Does raising rates lead to more gigs?

[mstillman]

It's late 2025 and I'm curious what cover bands have found about this issue. I'm especially interested in cover bands that do classic rock thru present day hits.

Many older posts generally suggest raising rate actually netted more gigs. Still true?

Some local musicians come home with $40 or $50 and if that's my only choice (I know it's not), I'm going to change my target band model and look for a GB/wedding band, rather than bars and some private parties. I love gigging, but I'm not a young guy anymore.

Thanks!

(These days I switched to keys, as it seems a bigger need in Eastern/Central Massachusetts & RI.)

 

[silky smoove]

Some local musicians come home with $40 or $50 and if that's my only choice (I know it's not), I'm going to change my target band model and look for a GB/wedding band, rather than bars and some private parties. I love gigging, but I'm not a young guy anymore.

Playing in a GB group is always going to come with a higher pay rate than a bar band. It also comes with a higher set of up-front expenditures, both for the band owners and the individual players, and there's generally an expectation of a higher performance level as well. I play in a high end GB group and sub for a few around the area as well. This has proven to be the case with every group I'm associated with. None of these things are problems per se, but I do stress it to people looking to get into that world as many (not necessarily you) seem to think that it's a case of "do the same thing but make more money" which it very much is not.

(These days I switched to keys, as it seems a bigger need in Eastern/Central Massachusetts & RI.)

It's the same here in the Seattle area. There's a large bass community all vying for the same gigs in the GB space, whereas a keyboardist has very limited competition and can be in demand for any number of groups with ease.

 

[JJP_1984_LB50]

Sorry, what's a "GB" band?

 

[silky smoove]

Sorry, what's a "GB" band?

General Business

Weddings, corporate events, private parties, etc. It's essentially a band you hire via a contract.

 

[mstillman]

Playing in a GB group is always going to come with a higher pay rate than a bar band...

True, but that wasn't my point. I had meant the only thing that changes was the price the band charges.

Perhaps next time I'll just put the poll without discussion. Thank you for taking time to reply, and for the GB explanation.

 

[pepj]

Probably don't get you more gigs but they weed out the rubbish gigs.

I look very closely at what gigs are about and what their rates are and if it was a great gig with the right band, I'd make it work money wise. But I wouldn't do that just to be working that night.

But although we are pretty much at the top of the scale for gigs around here, its quite a jump to get $200 per man for a 5 piece..and waaay more hassle

 

[silky smoove]

True, but that wasn't my point. I had meant the only thing that changes was the price the band charges.

I got that, but to my point; Any GB group that actually gets to demand higher pay doesn’t do the same thing as a bar band.

 

[Joebone]

I got that, but to my point; Any GB group that actually gets to demand higher pay doesn’t do the same thing as a bar band.

Truth. Have done both. GB musicianship - reading/faking/range of styles - way beyond all but the very best cover/bar bands, especially in urban or sophisticated communities. Of course, DJs have ravaged work opportunities on both scenes...

 

[bigboy_78]

I don't think raising your rate will automatically lead to more gigs, but I do know that if something is too cheap it is assumed to be of lesser value.

 

[monsterthompson]

I don't think raising your rate will automatically lead to more gigs, but I do know that if something is too cheap it is assumed to be of lesser value.

Agreed.

There’s a thing called a Veblen Good that will generate more demand as the price goes up. This is for a luxury and/or status type of item. People certainly won’t perceive a band as premium if the pricing doesn’t reflect that image.

 

[silky smoove]

Of course, DJs have ravaged work opportunities on both scenes...

We lost four opportunities this year to DJs. I like to say there’s enough work for everyone, but it does sting when it’s a high end contract opportunity that disappears.

 

[Topkat13]

Agreed.

There’s a thing called a Veblen Good that will generate more demand as the price goes up. This is for a luxury and/or status type of item. People certainly won’t perceive a band as premium if the pricing doesn’t reflect that image.

View attachment 7350608

 

[Topkat13]

Being told to pound sand.

 

[pepj]

The people killing it are solo's and duo's because they'll charge $300.
The venue thinks that is what people want but I can't recall a single solo or duo act worth seeing of late. Well, one.
Stick the solo in the corner for back ground.
I think its the state of the business currently.

 

[Ostie]

Selling more food and drink will allow for a rate increase, but don’t expect the club to automatically raise your rate.

 

[pepj]

We find wet sales hit a lower rate band.
Include Gastro food and a theme and that can add $200 to the band rate but all you've done is refined the set.
Banger bands don't get these gigs mostly but they will get near to a premium rate if they are a good draw.
But these sorts of gigs are events, not every weekend gigs.

 

[dfp]

Product demand and perception of uniqueness seems to drive price, as well. In my town our themed yacht rock cover group is killing it. The more general “GB” type bands aren’t doing half as well. I used to be in one of the most in demand GB type bands in town, and the yacht rock cover band gigs are paying double at least. Will say, we’re mostly out of the bar scene, a few nice breweries yes but more events. Maybe it’s a better run band, but it’s also locally unique and not the same old same old classic rock through current hits. Going into 11th year gigging this group. YMMV

 

[jimmydean]

Asking for more money from a venue(s) would never lead to more bookings ..........only in some polar opposite universe .

 

[mstillman]

Asking for more money from a venue(s) would never lead to more bookings ..........only in some polar opposite universe .

From what I recall reading, higher rates led to more bookings from new venues. These generally more than compensated for leaving the lower-paying venues.

 

[Jefenator]

I remember reading how Will Lee & some others on the NYC studio scene were so booked up, they decided to try charging double scale. They were afraid they might get blacklisted or something, but they actually wound up getting more calls!
Have you ever been browsing for something online and found yourself thinking the more expensive version must be better? Believe it or not, that can apply to bands as well. (Do you want some crappy $800 band or the primo $1500 one for your daughter's wedding?)
Obviously this applies more to clients with deep pockets and a not-so-deep familiarity with the local talent pool.
Bars often have tight margins so I would expect them to bargain harder. (At least the ones that will still be around after a year.) They have their ceilings and I have my floors. When they want to scale down to duo acts without bass for the winter, so be it. (If I say yes to too many $40 gigs, I'll be homeless with 200 dates on my calendar.)