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Booked a show, better one came along same night now what?

#62
two fingers said:
Well, it all depends on a few factors.

1) How much does the first place pay and hw much does the second? If we're talking a couple hundred bucks difference it's not worth bringing up.

2) What is your relationship with the first guy? Has he been loyal to you for a long time?

3) Do you guys play for a living or are you weekend warriors?

You see, everyone's knee will jerk into "Don't be a douche" mode without knowing all the facts. I have long-standing relationships with lots of club owners. I can think or several I know I could call and reschedule with. And I could even tell them why. They get it and would be totally fine with it. And they'll hug my neck next time I pull up to load out. They use all kinds of bands and it would be nothing for them to call some hometown guys down the street and plug them in the spot. Heck, I have even called other bands before hand and then called the club owner and said.....
"Hey, Mike. We would love to go play a swanky place in Myrtle Beach on th 27th. The Hoss Kats can do your place that night. Is that OK with you?"

(On that occasion Mike said sure as long as I bring him a Margaritaville T-shirt.... which I happily did.)

So there aren't any absolutes here. Most guys here take bar gigs WAAAAAAAAAY too seriously. We're playing rock n roll and selling beer. We're not saving the world.

If you know the guy well, call him and ask. Just be honest. And if he holds you to the date show up with a smile and play a great show.
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I like to keep it simple: First come, first served. That's why I'm able to have good relationships with the people who hire me.
 
#64
Chef said:
Booked is booked.
I'd tell the second venue "sorry we're already booked, but shoot me some other open dates and I'll report back."
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I dunno about you, but I actually LIKE to tell booking people that we're booked for whatever date they're asking. It's a positive message that means 'we're in demand and busy'.
 
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#65
Bunk McNulty said:
I like to keep it simple: First come, first served. That's why I'm able to have good relationships with the people who hire me.
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Fair enough. What works for you is fine.

I was just stating that because of already established good relationships am am granted some flexibility by many of the club owners I consider friends. I certainly wouldn't try that with a stranger.

(And while we're at it OP I wouldn't try it with anyone over $200).
 
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#66
JaredBT said:
Yep, really all was asking for by posting was opinions regarding bringing up the situation honestly to the first guy. Was just going to share my dilemma with him, let him know what he means to us and feel out the waters regarding a solution and like originally stated, if the conversation starts going south, reel it back in and still stick with the prior schedule.
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Do you actually think you can start this conversation and then, "reel it back in"? Don't you think the club owner will remember the conversation next time you ask for a booking? If I were the club owner, and you had this conversation with me, I'd tell you to take the higher paying gig and not worry about doing so. That would be my last conversation with you about booking a gig in my establishment. It's your choice.
 
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#68
two fingers said:
Fair enough. What works for you is fine.

I was just stating that because of already established good relationships am am granted some flexibility by many of the club owners I consider friends. I certainly wouldn't try that with a stranger.

(And while we're at it OP I wouldn't try it with anyone over $200).
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I have a hard time getting anyone to agree to a gig for 200$. I ended up pulling a unilateral decision on a 200$ gig after it took more than 6 months to find an agreeable open date...but it was a band conditional...only once will we do it. You start paying musicians to play, next thing you know they've come to expect it.
 
#69
BurningSkies said:
I have a hard time getting anyone to agree to a gig for 200$. I ended up pulling a unilateral decision on a 200$ gig after it took more than 6 months to find an agreeable open date...but it was a band conditional...only once will we do it. You start paying musicians to play, next thing you know they've come to expect it.
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"paid?"
What an unusual word.
 
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#74
Reminds we when I booked bands at the university camp in Lund Sweden, at the start of 1990s. Sweden devalued their currency and everyone went into a steel bath.Turning on every dime. Internet was still far away, and bands had to tour. The bands ususally played for a fee, and the venue took like 500 people standing. We had a lot of famous Scandinavian acts, but all of a sudden we had to have nights without any entrance fee, because ... well, no one came out! We had to offer free attendance. We took it from another budget, we still had to pay those bands. We had the Del Lords from US, Phsychedelic Furs, Jelly Jam and they came on, played their gigs, and then went happily away. Cheering crowd. "Sold out" every night so to speak, i e the venue was full. Well, the audience bought beer in considerable amounts, eased off the finances somewhat.

The only ones who had the nerve to cancel their small-town-low-paying-gig was... Nirvana!* Remember I swore, and called them douchebags until I watched their placing on the charts. It was two weeks prior, and we had made ads of it. No one complained though, since no one had to buy any tix...:D

They didn't call anyone else to step in for them. ;) Douchebags!

* At that time. I still thought that it was those old Nirvana from England. Hippie-pop type duo. Thought it would be fun to see what they're about in these days... ha ha!
 
#75
Chef said:
#somanyknobs
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This thread, the places we play, or that setup?

Actually I got rid of the Soundcraft integrated unit which was acting as our monitor board. The silver IPR that was my bass amp became our monitor amp and my setup is a bit easier and sound cleaner. We've played enough that our live sound is pretty well dialed in for most of the 'do sound from the stage' venues that we play...so it's a matter of volume adjustments for the vocal levels and keeping the monitors from feeding back with a loud stage volume in a small space.
 
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#76
If the new gig is obviously the golden opportunity towards your band's prolonged and profitabble success, than you gotta do what's best for you.

If it's anything less and you are npt ok with some sour feelings and maybe losing the original venue for good, don't do it.
 
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#77
Generally speaking you honor the first gig. However, if the new gig represents a significant opportunity then sometimes you have to seize it.

There are classy ways of backing out of a gig as well as classless ways of backing out of a gig.

If I have never played the first venue before (and would like to play it in the future) then I probably just honor that gig. But if the first gig is at a place that I have a history with, I might talk to the owner (after already putting in effort to secure a replacement band that fits the night and would have a similar draw). If I have to back out I want to burden the owner as little as possible, and try and keep the relationship on as good of terms as possible.

I would also add that canceling and playing the other gig over money would be poor form (unless we are talking about a major increase). However, switching because you have the opportunity to open for a major act, or play an amazing venue (and it might be your only chance) are all fair reasons to reschedule. And ones that an owner would be more likely to understand.
 
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#79
This happens every now and then; You booked a gig and then a higher paying gig opportunity comes along for the same date ... if the $$ is the most important aspect of the gig and you won't be leaving the first venue high and dry for a band booking, giving them enough time to book a replacement band, then make the call early and hope that no bridges get broken. Of course there is the likely chance they'll never book you again so measure the long term value of the two gig opportunities; regular booking possibilities, wage potential of each, fun factor, audience friendly environment, parking, load in/out, location, is there a jumbo shrimp buffet? etc. Chances are you'll sacrifice any chances of booking the original venue again so make sure that jumbo shrimp buffet is real jumbo shrimp and not popcorn shrimp.
 
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#80
I'm with the ask and see crowd. It all depends on your relationship with the club owner but no harm in asking if you have a decent rapport. First I wold check with any already booked bands for a date swap though.
 

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