How do you handle the dreaded/beloved benefit show?

[smurfco]

Additionally - if you're going to put one of those "money thermometers" on stage to show how much you've raised with the goal at the top, make damn sure you have a realistic shot of hitting that goal. It's pretty depressing to have a thermometer showing something like $42.18 as a tiny red sliver at the bottom by the end of the night. Trust me!

 

[Passinwind]

I know some people are deeply involved in the planning of their band's financials, others simply show up for a rate, others somewhere in between.

It seems to me like there is something of an assumption that musicians are heavily willing to provide massive discounts/free labor for benefit shows, but I know darn well the local catering companies aren't giving it away, although certainly raffle gifts and such are donated.

Anyway, tell me how you deal with these types of things!

Local catering companies actually have given it away at some benefit shows I've played, for whatever that's worth. And to me it made no difference what anyone else was or wasn't getting paid anyway, same as on any gig.

And I'll add that my sound provider self and my bass player self had much different rules of engagement. Getting up and playing an hour set with backline provided or being onsite for 8-12 hours dealing with multiple bands are pretty different things in my book.

 

[rtslinger]

I know some people are deeply involved in the planning of their band's financials, others simply show up for a rate, others somewhere in between.

It seems to me like there is something of an assumption that musicians are heavily willing to provide massive discounts/free labor for benefit shows, but I know darn well the local catering companies aren't giving it away, although certainly raffle gifts and such are donated.

Anyway, tell me how you deal with these types of things!

Okay so our rate is the same and then at the end of the show we surprise them by donating our fee
plus what is in the band tip jar if anything

 

[acleex38]

I play two events every year that are "kind of" benefits - there are two stages (outdoor for full bands, indoor for solo and small groups).

1.) I play the outdoor stage for free.
2.) I get paid to run the indoor stage.

I've played a handful of other benefits over the years (few and far between). The ones that come to mind, I was a sub. The 1st I did for free as a favor to friends in the band on 40 minutes notice. The 2nd I got paid because "I wouldn't have been there otherwise." (I'll let you read into that)

 

[Bullitt5135]

My band is a hobby, not a business. We all make a good living in our chosen professions. We all agree that our priorities are the music and the hang. Money is an added bonus. If we have a chance to play a gig with the potential of a good crowd, we'll try to make it happen. That doesn't mean we'll get dragged into everything that comes along. Like others have said, I want to know if other vendors are getting paid. It's more about the principle than the actual money involved.

My drummer used his approach in his old cover band. They started out playing parties and charity gigs for free, which ultimately led to opening slots on big stages for national acts as well as primo headlining gigs – and serious money. I think this approach only works if everybody has similar priorities.

 

[turf3]

Yeah. I put it in non-mathametician. I don't do very well with math, but obviously, you understood my gist. Thank you.

It's not about math, it's about understanding how income tax works. There's no math beyond second grade addition subtraction and multiplication.

It's a thing with me because people frequently talk about "taking it off your taxes" or "write it off" as if somehow the government is going to pay you to spend money. Nope, the best you can do is MAYBE to not pay income tax on that money. There's a big difference between "so and so goes on a trip to Miami every year and writes it off" which sounds like it's free, and "so and so goes to Miami every year, and he's able to reduce the amount of his taxable income by the amount of his trip that consists of verifiable business expenses, so all told that trip to Miami costs him 9% less than it would have if there were no business purpose, and he's willing to spend 4 days in meetings to take the trip". One sounds like something for nothing and the other, well, not so much. But the second one is the truth. Once again, TANSTAAFL.

 

[AcadianBassman]

I live in a rural area. Most people have deep roots here going back many generations from at least the mid 1700's. As such, we are pretty tight knit. I may not know or be related to John Smith but I certainly have, at the very least, a casual connection with one of his relatives type thing. In times of hardship (disease, house fire, etc) the musical community comes together with local business, etc. to raise money. This may be a variety concert or a dance. Lately, it's a silent auction of donated goods with a bake sale and a dance that evening. I've participated in many of these over the years. I've never expected or charged money for these things. They are for someone local's benefit, usually a friend or neighbour possibly a relative and sadly, usually a whole family. At the same time, I know that if it happened to me, I would be in for some help - it's just how it works, a strong community.

That being said, I've also had businesses putting on their own promotions and expecting locals to play for free. "You could do it for the exposure," Sorry, people DIE of exposure, not happening! Besides, what exposure amd I going to get at a party for the local business big-wigs and their drunken friends that might amount to fifty or one-hundred invitees who couldn't care if we played Jingle Bells backwards in July? Also, the local municipality has a large music festival every summer where an outside act (big in our province with slight foray's into other areas of the country) will be paid thousands while the locals, if they decide to let some of us open for the headliner, might toss us a couple of hundred. I've believe I'm mentioned this in another post a couple years back. Also, not worth my time.

