Gig Pay

[zephyr_words]

4 member modern rock\alternative\80's\dance\party and bar coverband. The drummer books all of our gigs.

My problem is he has been booking some gigs where we aren't getting paid a lot. I think this is happening because the club is saying to him that they are giving us a "test run" or he is just trying to get us in the door at different places.
This has resulted in gigs where we played for less than $100 a person for the night AND we brought the PA.
The least I've been paid is $40 but that was for a 90 minute set where we opened and everything was provided but we used our own kit\amps.

How do you get the best pay and what's a good way to bring this up? I've have said many times that I don't like the pay of the gigs because I feel like by going in and playing so cheaply that we won't be able to get a good rate in the future.
I think we are worth no less than $400 a night when the house supplies the PA and soundman. When we supply both I think $700 would be appropriate.

Are there thoughts opinions on this? I don't like being the one to say no I won't accept the gig when all three other members are excited about playing it.
Now that I don't feel "new" to the band anymore (this is an existing coverband that I joined) I'm trying to book some gigs but this doesn't solve the gigs that the drummer will continue to book.
I'm also afraid that we right now have a calendar until September of low paying gigs because the payment information was fuzzy on all of those gigs that I agreed to.

 

[drpepper]

We're 4 members, and while I don't have broad experience, I'm also in MD and get the impression the $400 to $600 is pretty typical for bar cover bands at the level we're operating (smallish, "non-nightclubish," restaurant/bar type gigs)

What kinds of places are you playing?

 

[T40Chump]

It's just my story because I don't really have any input for you. This post could also serve as a bump for anyone who wants to share their experience. It's always good to have some answers from the veterans of the bar scene.

We're a four piece as well. Two guitars, bass, and drums with one lead vocal and one BGV. We play modern Texas country/Red Dirt and southern rock (originals and covers). We are getting between $300-400 per show and most of the time we're paying our own bar tab out of that. In some cases the promised pay has been skimmed by about $50 (promises made but not kept). We don't find this out until the time comes for the bar to pay us.


So I suppose my question would be why is it so low compared to what I keep hearing about? Some of the bands in our area are getting $2000+ for gigs. I haven't gone into depth but it seems from casual observation that these bands are getting this type of money from playing weddings and corporate events and they are doing top 40 songs that everyone knows. I haven't looked into what the bar gigs are paying other than what we've been paid.

The only thing I can conclude (once again; casual observation) is that the real money is in corporate/wedding gigs and top 40 material is a requirement. Another thing; some of these bands have a larger group of musicians; drums, bass, guitar, keys, a couple of horns, and two to three singers (male and female). They can play a larger selection of music and therefore can ask for more money.

There are a couple of exceptions I've seen where a trio is getting some good scratch but they somehow work in a lot of familiar material and can pull it off with a minimum of musicians. I'm curious to find out if anyone on TB is doing that and how they're pulling it off.

Thoughts on this?

Thanks.

 

[jive1]

So I suppose my question would be why is it so low compared to what I keep hearing about?

Sometimes guys exaggerate.

But also, events do pay better than bars because they usually have a budget to do so and aren't affected by sales.

Another thing I think folks don't seem to take into consideration for bands and their pay is longevity. Bands that have been around longer tend to get paid more. They tend to have more material, more of a following, more connections, more reputation, more gear, and a better idea of what works over more gigs. One of the things I see that the bands that get big paydays at the clubs have in common is that they've been around for years, at least 4 if not more.

One of my bands averaged around $350-$400 a gig for it's first year. Now that we've been around for about a year and a half, it's starting to become more common for us to get in the $500-$600 range with an occasional gig that will get us a a grand. My hope is that in the next year, we'll start to get the bigger paying gigs more consistently. But, even if we got higher paid bookings, I wouldn't be surprised if we still took some low paying gigs to fill up the calendar.

