You don't draw well

[Gearhead17]

The bar shall remain nameless, but we were told that our pay will be reduced at "this bar" because our draw was not good last time we played there. I have not the slightest clue how they determined what our "actual draw" was. Did they interview the people who came in? (yeah right...) The bar ended up packed by 10:30pm anyway and after midnight they were easily towards a 1,000 people. On the flip side, we have to start at 9:30, and be done at 12:30. 1 break in between. None of the door money is ours. The bar is open to 4am or 5am on Saturdays and has a great natural draw.

It's an easy gig, we get a tab for drinks, and are out of there early. Good pay too. The crowd is lackluster every time though, maybe 100 people like what we are doing and everyone else is chatting with each other. We don't chase anyone out of there and we are not too loud......

This one perplexes me, but whatever. Luckily it is not a huge decrease, just wondering how you can "punish" a band that keeps people in the bar?

[mboogiemanusa]

Sounds like you may need a few ringers in the audience to give the impression to club owners that there are folks in the audience that are "really" into the band. One of the bands that I do sound for always brings a party posse of band wives, girlfriends and other assorted characters to every gig. This party posse of around 12 to 15 core members job is to dance, yell, clap, shout, scream and show support for the band. This group pretty much primes the pump so to speak and it doesn't hurt that most of the band women are attractive dress to the nines types. Exactly the type of clientele most clubs desire. Musically there are better bands around but no one has a better party crew. I realize that most bands can't do this but club owners do take notice between bands that are there to lead the party and bands that are there just to punch the clock and do a paid gig.

[CrashCarlisle]

I'm not a fan of bars that expect me to bring the whole crowd. What, you can't get anybody in there yourself?

[Marko5657]

1,000 people… that’s a sizable bar.

And 100 being into what you’re doing ain’t bad, since it’s not a concert, and many people enjoy the music even though they’re not dancing or even looking at you.

I realize the age span may be great with that many people, but is there a general age group?

Are the people who tend to be dancing comprised of a particular age group, and is there an age group there that tends to not be dancing?

[Joe Nerve]

Hmmm... pays well, free drinks, easy gig, they're telling you BEFORE you play that they're going to reduce your pay, you admit that out of 1000 people only around 100 seem interested. I say you thank them.

And I'd add at least 10 new songs (that I'm certain will go over) before the next time I went in if I wanted to hold onto the gig for the future. I'd probably go see one of the clubs more popular bands and see what songs they're playing.

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The bar ended up packed by 10:30pm anyway and after midnight they were easily towards a 1,000 people.

If the bar was "packed" at 10:30 and then "increased" (I assume) to upwards of 1,000, my mind wonders how, if you did have a larger draw, your people would have fit into the club?



Perhaps they meant that you didn't "draw" the attention of enough of those who were there. Maybe they expect you to captivate more than 10% of the audience.

In addition to Joe Nerve's advice, is there a way you can pump up your show? Better dress, more stage energy, more lighting?

[Marko5657]

Yes, if a band plays a place on a regular basis, it’s good to add songs, and if the place has a diverse crowd, adding variety would also have its benefits.

People do like a larger variety of music than many bands/musicians give them credit for, especially as the age goes up. Even if that means there will be songs someone won’t particularly like, they know they’ll like the next, or next one.

I can look at a setlist that a band swears is diverse, but it’s just not imo.

How hard is it to grab a few oldies tunes, maybe a popular country tune or two, and it’s amazing how a slow-dance song will fill the dance floor.


Iow, see who’s not paying attention, and do something to bring them in.

[pudgychef]

Originally Posted by ChrisB2

In addition to Joe Nerve's advice, is there a way you can pump up your show? Better dress, more stage energy, more lighting?

when I have been on the other side (GM of a bar) bar sales and the door would tell the tale most clearly - if band A gets 1000 people through the door and they spend $15 each - while band B gets 900 through the door who spend $9 each - I like Band A - the crowd would look about the same to anyone not privy to the #s....but read outs don't lie...

so I find throwing a few tunes that get the ladies dancing is the key - they get dancing, guys get interested, they buy the girls drinks, and another one for themselves...which gets the girls dancing more..and the cycle continues...

[etoncrow]

Bar owner contacted us about playing a gig. We told him our price and he said he would never pay a band that much. We offered to play for the door and we would provide our own door man. He accepted our offer. The next time he booked us he paid our asking price.

[MNAirHead]

Sounds like the wrong bar for you

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Sounds like the wrong bar for you

+1.

Find a greener pasture.

[drpepper]

Wow, that's so far outside of my experience, it's hard to imagine. I don't think I've ever been to a live music type bar with 1,000 people...maybe in the 80's.

Anyway, possibly useless input/observation from the peanut gallery--an upside to these "A room" situations is that, strictly speaking, the band doesn't have to bring in a single person and these places are packed...that "natural draw" you mention. Logically, the other side of that same coin is they don't need you specifically, and they can arbitrarily decide to test that.

