To Play or Not (Or get paid or not)

[5andFretless]

Background - We are a working cover band that plays bars, festivals, etc all over the area. We are experienced and in moderate demand. We don't have a following, just a reputation as a good solid band and we have no problem drawing a crowd.

Last Saturday night we played at a bar that we play at several times each summer. Been there, done that, many times. Never a problem, always a crowd. We were not originally scheduled to play Saturday but we got called on Monday and asked to sub for a band that had backed out/been fired. They had been scheduled to play the previous Saturday, had set up, and at 9 when there were only a few people in the bar, they tore down and left. They never even did a sound check. So the bars web site still showed them as the band, not us, and we had no time to do anything to get the word out that we would be there. We actually didn't worry too much about it because there is always a crowd without advertising.

We showed up at 6, set up and sound checked, and then left and came back at 8:45 like we always do and no one was there. Maybe 10 people. A normal crowd for this place is in the 150 to 300 range. We went on, played our 3 sets, got paid and left.

Between sets we discussed getting paid. Unlike the bar, we aren't a business and getting paid will not make or break us. It is only a principle thing. We all realized that the bar was loosing its @$$ on this night and we considered telling the owner that the show was on us. We would hate to see one of the few nice bars in the area that has live music loose a bunch of money.

In the end the bar paid us and we didn't say anything, but it felt wrong.

Anyone else ever been in this situation? What did you do?

As a side note, we are back there in June, July, and August - the normal summer months that we play at this place.

[need4mospd]

You do one freebie for a slow night, they'll start to expect reduced rates for any slower than average night. That would be a BAD move.

[makaky]

Do you get bonus if the place is jam packed for a couple of hours and the beer is selling ?

[BillyRay]

I've been in a few situations where the people for who I was playing gave a reduced rate to someone for reason X or Y (friend of a friend, to give a fledging bar a chance, etc.)

Every time we would play this place in the future, reduced rates were asked for stupid reasons. It's flat rate or nothing. The only time I'd entertain giving a reduced rate in the future is for a charity or some such.

[Phalex]

Need4mospd and Makaky both have excellent points.


I've been in the exact same position with the no turnout issue, and I too feel guilty in that instance. I feel my job is to bring people into the bar. If we aren't doing that, I feel we haven't achieved our goal.


That being said, we have never left any money sitting on the table. We agree to play for a set amount, and always fulfill our obligations by playing 4 sets of material at the agreed upon times.

We do have an arrangement with one bar that goes something like this:

They know what an "Average" weekend nights sales are. If they make an amount up to the average, we get paid a set rate. If they bring in a substantial amount more than the average the bar owner gives us a bump at his discretion. We usually get the bump. We play his club at the "Old Rate" (We had a price increase last year) but we usually walk out of there with more than the new rate. It's a sweet deal, and I think we both benefit from it.

[ThunderLizard]

5and-
I think we've all been in this situation. You wanted to do a good job, and you did. Your band probably played some 'solid' sets.
Most businesses have a budget that includes entertainment. Some nights they make a lot of money, some nights they break even and some nights they lose. Just make an extra effort to get the word out on your other gigs and pack the place for them.

[bigtexashonk]

Doing a benefit every now and again isn't a big deal, but if you get a reputation for giving your work away for free, clubs/bars/people will start to think it has no value.

Take the $ and if you feel bad for the bar owner, buy several rounds for the house if it's a slow night. Goodwill for the bar and for the folks.

[makaky]

Originally Posted by bigtexashonk

Doing a benefit every now and again isn't a big deal, but if you get a reputation for giving your work away for free, clubs/bars/people will start to think it has no value.

Take the $ and if you feel bad for the bar owner, buy several rounds for the house if it's a slow night. Goodwill for the bar and for the folks.

Good idee

[lonote]

While I admire your integrity, this situation isn't your band's fault or your band's responsibility. You filled in for another band at the bar's request. In essence, you did the bar a favor. Playing for free when you've agreed on a price would be a bad idea. Im sure the small house was due to the other band appearing in all the promo for the gig. The bar realizes it isn't your fault or you'd have heard about it.

[pointbass]

I completely understand feeling sympathy for a preferred venue but in this case it wasn't your fault. If the crowds were non-existent because your band failed to draw in your own groupies/fans through lousy advertising/publicity, then maybe you cut a favorite place a break. But when you are helping out last minute, it's not your problem .....

[svenbass]

In that situation, I / we usually leave a fat tip for the bartenders, as their income will directly suffer from a slow night, and it doesn't take much to spread the wealth. If it's a place you play regularly, a small gesture like that will go a long way.

It is also worth noting that many an owner would try to stiff the band on such a slow night, so the club is at least acting in a professional manner. Maybe a little extra promo on your end for the next show there? ..... packing the place to the gills should even out your guilt.