Band Pay: Rule of Thumb For Getting Gigs?

[LowEnd88]

Hi Everyone,

So my 5 piece cover band is just starting out, and we have 3 paid gigs that our singer has booked. He brought up the idea, should the person booking the gigs get paid extra?

Short answer is yes, as he should get compensated for his effort. But how much? And should he get paid that same amount for return gigs at the same venue? What if the venue calls us up and offers us a gig (which requires no work from the band member), or we get a somewhat regular gig at a venue?

The initial thought was 28% for the booker, and 18% for the other four. Which seems like a great incentive to get a gig for the first time. But what happens if immediately after the singer books another 3 gigs with the venue? Surely little work was required to get the return gig.

Let me know what has and hasn't worked for you. I tried searching for similar threads but couldn't find any. Post some threads if you know where to find them.

Thanks!

[jmattbassplaya]

In me experiences, the Booker does not get extra pay. Why? Because that's their role in the band. Another guy will handle advertising and promotion, another handles marketing and general business, another guy will handle scheduling, etc... All are important aspects of running a band, and none are more important than any other.

[need4mospd]

Could go either way. You wouldn't have the other three gigs without the first booking. Keeping that incentive in place can keep a band busy. If you don't like your mate making an extra cut, you always have the option to book a higher paying gig somewhere else. What if YOU booked that repeat gig? Would you feel right taking the extra cut?

[MNAirHead]

Over the years seems as if the following work

15% for who manages the gig and gets a signature

10% for who does the p

Split the rest

----/

I'd suggest the lifetime comission as its not as easy as running to a cash machine

If you're jealous of his potential commission go and book some gigs

I always extend commission to spouses, friends and fans.

One of my most dedicated band friends never pays for drinks and makes about 1000 per year off the band - she also brings 10-14 people per gig

[bobbybass85]

My Opinion:

If someone lands a gig, the 10% extra is great. If that gig leads to the venue inviting you back then the pay should be split evenly.

I look at the venue asking you back no differently than if another band asked you to open for them and were paying you for it. That should be an even split.

Now, if someone is working to get additional gigs back at one location, they should still (IMO) get a little extra for maintaining that relationship and getting work for you. Maybe only an extra 5% for the return gigs is fair?

[-Kramer-]

Never been in this situation, but maybe something like 24% for the booker if the venue approaches you because of the show, but the 28% again if the booker has to go back and make the effort to get booked again.

One way that I have used in the past before to save you from the weird fractions would be to give the booker 10 - 15% of the overall and then split the rest. Then you could say 5 - 10 % for the same venue if they approach you for booking.

[bobbybass85]

Oh and I forgot... ALWAYS be grateful for the pay and opportunity to play!

[lfmn16]

I've never been in a band where a member got extra for booking and in my last band I did most of the booking. However, I have no problem giving someone extra for booking the gig and I would have no problem giving them the same amount regardless if it is the first time or 10th time in the same room. Booking a band is a lot of work and there is a lot of coordination even for a return date.

Ask the singer what he wants. I would think that 10-15% off the top would be adequate. Maybe that would be incentive for the rest of the band to look for work.

[LowEnd88]

Originally Posted by need4mospd

...What if YOU booked that repeat gig? Would you feel right taking the extra cut?

That's another thing that could be an issue. If we get a repeat gig but one of the other band members arranges it, I would hate for the singer to feel like that money was stolen from him.

There is something to be said for getting and maintaining contacts. But it would be unfortunate if people were to get 'territorial' over the venues/contacts.

[SteveC]

We generally split even for all our gigs. However, if the pay for the gig doesn't divide evenly, the guy who booked it will keep the extra buck or two.

[theretheyare]

I'd say that the booking fee 10% rule applies to a booking band member, the way it would apply to a non-playing booker: if the gig in question guarantees a certain pre-agreed fee for every band member.