To sum it up - If you're in need, I'm there no charge. If you're a large business,etc. with the cash looking for a free-bee you can go punt!

 

[turf3]

In principle I am not in favor of bands doing benefits for free; the janitor who cleans the hall gets paid; the electric company gets paid for the electricity used; the waiters are getting paid.

In practice I"ve done some of these, more to keep in good with a bandleader who's also hired me for a bunch of paying gigs.

But I really don't ever want to do another one where there's an auction in the middle. It always runs way long (like twice the allotted time) because no one actually knows how to auction things; then there's a couple hours of amateur speechmaking; then the "dance" portion lasts two tunes after which you pack up and go.

 

[MNAirHead]

are they a legit non profit (registered, board etc)

who is the audience

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

It's not about math, it's about understanding how income tax works. There's no math beyond second grade addition subtraction and multiplication.

It's a thing with me because people frequently talk about "taking it off your taxes" or "write it off" as if somehow the government is going to pay you to spend money. Nope, the best you can do is MAYBE to not pay income tax on that money. There's a big difference between "so and so goes on a trip to Miami every year and writes it off" which sounds like it's free, and "so and so goes to Miami every year, and he's able to reduce the amount of his taxable income by the amount of his trip that consists of verifiable business expenses, so all told that trip to Miami costs him 9% less than it would have if there were no business purpose, and he's willing to spend 4 days in meetings to take the trip". One sounds like something for nothing and the other, well, not so much. But the second one is the truth. Once again, TANSTAAFL.

Of course, you're right.

 

[51PRI]

Agreed! I'll do charity events like "Toys 4 Tots" at a known good venue (...we get regular gigs)...heck, I even stick around and do sound for a couple addt'l acts. In this case, a freebie. If approached by an unknown that does a regular band rotation, I'll say "sure...but get out your book so we know when we'll be returning". It can go either way: future gigs or they shut-up / shut-down and we're rid of 'em. Sure, I'm an opportunist but I won't be exploited.

Riis

We've done Toys 4 Tots, several Relay for Life, and quite a few other charity events in the 18 years I have been in the band I'm in now. We did one back in November for crippled children. I don't mind doing them most of the time. Just be aware that usually the gigs you get from playing a freebie is usually a request for another freebie.

 

[zonkola]

We don't typically charge for a benefit show, but the band members do receive food, drinks, & gratitude.

 

[pepj]

I evaluate the cause and go from there.
Mindful of who is getting paid, the venue selling alcohol etc and whether its only the bands playing free.

So, no hard and fast from me but .......

 

[bigjames]

Depending on the benefit, we'll typically do it for free - our time/performance is what we're donating.

Edit: We've at times received payments for benefit shows without being aware we would get it, and turned around and gave that money back to the promoter to donate to the cause.

This.

I think it depends on the circumstances and belief in the cause, but I would think of it as donating our time / work / performance to the cause. When I have been given an honorarium, I have returned it / donated it back.

I have emceed a number of charity / fundraiser events and do those without charge too.

 

[51PRI]

I evaluate the cause and go from there.
Mindful of who is getting paid, the venue selling alcohol etc and whether its only the bands playing free.

So, no hard and fast from me but .......

I agree. It's not right if it's ONLY the band that is working for free.

We don't typically charge for a benefit show, but the band members do receive food, drinks, & gratitude.

Yeah, we got a meal ticket at the charity gig we played at back in November.

 

[Commreman]

Provided that the PA, backiline is provided, and the charity is legit? Free of charge. 3 or 4 times a year, usually in the winter when the scene is dead anyway.

 

[4-stringB]

I do them, under protest. I'm a vet, so vet events are ok, once or twice a year. My main gripe is that the food vendors, the arts and crafts vendors, the bounce house vendors, the pony ride vendors...THEY ALL MAKE MONEY!! Why are we (The Musicians) the only ones expected to work for free?? PS...Actually worse than free, what with expenses and all...

 

[Dabndug]

Annually, we do a Brain Cancer Research gig for "free" - though we are fed by the caterer who is also not charging. PA is provided. We also do ad hoc fund raising gigs for causes we support for free.

 

[Steven Ayres]

It's been my experience that the well organized benefits are the best gigs: people show up intending to have a great time and spend money, and you're connecting with people who are outside the circle of fans. It's not about the money, and I don't expect a nonprofit to divert needed cash into entertainment. The sponsor org has to be professional and the people have to know what they're doing if I'm gonna take the gig, and the stage time and show are mine to design.

There are situations to avoid, no question. The band I've recently joined has had a regular annual thing meant to benefit a local musician who had health issues some years ago. He's all better now, but still putting on the benefit for reasons unsaid. (Small town, everyone knows everyone, there are personal connections.) But the band won't be doing that one again, at least not with me.

 

[socialleper]

Every show I play is a benefit show. I donate my time and expertise, and otherwise empty venues keep all the money. We call it "playing shows."