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Anyone else feel like your gigs are suddenly drying up?

#121
Things have certainly taken a turn.

In the original project I started, we are just about booked out for the year. Averaging 2 shows a month. Some aren't paying exactly what we were hoping for but, I think as we began booking (and playing) shows and had more live footage for potential venues, we were able to demonstrate we are capable. And persistence.

In my other project, things are still slow but picking up. This was an established local, original band that covid shut down. The singer and guitarist stayed together. The singer, also band leader, is very particular about the shows he wants to book. He's not doing the bar scene. Using his contacts, he's looking for opening gigs for touring acts coming in town.

In either project, it is all very exciting.
 
#122
Was in Perth and they followed same model as gigs I saw in NE Texas as few months back.

Large bar.
Areas/rooms for games, betting, sports plus fois and drink and many workers.
The overhead and the essential need to fill that place because of running costs meant it was a miserable music experience.

Band largely ignored.
I avoid gigs in those places like the plague but you never know in new places.
Pluses is..lots of new ..for us..places.
Minuses...loads of new bands that lack quality.

That I'm really looking forward to playing a bar whereby the booker has cultivated such a vibe and following, I being forwarded by people on SM even though this is our first gig there.
This is the way I prefer gigs to be; dedicated band gigs/events and not some after thought in corner.

Next week, I have, I suspect, one of the latter.
Will compare reactions and experience of the two.
 
#123
pepj said:
Was in Perth and they followed same model as gigs I saw in NE Texas as few months back.

Large bar.
Areas/rooms for games, betting, sports plus fois and drink and many workers.
The overhead and the essential need to fill that place because of running costs meant it was a miserable music experience.

Band largely ignored.
I avoid gigs in those places like the plague but you never know in new places.
Pluses is..lots of new ..for us..places.
Minuses...loads of new bands that lack quality.

That I'm really looking forward to playing a bar whereby the booker has cultivated such a vibe and following, I being forwarded by people on SM even though this is our first gig there.
This is the way I prefer gigs to be; dedicated band gigs/events and not some after thought in corner.

Next week, I have, I suspect, one of the latter.
Will compare reactions and experience of the two.
Click to expand...
We played in a place like that. It was called Loomis. We dubbed it “Gloomis”
 
#124
StereoPlayer said:
We played in a place like that. It was called Loomis. We dubbed it “Gloomis”
Click to expand...

Yep, as said, soul destroying, imv.
The problem is that they aren't or weren't, the usual model, but since civod, bars are adapting.. some in a positive way..some less so.

Small place with 3 or 4 staff, in comfy bar can probably do ok on 60 odd people prepared to drink and have a good time and largely stay and be entertained for 2 hrs.
Larger bar...completely different set of parameters.
 
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#127
Have to find musicians to make a band to make gigs, still stuck at step 1. But from what I've seen and heard from local bands there are plenty of gigs. They all pay terribly or not at all here so that's unchanged from before.
 
#129
$100 a night per man for a 4 piece should be the rate.
If they can't do that the gig isnt a viable event for them..and it will be a soulless endeavour anyway...but you need to match your gigging vision with theirs...if they have one and if they don't, thats a red flag
 
#133
pepj said:
$100 a night per man for a 4 piece should be the rate.
If they can't do that the gig isnt a viable event for them..and it will be a soulless endeavour anyway...but you need to match your gigging vision with theirs...if they have one and if they don't, thats a red flag
Click to expand...
I'm doubling down on one of my earlier comments....the rate should be for the band, not per band member. Not sure how you meant it here.
 
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#134
Egg250 said:
I'm doubling down on one of my earlier comments....the rate should be for the band, not per band member. Not sure how you meant it here.
Click to expand...

Should be, but that's not how it works in a lot inside-the-loop DFW bars. Owners see a 3 piece and figure they don't have to pay as much as a 4 piece. It may not be right; It just is.

Part of why I'm grateful to be working mostly outside the loop from the distant northern 'burbs and beyond.
 
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#135
The fee is the gig here. How you decide to split it is down to the band.
3 pieces don't do too well against the 4 piece for same fee, but depends on the quality..
I'm trying to think of a very good 3 piece..they are thin on the ground, irc.

So I guess the rate works out at just over $60 an hr for playing time or realistically getting down near $20 an hr door to door.
Assuming travel is around 90mins in total
 

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