Working with a pre-agreed per-man deal also is good for other things: for example, if you get a bit more on occasion, you can fill the war chest with that. (for recording, web hosting, unforeseen common expenses and so on)

[LowEnd88]

Originally Posted by bobbybass85

My Opinion:

If someone lands a gig, the 10% extra is great. If that gig leads to the venue inviting you back then the pay should be split evenly.

I look at the venue asking you back no differently than if another band asked you to open for them and were paying you for it. That should be an even split.

Now, if someone is working to get additional gigs back at one location, they should still (IMO) get a little extra for maintaining that relationship and getting work for you. Maybe only an extra 5% for the return gigs is fair?

I like this.

[jmattbassplaya]

Just an addition - I'm a strong believer of keeping pay equal amongst members. It leaves too much room for jealousy or anger over people's role and importance in a band if it's any way but equal. Sure, me getting my band our gigs is important, but I wouldn't be as successful as I am at getting them without the awesome web pages my band mate made or without the demo we got recorded thanks to the suggestion of a producer from another member.

[Thom7]

I would split everything evenly. You're a band as a whole, book gigs as a whole and play as a whole. My two cents anyway.

What's the next thing? Drummer gets paid extra because his instrument is physically more intensive?

[LowEnd88]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

In me experiences, the Booker does not get extra pay. Why? Because that's their role in the band. Another guy will handle advertising and promotion, another handles marketing and general business, another guy will handle scheduling, etc... All are important aspects of running a band, and none are more important than any other.

This also raises and interesting question. If we are going to compensate someone for bringing in gigs, shouldn't we also compensate the band members who are running around the city putting up and designing posters, or some other act that benefits the band?

At this point we are just starting out so designating someone to handle 'general business' isn't a role were feeling a need for yet. It could happen though.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by theretheyare

Working with a pre-agreed per-man deal also is good for other things

+1

Nothing breaks up a band faster than misunderstandings, especially about money. These things should be decided upfront.

[bigfatbass]

The first answer is still your best one. I have played for money in almost every capacity for almost 30 years, and never have I heard of a gig where the bandmember who bangs the phone gets an extra 28% off the top. 10-15% sure, if they are indeed doing the majority of the cash generating side. If other band members are handling all the press releases/sticker/van parking/whatever, then no extra percentage should be required or expected. Everybody works for the band.

A gig where there is a specific figurehead with a band of hired guns, often pays the band members a flat rate per show, and keeps the balance regardless of percentage.

The biggest and best booking agencies on earth usually take 15%, and less for repeat bookings and under-minimum slots.

For a cover band just starting out it is good you are considering about these things, but don't over think it. You are talking about 3 gigs here. If the band really starts filling the calendar, throw him an extra couple bucks every few gigs. No one should be looking to get rich, and if the bandmates are this concerned about who is getting paid what, before you play a note in a club, you might want to readdress your priorities.

[LowEnd88]

Originally Posted by theretheyare

I'd say that the booking fee 10% rule applies to a booking band member, the way it would apply to a non-playing booker: if the gig in question guarantees a certain pre-agreed fee for every band member.

Working with a pre-agreed per-man deal also is good for other things: for example, if you get a bit more on occasion, you can fill the war chest with that. (for recording, web hosting, unforeseen common expenses and so on)

So like guarantee everyone $50, and everything beyond that goes to the band account? This would go with the assumption that poor paying gigs would be turned down.

[jaywa]

Anything over 20% is highway robbery, whether that goes to a band member or a third party.

In our band the BL does all the bookings and he gets a 2nd cut for that. We're a 5-man band so taxes and gas come off the top, then we split what's left 6 ways and he gets that extra 6th. I.e., just under 17%. HOWEVER, on top of the bookings, the BL owns and maintains all the P.A. and lights as well as the vehicle to transport it. So when you combine that with the bookings then 17% isn't a bad deal at all, IMO.

[Jarrett]

I'm a fan of equal splits. Everyone can chip in on getting gigs.