Free gigs

[Kleebs]

I've got a gig on Friday with my band at a new-to-us venue, opening for someone I've never heard of. It's not a huge gig obviously, but in our area we are finding it hard to break through the standard rotation of the same two dozen cover bands that are always booked. So my drummer/band leader (he's a good one, be nice!) brought up the idea of waiving the cover for Friday's gig with the plan of drawing more people, which would hopefully lead to a future headlining gig.

My response was that most of the people that are showing up to our gigs are coming whether there is a $10 cover or not. Best we could hope for is a small handful of curious people coming in from the bar downstairs, but not enough to make a meaningful difference. I also don't want to set the precedent that we'll play anywhere for nothing. We're a good band, we work hard, and we strive to act professionally.

Ultimately, he agreed and the rest of the band was indifferent. We're keeping the cover. Interestingly, the headliner didn't care whether there was a cover or not, so I'm not really sure how to read that. Should be an interesting gig.

So here's my question: Have you ever done a free gig to secure a future, bigger gig? Did it work?

 

[StereoPlayer]

I’ve done a few. And very cheap ones too.
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

IMO, there’s never enough $.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Cover band, no. I've reduced our fee for first times in some places, with the understanding that if it goes well, we get more gigs at regular price, and full payment for a full house. But in my experience talking with people, all playing free gigs will get you is more free gigs.

 

[sean_on_bass]

in this particular situation i am not sure how you all could choose to waive a cover charge? Wouldnt that be up to the headliner and venue?

But in general, for cover bands, i don't think cover charges are the way to go for any gig and will limit your overall draw. I also dont think you all should be negotiating pay based on a cover charge either and instead get a flat fee from the venue.

 

[James Flowers]

There is nothing wrong with playing a free gig when the return (exposure, chances for other gigs, etc) makes the investment worthwhile. In the end, only you and your bandmates can decide if its worthwhile.

 

[gln1955]

Yes, playing a freebie or a deep discount has gotten our foot in the door and better paying gigs at particular venues. This is very situationally dependent and you have to carefully consider the ROI of doing this.

in this particular situation i am not sure how you all could choose to waive a cover charge? Wouldnt that be up to the headliner and venue?

Yeah, I don't get this scenario either.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

We really haven't had any experience with covers in our area.

As others have said, we often give a reduced rate for a first time appearance with the agreement that if things go well future bookings are at the full rate.

As for free gigs, at this point the only free ones we've done are benefits/charity gigs where PA is provided. If we have to schlep the gear and set up our PA than free is off the table.

 

[Killing Floor]

Never played covers for free but originals a few times.
You all need to decide whether more people you don’t know will come if it’s free. If you have a moderate draw anyway it might be good for the new venue to see you being people out. But if you’re opening it becomes a question of how much traffic you add to the headliner.

 

[Kael]

Doing free gigs leads to the offer of more free gigs. Demand to be paid. Know your worth.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Playing for free doesn't seem necessary. I'm a bit confused though - is the headliner playing for a flat fee and doesn't care if there's a cover or not? And will they object to you taking all the cover $? Just make sure it's all clear and in writing.

 

[Micha84]

If there is a pool of bands in your area that always get booked and you can't get a foot in the door, chances are it has nothing to do with you. The other bands apparently are doing a consistently good job that everybody is happy with. You can try to compete with that, but that is going to be an uphill struggle.
Offering to play for free won't change that. Even if you were really good - if I had a venue that needed filling, you will always be a risk instead of a safe bet. Best case scenario is you get booked down as "the cheap ones" and get a few low ball offers, but once you demand standard rates, owners will again turn to the established bands.

My guess is: If you want gigs, you need to offer something entirely new to your area.

 

[SoCal80s]

I know it happens, but cover bands generally should not be opening acts for touring headliners IMHO. These slots are better suited for local originals bands, and that's why the pay scheme is setup as it is. I think you're barking up the wrong tree with this gig.

If you're not getting into the clubs where cover bands are playing then you need help with your marketing plan, or need to find someone else to do the booking. IME getting connected with the right people in the scene is the best way to break into the scene. Hitting up the clubs "cold" is not. When I was running a band, bringing in someone with connections was sometimes more important than bringing in good players.

 

[57pbass]

I will never play covers for free.
It just makes it bad for those musicians that are trying to make a living.
Original music / benefits are a different story.

 

[YeahDoIt]

Playing for free really hasn't helped us.

 

[richntiff]

We will play benefit gigs for free. Otherwise - nope.

 

[Aussie Player]

I've been playing a long time and never seen a benefit come from offering skilled services free. (Not in any industry)
Heard that, free leads to gigs argument, too many times with 100% failure.

 

[MuseChaser]

As one whose livelihood has depended upon performing, and a (forced) member of the musician's union, I've always viewed playing for free (except in the case of a worthwhile charity event) as an extreme disservice to my fellow musicians. It's hard enough to get people to appreciate art enough to support it financially without intentionally devaluing it by giving it away ourselves.

Then again, I'm a jazz and legit ("classical") musician primarily. Maybe it doesn't matter as much in the more mass market genres.

 

[MCS4]

in this particular situation i am not sure how you all could choose to waive a cover charge? Wouldnt that be up to the headliner and venue?

One possibility is that the OP's band booked this gig and otherwise is in charge of it, even though they aren't the headliner. I don't have any significant cover band experience, but I've seen this happen plenty of times in the local original music world. A while back I did have one specific occasion where my band (plus a local promoter who is a friend) booked and ran a gig, but we snagged a bigger local band to headline the show and gave them a guaranteed fee. I do believe at that specific show we had control over whether a cover was charged. Otherwise generally it seems fairly common in the local scenes I am part of for one band to spearhead a gig and then grab other bands to fill out the bill, regardless of whether they are the headliner or not, although obviously on average the headliner (or a promoter) is more often doing it.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

No, never. If you think a given situation is truly advantageous , at least have all expenses covered.

 

[eriky4003]

We opened two gigs for free for what I would refer to as Canadian B acts. Great venue and hoping this would get us new fans so we could sell our cd and/or just have newer people showing up to our gigs. Did not work out that well but we did get a paid Thursday night at the location. The bar's business model was hoping to score these B acts regularly and local 'celebrities' enough to pay the rent. The place lasted maybe a year.