The Challenge
Independent musicians juggle gigs, setlists, band members, and logistics across text threads, spreadsheets, and sticky notes. There was no single tool built for how bands actually operate — small, scrappy, and always on the move.
The goal: a purpose-built platform that handles the real workflow of a working band, not a bloated project management tool with a music skin.
The Approach
We built BandPilot from the ground up as a custom SaaS product. The backend runs on PHP 8 with a MySQL database, exposing a clean REST API that powers a Vue.js frontend.
Key features include gig management with venue details and load-in times, collaborative setlist building with drag-and-drop ordering, band member management with role assignments, and Stripe integration for subscription billing.
Every decision prioritized speed and simplicity. Musicians don't want to learn a tool — they want to open it and go.
The Result
BandPilot launched as a fully functional SaaS product with subscription billing, user authentication, and a responsive interface that works on any device — because half the usage happens on phones at sound check.
The app handles the full lifecycle of a working band: booking gigs, building setlists, coordinating members, and tracking the business side. Built lean, loads fast, and doesn't get in the way.