sure you don't leave it to the last minute. Contact local media and pitch a story about the concert. If it is a benefit concert, that could be your angle; otherwise try for a profile of one of the bands. Invite local reporters to the concert.
Pay close attention to detail throughout the entire process. Hold regular meetings in the lead up to the event. Make sure the line-up, load in and sound check times, set times and ticket price are known to everyone well in advance. Don't forget the little details such as backstage refreshments. If you have planned well and promoted the gig sufficiently, your rock concert should be a hit.