How Much to Charge for a gig

[BritPicker]

Hi - I have a question for the gigging musos on here.

I've been offered a gig playing at a 21st party for someone who's (Dad is) not short of cash.

What is the going rate for such a gig, and how does one arrive at a figure?

I don't want to go asking crazy amounts, but I don't want to be too cheap either.

Travel will be about 1 or 2 hours to get there, at the weekend and we need to hire a PA too.

We are a mixture of originals and covers, all the guys are over 40 and we've never really been paid any more than a few bucks before (not that the customer knows this)

Thanks guys, any advice?

[southernrocker]

My group charges 100 bucks a guy, so 300 bucks. But if that scares people we do it for 150. One of the best things to do is to realize that you're probably never going to pull a profit with your band. I sure don't make one. Anymore, I'm just happy to play bass. If I make a few dollars on the side, well, I won't complain!

Good Luck on your gig!

[Jimmy Bones]

What length, how many sets?

Set a travel budget, a PA rental budget, and meal/drink budget. Then set that number aside and decide what you think is a fair hourly wage for your services. Note that most musicians don't get paid minimum wage. $25-30 an hour per person is generally a fair amount. Also, make sure you get a contract, with clearly deliniated break times and and let him know that you will be charging for the cost of playing at the event.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by BritPicker

Hi - I have a question for the gigging musos on here.

I've been offered a gig playing at a 21st party for someone who's (Dad is) not short of cash.

What is the going rate for such a gig, and how does one arrive at a figure?

I don't want to go asking crazy amounts, but I don't want to be too cheap either.

Travel will be about 1 or 2 hours to get there, at the weekend and we need to hire a PA too.

We are a mixture of originals and covers, all the guys are over 40 and we've never really been paid any more than a few bucks before (not that the customer knows this)

Thanks guys, any advice?

we charge at the very least 100 a guy.

[dmusic148]

^ some of these guys are crazy. A thousand bucks, easy. It's a private party, not a bar gig. Charge large.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

^ some of these guys are crazy. A thousand bucks, easy. It's a private party, not a bar gig. Charge large.

it's a kids 21st birthday. not a stadium show.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by standupright

it's a kids 21st birthday. not a stadium show.

And? I'm telling you, it's NOT unreasonable. It's a one-time thing. No big deal for the Dad "who's not short of cash."

[Bijoux]

yeap! that's always an interesting question. I guess it all depends on a lot of different factors... I hate when asked the question and I realize later on that I underbid myself. sometimes they also offer me more than I asked and I keep wondering if I could have asked for more. sometimes I also play with guys are very well known musicians in jazz, and I end up being offered a lot less that I had in mind. I guess it's all over the place. I wish people were more straight in the business and I also wish I made more money! :-)

[standupright]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

And? I'm telling you, it's NOT unreasonable. It's a one-time thing. No big deal for the Dad "who's not short of cash."

well alright.

[mrwink]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

And? I'm telling you, it's NOT unreasonable. It's a one-time thing. No big deal for the Dad "who's not short of cash."

+1

[jkdahlman]

+1 again. For 4 hours, travel, PA hire, extra expenses (snacks, etc) I start at $1000.
Not at all out of line. If he balks, let him bargain you down to $800. If you figure total time: gig+travel both ways+set up time will end up being around 10 hours, planning for worst case travel, etc. $1K works out to $25/man based on a four piece. That's before PA, gas, dry cleaning and what not. Never go in cheap.

[dmusic148]

Heck, my last three gigs were sub gigs, all private parties, and I got paid between $250 and $350 for each. You could get a grand for that gig all day long.
Do a great job, dress nice, and be cool and no one will question it.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

WOW, this must be a first. All of the people in this thread have their location filled in.

In questions like this the location and therefore the local scene is the key factor. IMHO only of course.

What it would cost him to get another band?
How much for PRO's?
How much for hobbyists?

As I live in a totally different scene, my advice may, or may not be valid.

The way we price ourselves is as follows.

The travelling expenses (gas/diesel fuel, approximately 0.4€/km) + 50-70€ each. Cash. + Food and sometimes drinks.

We are a classic rock cover band, 4 (5) piece, female vocalist, own PA, own van, own lights + smoke machine, own stage (tiny ), etc.

We do this as a HOBBY. I once calculated that the rehearsal/gig ratio costs me about 200€ a month, on diesel + time alone. Not including the maintenance of the PA/lights/van.

If it's a hobby, treat it as such. If it's a profession, treat it accordingly.

Regards
Sam

[BritPicker]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's helped me to be a bit more business-minded about it.

I decided that we won't be cheap, and so I've asked for more than I first thought. They can bargain me down maybe.

It takes a bit of nerve to do it, but when you compare how much the band costs with the drinks bill, its not much!

200 people at party, $5 a drink at club prices, $1000 for everyone to have one drink. I'm not even asking half that.

Anyway, now waiting to see what they say to my quote.

Fingers crossed!

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

^ some of these guys are crazy. A thousand bucks, easy. It's a private party, not a bar gig. Charge large.

Agreed. ESPECIALLY if you're renting P.A. That alone can set you back a good $300 at least. If you're going to just barely break even on the gig (much less go in the hole), you might as well stay home.

[bassplayer8953]

Originally Posted by jaywa

Agreed. ESPECIALLY if you're renting P.A. That alone can set you back a good $300 at least. If you're going to just barely break even on the gig (much less go in the hole), you might as well stay home.

^^^+1^^^ Playing out is done for 1 of 2 things: to further the bands ambitions (auditions, gain a crowd) or as 1 shot deals, for $$$. Weddings are the latter, so is a b-day party. Make money, or don't bother.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by BritPicker

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's helped me to be a bit more business-minded about it.

I decided that we won't be cheap, and so I've asked for more than I first thought. They can bargain me down maybe.

It takes a bit of nerve to do it, but when you compare how much the band costs with the drinks bill, its not much!

200 people at party, $5 a drink at club prices, $1000 for everyone to have one drink. I'm not even asking half that.

Anyway, now waiting to see what they say to my quote.

Fingers crossed!

You are playing the gig for less than $500.00? You need to find a different hobby, one that doesn't cost so much, seriously. My band played a wedding last week about 2.5 hours from home. $2200.00, 2 rooms and a meal. Were a four piece band with no PA rental. You guys are in your 40s and you can't get paid even enough to break even that is just wrong.

[xzzy]

Originally Posted by modulusman

You are playing the gig for less than $500.00? You need to find a different hobby, one that doesn't cost so much, seriously. My band played a wedding last week about 2.5 hours from home. $2200.00, 2 rooms and a meal. Were a four piece band with no PA rental. You guys are in your 40s and you can't get paid even enough to break even that is just wrong.

For some people, getting the chance to play in front of a crowd is worth more than getting paid.

[Absentia]

Originally Posted by xzzy

For some people, getting the chance to play in front of a crowd is worth more than getting paid.

+1000

[Sathington W.]

Originally Posted by xzzy

For some people, getting the chance to play in front of a crowd is worth more than getting paid.

Mega +1

Edit: I was beat to it.