weeknight pay versus weekend pay

[jweiss]

Just got an offer for a Wednesday night gig for our 5-person jazz combo "to see if we are a good fit for the venue". This is a local bar / restaurant that has live music Wed-Sun. It's one of the few places in town that regularly books jazz. I'm wondering if I should ask for our standard weekend rate of $100 per person, or less because the place will likely be less busy on a weekday.

Any experience with this?

Thanks,

Jeff

[iamoldschool]

Humpday is as good as a weekend. Buck a man for a standard 4 hour gig. If you shorten the pay, you gotta shorten the gig.

[TheDarkReaver]

my band is on the "lucky to be payed" rate.

[Phalex]

We're looking at doing a Wednesday night thing as well. I think we're knocking $100.00 off of the two weekend night rate and seeing if it goes. It's a nicer club, and I gotta be at my day job on Thursday morning.

[corinpills]

As long as you're sure that you will bring $500 worth of extra customers to the club on a weeknight. Otherwise, they will quickly discover that it's more profitable to have two more tables available in the space your band is taking up. You just have to be worth the real estate you're using.

[jweiss]

Thanks very much for all of the feedback!

Here's my take on the venue:

There is an elevated stage, we are not taking up floor space.

People are coming here primarily for the food and drink, and to hear live music (primarily jazz) while they eat/drink Wed-Sun. However, it is my impression that a particular band is not the main draw on any give night (with the exception of perhaps a few friends of the band). All the music is by local bands.

Don't know if that helps any or not. My guess is that they see the music as part of their nightly operating costs.

Of course if they sell less food/drink on a weeknight...

I think I'm going to start by offering our standard rate and see where that takes us.

Cheers,

Jeff

[hunta]

Price your band in terms of the impression you want to make on the bar owners. If you price yourself too low, they'll think you're amateurs and don't know what you're doing. If you price too high, same deal. Keep in mind that this is basically an audition (opportunity). Do you want the gig? How bad do they want you? You have to charge accordingly. Did they approach you or did you approach them? If they came looking for you, charge more.

If they really want you, they'll pay a reasonable price. Don't be afraid to lowball for the audition so you can get your normal rate (or better) later. Just make it clear that it's a discount, and if they want to hire you on a regular basis you need full pay. Do it like a business deal (that's what it is). Be confident but not arrogant. Perform like a pro, and also conduct business like a pro.

[IanStephenson]

Originally Posted by hunta

Don't be afraid to lowball for the audition so you can get your normal rate (or better) later. Just make it clear that it's a discount, and if they want to hire you on a regular basis you need full pay.

+1

This works for us. First time is less to get in the door, BUT the regular price is discussed upfront.

Be straight with the place. Let them know YOU'RE doing THEM a favour, and not the other way round. After a couple of gigs, you'll know if they're making money on a Wednesday, or if they're scamming you for less money. You can then either walk, demand full rate, or asked to be moved to a weekend.

I'd be happy to cut a place a break if they're struggling to make ends meet. Strangly it's always the places that are packed out, and/or think they have a great reputation that are tightest with paying.

Ian

[ding_man]

Hey tell us how it turns out for you.

[jweiss]

Originally Posted by ding_man

Hey tell us how it turns out for you.

Will do - I will be talking with them about $$ tomorrow night.

Jeff