 

[Phalex]

Another thing I think folks don't seem to take into consideration for bands and their pay is longevity. Bands that have been around longer tend to get paid more. They tend to have more material, more of a following, more connections, more reputation, more gear, and a better idea of what works over more gigs. One of the things I see that the bands that get big paydays at the clubs have in common is that they've been around for years, at least 4 if not more.

^This. My band is closing in on ten years. We get at least $100.00 a night, and we rarely play less than 2 nights back to back at a venue.

That being said, tomorrow night I'm driving 130 miles round trip to open up for 80's music legend Trixter. My cut is $60.00. After buying gs to get there and back, I'll come out almost $30.00 ahead.

Why am I driving 130 miles round trip for a net gain of $30.00?? That's a really good question. At least I get to meet the guys from Trixter........

 

[DWBass]

In my long term experience most decent bar/club cover bands get paid anywhere from $400-$700. If your band kills and has a huge following that makes the venue a ton of money, You can get up to $1000. In reality, don't expect a lot of money from these venues. The band I'm currently in gets aprox. $400 per but it's a relatively new band and once we get a loyal following, that'll get increased (in theory).

 

[shadow_FIX]

My rock cover bar band usually gets $300-$500 depending on good vs. bad nights for the bar. That's pretty normal for our area...some guys in larger areas or more well-to-do areas will likely get higher pay.

 

[michael_atw]

If you think about it, a hundred for 3-5 hours of loading/setup/play/unloading is not too shabby. That's $15-25 an hour.

 

[michael_atw]

Sometimes guys exaggerate.

+1

Especially somewhat arrogant musicians who want to make their take look better than everyone else's.

 

[Kenner]

Maybe play for the door?

We have a handful of about 6 rooms we do really well with. So, that's 30+ of our 60 a year. We are always developing rooms. Those we get less in until we prove we are making money for the bar. Then maybe I can push for a guarantee vs. the door.

One of the keys to higher pay is longevity. Never say no to a gig unless you have to. The band that always says yes, always gets the first call. Why would a bar or agent (who might be in a pinch for band) call someone who they can't a quick yes from?


Make sure your song list is geared to keep people dancing and drinking. The bar is only going to hire you back if you're making them money. I had a good friend bring a promo pack to a bar last Saturday where we were playing. He tried to give it to the owner in front of me at the end of the night. The owner asked my friend if his song list and attendance (almost sold out for us) would be close to us. My friend told him no...and the owner told him no. He isn't interested in paying less money to a band that doesn't draw people. But, that's just him. It's a tough room to get into...

I'd say, continue to take every gig you can (if you think the band has "legs") and continue to cater to the crowd. They are the ones who ultimately pay you....

 

[StuartV]

You only need to know 2 things:

- You won't get what you don't ask for.

- You're only worth what someone will pay you.

Bars will pay more for bands that have a "bigger" reputation. If they've heard of you, they'll pay more than if they haven't. If they've been hearing about you for years (and hearing that you're good), they'll pay even more. If you can give the impression that you are "big" - i.e. are well-known and have a good-sized following - that will also help you get more money. For that, having a very Pro looking press kit (pics, demo tracks, etc.) can help. Probably moreso would be having a Facebook fan page with a lot of "friends".

In other words, get out there get your name in front of as many people as you can and make sure, when a booking agent thinks "who is this band, the Foo Bars?" they can find stuff about you on the Web and what find makes you look as big and as good as possible.

 

[bassbully]

It all comes down to the market you are in. In my area you are lucky to get 100.00 a head and if you push for it a venue might say "Next". Bands need the venues here way more than they need us..so many play for less.

 

[CapnSev]

Like everyone else said; the real money is in private events like parties, corporate gigs, weddings and such.

My main band is a 7 piece soul/funk bank, and we get lucky to take home over $100 per person at a bar. It's usually more like $60-$75.

 

[bassbully]

Like everyone else said; the real money is in private events like parties, corporate gigs, weddings and such.

