What to charge for New Years

Diggler · #1 05-26-2007, 12:16 PM

I was wondering if there was any standard formula, based on your normal price, as to what you should ask for a New Years Eve gig. We normally pull in $500-600/night, I was thinking $1200? They said to get back to them with a price.

This is for a private club (Moose club).

IanStephenson · #2 05-26-2007, 06:23 PM

Last year we got double our standard rate (for a venue we play regularly). However we played three sets instead of our usuall two, and given that we all had elsewheres to be, we all felt it hadn't been worth it. It didn't help that the bar charged over the odds to get in, and kept changing their prices/policy, so the place wasn't jumping like we hoped.

We said we wouldn't do New Years again, but we are - at a place down the street that we KNOW will be packed. We know we'll be playing a lot longer than usuall, so we asked, and got triple pay.

IF it's a good gig, I'd ask for triple and be prepared to accept double, but only if its a gig you WANT to do.

Ian

**Freddels** · #3 05-26-2007, 06:28 PM

An agreement (in writing) to pay triple your regular rate would get them a guarantee. Double rate should allow you to seek other gigs b/w not and a date certain (e.g., Oct 1) and if you haven't found a better paying gig by that date then you notify them that they've got a firm deal. I think this gives you time to look for a better gig since it's only May (why lock yourself in to the lower rate now?).

mchildree · #4 05-27-2007, 05:33 AM

In my area (the Southeast), the tradition has been double your normal fee for NYE. But that's just the base rate....a group that's really in demand can shoot for the moon, and somebody always seems ready to fork it over.

johnvice · #5 05-27-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

IF it's a good gig, I'd ask for triple and be prepared to accept double, but only if its a gig you WANT to do.

+1

I know a lot of pro bands who 'hold out' on New Years Eve. It's that magical day of the year when the demand for a performing band exceeds the supply. If somone want sto book you now and pay triple your standard rate, I'd take it.

As Ian points out, is it a good gig ?

Diggler · #6 05-27-2007, 08:25 AM

It's a good gig, in the aspect that it's within a few miles of 3 of our 4 band members' houses, it's a hometown gig and it's a next day teardown. We get a good crowd there too.

**Freddels** · #7 05-27-2007, 08:46 AM

Sounds like you want the gig. Start the negotiations at 3x rate and spell out what they get (# of sets, how long you'll play, etc). If they don't want to pay that much then negotiate down but once you hit the 2x rate the "extras" get reduced too. You might be able to negotiate some tickets for the night for friends/family and/or to sell. Meals?