How many gigs did you play in 2015?

[Ericnordicbee]

Picked my number based on the idea that the couple of festivals where we played multiple times a day and/or for multiple days were just one each. If counting each performance probably in the 40-50 range.

And all but one with my band where I am the guitarist. If we had to count only bass, then I have not played a paying gig in about 30 years.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I earn a decent amount annually playing bass (this includes a lot of studio work)...this income is essential for me to live my lifestyle!!

 

[gfaulkner]

78 so far with NYE the only thing left on my schedule.

 

[kulit17]

too bad my feedback rating doesn't match the amount of gigs i did for this year (or ever ) .......but i'm in the same camp as others that stated that they are bandless for 2015. hopefully the cats i'm playing with now - we'll get something going for 2016.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

26 gigs this years, 17 paid.

My main band (blues/classic rock covers) has a target of 12p/a, as we're all old gits and don't want to be gigging every week. We hit 17, of which 14 were paid. The other three were charity gigs which we like to do as they're usually well organised, have a large captive audience and are always good fun. I think knowing we're not getting paid kind of relaxes us a bit. Plus, the odd charity gig doesn't hurt the band's image any.

My second band (new wave/soul/ska) did 2 gigs this year, both unpaid private gigs. We don't have enough material for a "proper" gig yet but we're nearly there.

BTW, I'm actually the lead singer in both these bands, not the bassist.

I've also dep'ed as a bass player for various bands over the year, some paid but mostly just for fun and more experience.

 

[TinIndian]

Right at 20 for last year. Had to cancel a couple because of bad weather - outdoor gigs in Florida, watcha gonna do.
My target is 30 a year. Right now I have 14 on the books for next year with another place wanting to book us 5 or 6 more for the year so 10 more I'm where I want to be.

 

[bassrich]

About every other week I have done something

 

[Gazman]

I played 6 times, each for exactly $0, which if I'm not mistaken, gives me a six figure salary for the year.

 

[Wolfenstein666]

You didn't put a "not enough" selection on there.

 

[zisme]

21
17 that I can prove with photos

 

[micque]

3 in 2015, but we are doing 60+ per year in the studio rehearsing and building our own music, not realy looking for a lot of gigs but aiming for a dozen or so good fun ones in 2016, we're not playing for a living any more but for the pure fun of it.

 

[birminghambass]

Less than 12, by far the lowest total in 15+ years. Cancer had a lot to do with it, just got a clean bill of health a few weeks ago so I might get back out there in 2016.

 

[E.J. T.N.T.]

I came in this expecting to see that most of the people don't gig that much, but man was I wrong:

Been averaging a little over 200 for a few years now. Back in my Legends in Concert days, it was probably around 650/year (12 shows/week for most of the year plus extra weekend gigs). Probably my heaviest year ever would have been '99 which was that schedule plus Thursday/Friday/Saturday for most of the season, so probably like 700+. Don't ever plan on or want to get back to that anymore lol.

I did 34 for this year. I was hoping for more but my band went through a few membership changes so we slowed down a bit. I was also operated in the summer. That would have been 4 more gigs that had to be cancelled. I am hoping for over 50 next year but it is pretty damn hard balancing this with a full time job, especially since we are playing mostly out of town.

That said this year we broke our record for distance traveled (Berlin-Ankara= 2900km/1800miles) and longest distance between gigs (Timisoara-Hamburg=1467km/911miles). I have to admit that currently my most prized piece of gear is the band van

 

[sparkyfender2]

Not enough.

The coming year looks even more sketchy.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Man, after looking at some of these numbers I feel a little sheepish for thinking I was nearly too busy!
Around 40 performances in 2015 counting an annual Christmas show last night that my bluegrass band hosted--and I coordinated--every year for the past few. Bittersweet way to end the year, and a 5 year run with most of these guys, as it was a smashing success--but I've resigned from the band to take on more theater work and spend time with the jazz group.
Best of luck and wishing many broken legs to everyone in 2016!

 

[fdeck]

Monthly gig with the big-band, then roughly one or two per month of other stuff. I don't know what the market would be like if I wanted to play more, but I've got so much family stuff going on, that I'm happy to just let it ride.

Not all of it is paid. Some is community / social stuff, such as showing up with my bass for a folk dancing club.

But 2015 isn't over yet! I've got a double header on NYE.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

I miss being in a band that does private parties and corporate events. In my neck of the prairie, that means country not rock.

From a pay perspective I prefer private parties and corporate gigs as well, and know what you mean--I don't care to play country, which definitely is limiting in this arena.
I'm not currently in a rock band, but if I ever am again I plan to take a page from @BassCliff 's book--his "country" group plays rock-n-roll disguised as country. From everything I've seen, it's a brilliant move--the crowds eat it up!

 

[Carl Hillman]

264? That's pretty impressive (or something else, depending on how you look at it). I checked my books and got to 60+, but with the current pay level I would probably quit my day job if I could just double the number of gigs.

Just a question on the church gig - is paying gigs like that common in your part of the world? Because around here you can play in church, but then it is mostly for free, as a service in the service so to speak. Getting paid in church happens only on special occasions, when there is a concert or similar with entrance fee. So, most of my church gigs doesen't count...

Most churches of any size around here will have a few pros on the payroll. The two churches I have worked for in the past 5 years used a blend of professionals and volunteers.

 

[twinjet]

I feel your pain, I dropped out of a going nowhere band, and not can't find ANY band in the crappy Atlanta music scene. (If you are a DJ its great I hear).

Wow! I'd figure Atlanta would be hot for live moozak. Sorry to hear

 

[Marial]

Two! Woohooo! It was grueling, but I made it.