There are bands lined up around the corner who will gladly take your place, probably for less than your reduced rate. The bar will pay what they determine they have to.

So, "punish you?" No. It looks like you're simply not in the driver's seat and what's fair, reasonable, acceptable can become a moving target that you may have to adjust to.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The bar shall remain nameless, but we were told that our pay will be reduced at "this bar" because our draw was not good last time we played there. I have not the slightest clue how they determined what our "actual draw" was. Did they interview the people who came in? (yeah right...) The bar ended up packed by 10:30pm anyway and after midnight they were easily towards a 1,000 people. On the flip side, we have to start at 9:30, and be done at 12:30. 1 break in between. None of the door money is ours. The bar is open to 4am or 5am on Saturdays and has a great natural draw.

It's an easy gig, we get a tab for drinks, and are out of there early. Good pay too. The crowd is lackluster every time though, maybe 100 people like what we are doing and everyone else is chatting with each other. We don't chase anyone out of there and we are not too loud......

This one perplexes me, but whatever. Luckily it is not a huge decrease, just wondering how you can "punish" a band that keeps people in the bar?

First off, I'm not trying to discredit you but what "bar" holds 1000 people?!?!

Bar owners don't necessarily keep a tab on how many people walk through their door but they do keep an eye on sales. If this month's sales are down and you just happened to start playing this month, you're the reason why sales are down, whether it's true or not. And if you're only entertaining 100 people and the bar has a "natural draw" of 1000, that's a 10% share and there's the problem. The crowd isn't there to see you, they're just there. Ya know? Milk it while you can and keep an eye out for other opportunities.

[need4mospd]

It's funny how club/bar owners think bar bands can have huge draws these days. I just don't see bands, at least in my small city of 6 million people, drawing any more than 30-50 people. And that's for the REALLY good pro bands. They play bars that are packed no matter what.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by Marko5657

1,000 people… that’s a sizable bar.

And 100 being into what you’re doing ain’t bad, since it’s not a concert, and many people enjoy the music even though they’re not dancing or even looking at you.

I realize the age span may be great with that many people, but is there a general age group?

Are the people who tend to be dancing comprised of a particular age group, and is there an age group there that tends to not be dancing?

That bar can easily hold 1200 people, BUT that includes a downstairs section and this is purely a late night bar. Even our normal fans have no intention of coming to this bar prior to 9:30pm. Chicago bars start filling between 10pm and 11:30pm unless a crazy drink special is in motion.

The age group is 21-35. Our set list is diverse - modern dance tunes, modern rock, alternative hits, 80's classics. At other venues, people go nuts for it! At this bar, no one goes there for music.

[Gearhead17]

A good 90% is not paying attention to anything we do at this particular bar. It really does suck playing here, but as was already mentioned - milk it and find somewhere better to play. We play the same music at another place and it's like throwing gasoline on a fire! Huge chick involvement and the crowd eats it up.

The bar is purely a socializing place and nothing more. You could honestly put NO band in there and make nearly the same amount of money each and every night. They also tuck away the band in a corner and you have to be within 20 feet of the stage to actually see more than 3 people. I have checked out pictures and talked to other bands and it looks to be the same situation for them at "this" bar. Lots of people, but only 10% care.

I also thought about - "Where would OUR crowd go if the place is going to get filled up anyway?" I have no clue where they would fit. And as I mentioned before, the stage is setup in a corner with no concern of stage show.

At least the sound guys there have good equipment and are easy to work with.

[modulusman]

Are you using your own PA and is it adequate for a room that size? If you are not using subs you should be. EDIT - I posted this as you were posting your above response. I see that the bar has it's own PA.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Are you using your own PA and is it adequate for a room that size? If you are not using subs you should be. EDIT - I posted this as you were posting your above response. I see that the bar has it's own PA.

Monster subs, good monitors, and a decent setup overall. BUT, I think are mixing us to sound more like "background music". I hear a lot of bass through the PA, but it seems ridiculous how close we are to the bar and the people. No one is complaining they can not hear people talking, so they must be sucking out the midrange pretty good so we are not overpowering the crowd.

[rtslinger]

Hey that is a lot of people but, if no one drinks or eats anything that it means very little to a bar owner. IF Eddie VH himself could walk in the door and play mad riffs would su*k if the sales at the end of the night weren't there period. It isn't about your playing well it is about how many drinks pour that night. I have seen bands that were horrible and I am talking outright "F" horrible and they have a lot of drinking friends and they are asked back and bands that wouldn't let them carry their instruments who can't demand that kind of reckless drinking fan base don't plain and simple.

[jive1]

Once a bar manager asked me how well my band drew.

I said, "None of us majored in art in college, but I'm sure we could all draw a stick figure. Now what does that have to do with our ability to entertain your crowd?"