Never let the singer book your gigs....

guy n. cognito · #1 05-12-2008, 04:15 PM

Our singer, through one of his friends, got a lead months ago for a wedding gig this weekend. Since he got the lead, the other band members agreed to let him run with it. First off, he agreed to a payment much lower than we deserve, because the mother of the bride assured him that it would be a "short wedding." He, of course, got no details about location (other than "outside") staging, size of crowd, special song requests, etc. We've been begging him to get these details, so he finally did it......today.

The wedding and reception will be held at the same place, meaning we have to be set up well before the wedding, and will total about 9 hours on this gig. The bride also has three special song requests, all of which we have to learn before Saturday. This a mild problem since we all have day jobs. We were expected to wear tuxes, but we've told them "no" to that. No PA or lights will be provided, since they assumed that was part of our price.

A 9 hour (3+ performing) gig with full lights and PA for $1200. Idiot.

The upside? They paid in advance, in full.

Just needed to vent.

jsingles · #2 05-12-2008, 04:17 PM

wow that really bites....

invader3k · #3 05-12-2008, 08:44 PM

How many people are in your band?

Yeah, still pretty slim money for a wedding, I'm guessing, though.

Madness · #4 05-12-2008, 10:47 PM

Lame. How bad do you need this dude?

Trevorus · #5 05-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Yeah, put his leash back on...

calebbarton · #6 05-13-2008, 12:48 AM

eek thats really bad. the only wedding i would ever let my band play is my family weddings. that way i know everyone and if we suck cause of the free beer, noone cares.

Deacon_Blues · #7 05-13-2008, 01:11 AM

Doesn't sound too bad to me. I'd take that gig. I don't think I've ever done a wedding gig requiring less than 12 hours from the time we start carrying the stuff from the rehearsal room to the time we have the stuff back there. I guess the average have been 14-15 h. We charged 750 € / 4 persons + travel compensation back then. We disbanded some 5-6 years ago.

Anyway, there is no such a thing as a "short wedding gig" and in the case you need to bring an own PA and lighting stuff, there is no such thing as a "short gig" either. A short gig is one you come to with your instruments only and perhaps an amp or two, do a quick soundcheck with the band, play the gig and leave. Anyway, those are never shorter than 2-3 hours IME.

[rant]
Last weekend, I spent 14 hours (including a 3h rehearsal) on a gig paying 400€ / 4 persons without compensation for travel expenses. I felt like kicking the gig booker in the ass for that ****. He said the place wanted to "try us" first and if they like us we will get more gigs there that pay better. Sure, I believe that..

And on the gig, 50 miles from home, two people showed up in the restaurant/bar we were supposed to play in.... We played a set of approx. 10 songs to see if more people would show up, but no. So we packed our stuff and went home.

I guess I'm quitting that band. This gig above is not the only poorly paying gig I've done with those people. The gig booker (terrible keyboardist, btw) have proved for many years he can't book proper gigs. He's also the manager and keyboardist in a reggae band I play in. That one is more fun but the the singer have become a father now and we won't have a gig anytime soon with that constellation.
[/rant]

Sorry for ranting, but I felt I had to get that out...

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 05-13-2008, 01:18 AM

We almost did a wedding gig for $600, but thank goodness the groom found someone else. He didnt want to pay more than $200... and he is a musician... and he is a bass player (and a pretty good one... plays Sade jazzy type stuff) Anyway, he figured he could book us for next to nothing. We stipulated $600, no requests, they provide PA.

Guess we should have charged more... than he would have really pooped his pants. Rip-off artist.

Stumbo · #9 05-13-2008, 01:57 AM

A detailed fill-in check list is great for getting the details of a potential gig.
Have everyone review it before the band make a decision on the gig.
It's also a negotiating tool if some of the requirements are acceptable.
Finally, a signed contract incorporating the details is crucial.

Here's a book on Music Law that may help: http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...BDC4CA740/310/

jmcgliss · #10 05-13-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

A detailed fill-in check list is great for getting the details of a potential gig. Have everyone review it before the band make a decision on the gig. It's also a negotiating tool if some of the requirements are acceptable. Finally, a signed contract incorporating the details is crucial.

Here's a book on Music Law that may help: http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...BDC4CA740/310/

+1 we implemented a checklist that lets us make rational decisions about taking and pricing each gig based on hassle factors..."exposure" B.S. that noobs fall for doesn't enter into it.

tycobb73 · #11 05-13-2008, 08:29 AM

I'm guessing you're going to make $200+ for a days work. I'd do it.

JKT · #12 05-13-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcgliss

+1 we implemented a checklist that lets us make rational decisions about taking and pricing each gig based on hassle factors..."exposure" B.S. that noobs fall for doesn't enter into it.

Love the "exposure" angle. My response is always "expose" me to the cash.

Then there is always like something like: Hey, you have a band? I'm havin a party saturday, why don't you guys bring your instruments over? It'll be fun!Then I say something like, hey you're a carpenter right? Why don't you come over to my place saturday and build me a deck? It'll be fun! I'll buy the beer!

JKT

guy n. cognito · #13 05-13-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

How many people are in your band?

Yeah, still pretty slim money for a wedding, I'm guessing, though.

6.

Wedding bands around here can easily get $2-3000 for a full-length wedding reception. We had agreed to never do a wedding again for less than $1800 (indoors, short, with no requests) but our singer decided he knew better. The wedding planner has admitted to him in an email that we were the cheapest band by $1000. Then again, she also told us that we weren't allowed to eat or drink until all the guests leave (at 11:30 pm) and that we are to take our breaks in our "van" so as to not ruin the "visual plane" of the wedding.

guy n. cognito · #14 05-13-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcgliss

+1 we implemented a checklist that lets us make rational decisions about taking and pricing each gig based on hassle factors..."exposure" B.S. that noobs fall for doesn't enter into it.

Yeah, we have one of these, too. Didnt help too much.....

Geddyfleaharris · #15 05-14-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Yeah, put his leash back on...

Amen to that!

We did put the leash back on our singer. LOL He actually admits that he really doesn't want to book shows anyways. For some reason singers can never seem to get the details i.e. P.A. or no P.A., start times etc.

But they can usually negotiate for some free booze.....the important stuff!

Depth_Charge · #16 05-14-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

For some reason singers can never seem to get the details

I'd agree with that. When I first put my band together we had a singer come along but she didn't work out so we let her go.

Turns out she also books bands for a venue. Laughable at best. First she asked us to play our first gig their for free. Not a chance!

When we couldn't do the 17th May (guitarist away all weekend) I called her to tell her our schedule and she asked about the 16th instead. I said no, guitarist is away, so we booked the 13th June as planned, for our 3 set rate. I then asked about the 24th May instead of the 17th, and she complained that SHE couldn't get to the venue to check us out, so no!

And when we went down to the venue last week to check it out, they were expecting us to show up on the 16th!!!! And they wanted 4 sets for the 13th June gig, including a soft acoustic set during dinner service as well as themed for the Black Friday with full production - except the "agent" sold us at our normal 3 set rate! We let the venue off with an "introductory" rate on that one, since it wasn't their fault and they were already in the hole for the 16th.

Oh, and despite me calling her to tell her we would be at the venue after 6pm on a Wednesday to check it out and discuss the details, she wasn't there, so we had to track the owner down and introduce ourselves etc (prolly for the best). When I text her to see if she was on the way she said I never told her we were going down!!! Sheesh

So yeah, I agree ... don't let singers book gigs LOL.