My main band is a 7 piece soul/funk bank, and we get lucky to take home over $100 per person at a bar. It's usually more like $60-$75.

Agree^ Even for original music bands like mine the bars gigs dont pay much and we are one of the few who get paid decent and a flat rate. We make our money at outdoor festivals, community events etc.

 

[jaywa]

My problem is he has been booking some gigs where we aren't getting paid a lot. I think this is happening because the club is saying to him that they are giving us a "test run" or he is just trying to get us in the door at different places.

You guys need to, as a band, set a minimum you're going to play for and make sure your drummer understands that anything under that is a no-go. In my former band, the very first night we got together we agreed we wouldn't take any gigs that didn't put at least $100 in each member's pocket. And with the exception of only a couple of gigs (opening slots with P.A. provided, benefits, etc.), we stuck to that for 5 years of existence. Same deal with the established band I just joined, when they were recruiting me I said, "here's my minimum per gig, can you guys pay that cause if not you have the wrong guy."

Bands and/or individual jobber musicians who under-charge not only ruin things for themselves, but everyone else trying to get paid fair value.

 

[gnjpowell]

"You only earn what they pay you" The Who

When you figger the $/hr you need to add your transportation time, set-up/tear-down time, reh time and somehow amortize (sp?) your investment in equipment and instruments, etc.

 

[Russell L]

One band I was in for a year-and-a-half was an event band. Eight folks onstage, a tour bus, huge equipment truck, tons of equipment set up at the venue, and 90% of the gigs were on the road. We usually got $150 apiece no matter where we went.

Another event band that I quit, but am now back to helping out is about the same except there's no tour bus, and we average around $180-$225 per man, per gig. But there are few gigs. I think they're booking for around $2500, like the other band.

Porr little blues five-piece plays bars locally, but we've only played twice so far, and each time it was $50 apiece.

Newest band is a five-piece cover band that plays four to five gigs per month, all local, except for one out of towner on the books for now. We generally get $100 apiece. That's $500 for a bar/restaurant to pay, which is about the average for this area. Some bigger bars pay more, but they're getting more mainline acts.

True, when you figure in number of hours from taking a shower to get ready until walking back in the door at home, gas, food, wear and tear, and not to forget TAXES, sheesh, it doesn't add up to making a lot of dough. Therefore...

IT HAS TO BE FUN, huh? Would you still do it if there was no pay?

 

[Kenner]

IT HAS TO BE FUN, huh? Would you still do it if there was no pay?

I only get "paid" to do the 6-7 songs I don't care much for....the rest I'd do for free... : )

I'm lucky to get to play and love doin it!

 

[otis_thick]

I only get "paid" to do the 6-7 songs I don't care much for....the rest I'd do for free... : )

I'm lucky to get to play and love doin it!

+100 Playing is and should be fun..... but getting paid to play is a blessing!!! Some of you who are just starting may not agree....but for those that remember when musicians were very well paid... feel how lucky we are just to get a good paying gig now!! I am not saying we should always put up with crappy pay... I don't play for less than $100.00 (that aint much) in town...but...back in the day it was $350/man + groupies at local bars/clubs!!! Now times are HOD!! It is ok to be the "cooperative" band and provide the eqipment for everyone but don't let youself turn into the guys that let other people "USE" you!! The key is to get a large following: I suggest make some CDs and do festivals where:
1. There is a large crowd of people that want to hear music by ANYBODY even if no-one has ever heard of you!!
2. The PA/light Rig is usually provided
3. You don't play long
4$$ You can sell your CDs shirts etc to a lot of people at once (if you did good on stage)

 

[jaywa]

I'm your classic "weekend warrior" with a white collar day job and for me, my band is my 2nd job. In other words, I try to apply the same standards of performance and professionalism to my gigs as I do Monday-Friday at the office. By the same token, I expect to be fairly compensated on my 2nd job, just as I am at my day job. If I want to play for free, I'll do that at my church. But pretty much any other situation, it needs to be financially worth my while.