Gigging Bassists - How is Summer 24' stacking up?

[portpc]

Just curious how others are finding business -

My variety trio is heavily booked thru September. It's busier than Summer 2023. Civic events - Tiki Bars - Wineries for the most part.

Private parties however are down a good %. My conclusion is that inflation is eating into folks disposable income & while they may have a big bash over the summer it will be more cost effective using their "nephew the DJ" or some other entertainment source.

I'm on the North Shore of Long Island close to Wine Country & the Hamptons. How are things shaping up in your neck of the woods?
Is you schedule affected by inflation?..

 

[mrcbass]

My schedules is about what it has been for the post-pandemic timeframe. I quit my main band, so technically fewer gigs than last year, but still busy with my sub gig.

 

[Hot Rats]

I have 9 gigs in July. August, I have 2, same with September. They will fill up though.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Our guitar player is having severe health issues, so we haven't been able to book the last couple of months and we don't know if he will be able to get back into it or not. It is his band, so it may be over. I do book with another band, but the BL does a lot of solo work, so there aren't a lot of bookings and this summer has been slow. We do have a good booking for July 4th. We will be opening for Green River Ordinance.

 

[Crazy_Jake]

Busy for me this year - every Saturday at a minimum is booked until mid October - summer seems like an even split of private parties and public events ie bars, festivals etc
This weekend is busy for me with 5 gigs in 6 days ( 2 private parties out of the 5 gigs ) - but its also a long weekend in Canada so not to be unexpected.
Bookings are at least as good as last year and we are already booking up 2025 at a higher cost then usual so its trending positively ime

 

[Jefenator]

16 gigs with about 8 different groups this month & next month looks almost as hunky dory.
This is a pretty phat gig season for me, even by pre-pandemic standards. (Except, groceries cost more now...)
This couldn't have come at a better time, since my day hustles have been compromised in multiple ways.
Not sure how I'll stave off living in a van down by the river next winter, but I'm too busy to worry about that at the moment.

 

[theduke1]

The Kolache Brothers play from May through October when my drummer winters in AZ.
This is a very good season for our trio 25 gigs book with a few more coming when the NFL starts. Packer pre/ game things
Rock on my friends
Duke

 

[pisces_bass]

Booking about the same number of gigs but not the same venues. In my area, live music is having a bit of a renaissance. The number of acts is up quite a bit so there’s more competition. But we’re staying busy with word of mouth recommendations. Pub gigs are good marketing.

 

[shoot-r]

5 pcs., doing outlaw biker country/rock style material.

Playing mostly in central/southern Illinois, but playing out of that area quite often.

Colder months, average 2 to 4 jobs a week.

Warmer summer months with outdoor fairs, festivals, bike events, 4+ jobs a week.

This year is booked.

We're already booking into 2025.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Very busy! Where I’m at there’s no shortage of work. Maybe I’m a big fish in a small pond, but I’m working with several (4-5) acts that get work. Some weeks I have four gigs with four different act’s playing four different styles of music. And there’s at least one nationally (actually internationally) known artist I play bass for when their not on tour with their main group (yes I’m grateful for this). Lots of driving, sometimes we get rooms, but I’d say inflation (which absolutely is cooling) isn’t a factor.

 

[Jefenator]

I’m definitely making hay while the sun shines this month.
I should probably plan on at least some big shows getting canceled for heat, smoke (or you never know, rain) later in the season.

 

[bassfran]

I just got back gigging again this month and this oldies band works a lot. I’m on 10-12 jobs a month and the BL probably does another 6-8 more w/solo and duo gigs. Booked out into ‘25 even. Enjoying being back out there as it’d been way too long away.

 

[newwavefrank]

My Main band is an 80's tribute. I also just started a country band. On top of that I am subbing with a country/Classic rock band. Number of gigs I have today through the end of August:
80's - 6
Country - 1
Sub - 10

 

[climber]

Last year was crazy busy, this year not quite as much. But I took April off, this week off and a few more vacation days in the late fall. I play in 2 great jam bands, a killer jazz quartet, another jazz sextet that plays every Sunday through the summer and a string of concerts in late August with an amazing Latin jazz band. Plus I also do some funky trio gigs as well. I did over 100 gigs last year, probably 70 this year by choice. I’m very fortunate to only play the music I want to play, with the players I want to play with.

 

[richntiff]

I'm a little slow this summer/fall. There are 13 dates on the books - but 6 of those are Friday / Saturday back to back gigs at the same bar. They like to book them that way. Fills up a weekend but they are 9-1 shows, so the weekend is completely shot. This band is slowing down - I'm really hoping we are done after this season. I'm pretty sure I'm done regardless - if they want to continue after this season, they'll have to find a replacement for me. I need a new project.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I’ve got about 60 dates on the books for this year so far and a half dozen in 2025 already.

For me it’s mostly an even split between local acoustic jazz duo/trio/quartet gigs and mid-Atlantic region receptions & private parties (dance/party cover band).

It’s fun work but I’m not getting rich off of it.

Started teaching part time at a music school this year so that’s helped with some of the bills. Looking to expand my private teaching studio in the near future.

 

[57pbass]

Booked solid ( for us ) throughout the year. Lots of upcoming travel dates at some great venues.

 

[Snarf]

Just curious how others are finding business -

My variety trio is heavily booked thru September. It's busier than Summer 2023. Civic events - Tiki Bars - Wineries for the most part.

Private parties however are down a good %. My conclusion is that inflation is eating into folks disposable income & while they may have a big bash over the summer it will be more cost effective using their "nephew the DJ" or some other entertainment source.

I'm on the North Shore of Long Island close to Wine Country & the Hamptons. How are things shaping up in your neck of the woods?
Is you schedule affected by inflation?..

Weddings are down 50%. I work in you market a lot. Many musicians are going broke right now. It is a catastrophic year for a lot of people, especially high-end bands.

 

[portpc]

Weddings are down 50%. I work in you market a lot. Many musicians are going broke right now. It is a catastrophic year for a lot of people, especially high-end bands.

Traditional Weddings with live bands have been down in these parts for years. Back in the early 2000's when I had a wedding /corporate act the majority of that work was in CT/NJ rather than L.I.
Venues offering packages including their irritating DJ's / motivators dumbed folks down - Pretty soon it wasn't a reception w/o subs blasting eardrums and MC's extolling the crowd to dance...

 

[bigdaddybass12]

HOT !! we had a beach gig in SW Alabama on the bay 2 weeks ago, 95 degrees,