How Many Gigs Did You Play In 2018?

[PJMustangFreak]

To continue the yearly tradition as instituted by hrodbert696, how many gigs did you play in 2018? Mods please erase this if it has already been done and I missed it, but I haven't seen it come up yet this year, so I thought I'd kick it off. Always a pleasure to read. Anyways, to quote hrodbert696:
"For purposes of definition, let's say a "gig" means you played in front of an audience and money changed hands. Not talking about studio sessions or volunteering for a church worship band (though paid church gigs would count). However, if you want you can count showcases and benefits on the assumption that someone involved spent money for the show even if it didn't go to you."

 

[hrodbert696]

To continue the yearly tradition as instituted by hrodbert696, how many gigs did you play in 2018? Mods please erase this if it has already been done and I missed it, but I haven't seen it come up yet this year, so I thought I'd kick it off. Always a pleasure to read. Anyways, to quote hrodbert696:
"For purposes of definition, let's say a "gig" means you played in front of an audience and money changed hands. Not talking about studio sessions or volunteering for a church worship band (though paid church gigs would count). However, if you want you can count showcases and benefits on the assumption that someone involved spent money for the show even if it didn't go to you."

Thanks for starting this! It had slipped my mind.

My own count came in at a mere 11. Six with Link Removed, Four with the Link Removed, and one sub gig with Blacklite. Hoping for a busier 2019!

 

[sean_on_bass]

I've lost count but probably around 12....5 of which were in December. The first half of the year was with a novelty jazz group i helped found and was in for a few years, but decided to depart in the summer. When that time freed up i started networking with some straight ahead jazz guys and scored a number of pickup type gigs in the last half of the year. I have a few gigs booked in Jan/Feb 2019, hoping to continue filling the schedule with these straight ahead jazz gigs. They are great...no rehearsal and show up 30 mins before play time. For a guy who works a full time day job, this is perfect. Always get to play with new people too.

 

[bassicmike]

Played in front of people twice. But private parties and no $$$ was involved.

 

[crlujan]

Played 57 gigs in 2018. 7 were notable.

 

[Passinwind]

Two with the local community big band. Both were emergency sub calls, day of the gig.

A decade I ago I was in the high 90 a year range. What's left of those bands routinely play for under 50 bucks a man now, the race to the bottom is winning.

 

[bearfoot]

I did not try to get paid gigs for myself in 2018. So zero on that front.

I did make a little over $400 for one SoundGuy gig. I put all of that straight back into gear.

I also played several benefit / Church dances, and those opened up more paid opportunities for 2019.

 

[tycobb73]

3

 

[JRA]

30 or so...not too different from the last several years. i originally viewed retirement as a time when i'd do more 'fun stuff', but i'm finding out that i'd rather play more gigs. i could gig several times a week, i think, and be happier about my circumstances. i thought i'd be doing more FOH gigs in my old age, but: they are more taxing and less fun than playing --- at least they were in 2018.

you can't always get what you want!

 

[Passinwind]

30 or so...not too different from the last several years. i originally viewed retirement as a time when i'd do more 'fun stuff', but i'm finding out that i'd rather play more gigs. i could gig several times a week, i think, and be happier about my circumstances. i thought i'd be doing more FOH gigs in my old age, but: they are more taxing and less fun than playing --- at least they were in 2018.

you can't always get what you want!

Doing FOH used to be much more rewarding and considerably less stressful than playing gigs for me, since I never had to move any gear and just had "briefcase" gigs. But these days the mixing ones tend to involve later hours and the clubs I used to work in have gone for different stuff stylistically than what I prefer.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Probably just under 200. Plus lots of studio work.

 

[JRA]

Doing FOH used to be much more rewarding and considerably less stressful than playing gigs for me, since I never had to move any gear and just had "briefcase" gigs. But these days the mixing ones tend to involve later hours and the clubs I used to work in have gone for different stuff stylistically than what I prefer.

pretty much my experience, too. i like the mixing gigs, but: way more time consuming than it used to be. i don't want to 'lose out' on opportunities, but.... i'd rather just play! i didn't expect that i would feel/think this way when i made retirement plans prior to 2012.

happy new year, Passinwind !

 

[mapleglo]

I played 10 gigs. Joined a band in February, and we started playing out in May.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Around 30 or so, including 8 for the Tampa Bay Bucs VIP parties.

 

[Selios]

A much slower but more diverse year for me. Played 2 gigs in the summer with a heavy band that I'm an official member of, then did 2 more gigs as a sub for a folk rock type band that my cousin plays lead guitar in. All 4 of those gigs were in out of town areas that I've never played in before, which was cool.

I also joined a worship group at a new church very recently and have played the last 5 Sundays of the year so far. Had some studio time with the heavy band as well, which is why I played less with them compared to last year.

Fun times in 2018, but looking forward to turning up the activity dial again for 2019!

 

[Spidey2112]

Zero... unless you count practice at home, in front of my kids...

... which is priceless.

 

[Spidey2112]

Two with the local community big band. Both were emergency sub calls, day of the gig.

A decade I ago I was in the high 90 a year range. What's left of those bands routinely play for under 50 bucks a man now, the race to the bottom is winning.

Thanks for changing your avatar back.

 

[AaronVonRock]

Only 4. Our band has been inactive since May.

 

[wizerd]

About a dozen, plus three auditions for a "next level" type band. Happy new year.

 

[Macch5]

150. Played all sorts of music with all sorts of people in all sorts of places.