I would probably do just about any 'gig' free of charge, unless it involved substantial travel (200+ miles) or some other extenuating circumstance.
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How much do you charge
- Thread starter reggie hall
- Start date
I get between $125.00 to $200.00 or so for a three hour, three set gig. Less than an hours drive. Usually done by 10 or 11 and only have to set up/pack up my own equipment. I play in a country cover band.
As others have said depends on the gig. My main band won't come out for any less than $800 bar/club and $2000 for private. If I do a sub gig, I won't usually take less than $150 depending on travel distance, food and beverage comps, etc.
Anything less than $100 for a night is largely a waste of time unless you're helping a bud out or whatever. My interest is largely constrained by the distance. I don't want to finish up packing at 2:00 AM and then have a three hour drive home. Way too many of the drivers on the road at 2:00 AM on a weekend are drunk which also factors into me not really wanting to do a long drive late at night. Maybe I'm getting old.
Man... this thread is depressing. I'd rather play for free than make $75 or $100 bucks for a long night of playing music a few hours away...
Yes, and pay to play, no way. Those places deserve karaoke and not quality musicians. Charge what you are worth. Like I said earlier in the thread, a minimum of $100 is not only necessary for the amount of work you put out, it is necessary to not devalue the product, which is your skill.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I assume when I am subbing, I am bringing my rig. If something is backlined, so much the better. I'll shave off a few bucks if I only have to bring my axe.
It depends on what kind of rock, what sort of following you have, and where the venue is.
If you are a fairly commercial and can guarantee the venue 20-50 people you might be able to get $100 to $200 + drinks for the band. Same if you are traveling "out of town" and the venue wants you to play.
If you are just starting out and playing in a competitive market, you will be lucky to play a dump on a week day for free.
Cover bands seem to make more and get to play longer than 30 minute sets. The idea is so soul crushingly boring that I don't think I could make myself do it.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
It depends on whether you are doing this just for fun. If I am not getting paid, I'd rather play at home with musicians who play exactly what they want.
I've been gigging about a year now. Typically the bars pay at the end of the night out of the register. Festivals have paid with check, after. And we just did a festival with a state Park and it's a check.... In 30 days.
I'm in a typical three piece, rock and roll cover band. We do our own sound. We charge $100/hr.
Period. Typical gigs are 3-4hrs. ... So I make $100+tips. Alot of our venues also feed us and/or give us a modest tab. That's awesome.
Cover bands make more, because it's a different product.
An original band is trying to sell themselves.....or....politely, share their artistry with the public. They typically only have a good strong hours worth of material, and a venue that specializes in such events....makes their money off of these bands bringing their friends and fans into their establishment and buying alcohol.
A cover band is selling beer. There is no illusions of making it. They are working a job. The job is to keep people, already coming to the venue for a good time- regardless of who's playing- in the venue and buying drinks. Cover bands MUST have at least 3 hrs of material to perform.....and most good ones has 5 on hand at any given time.
It's like this....... You can go out and paint the most beautiful portrait in the world, and it will only make you money if someone likes it.
Your neighbor that paints houses makes $400 a week.
Your both painters.
Period. Typical gigs are 3-4hrs. ... So I make $100+tips. Alot of our venues also feed us and/or give us a modest tab. That's awesome.
Cover bands make more, because it's a different product.
An original band is trying to sell themselves.....or....politely, share their artistry with the public. They typically only have a good strong hours worth of material, and a venue that specializes in such events....makes their money off of these bands bringing their friends and fans into their establishment and buying alcohol.
A cover band is selling beer. There is no illusions of making it. They are working a job. The job is to keep people, already coming to the venue for a good time- regardless of who's playing- in the venue and buying drinks. Cover bands MUST have at least 3 hrs of material to perform.....and most good ones has 5 on hand at any given time.
It's like this....... You can go out and paint the most beautiful portrait in the world, and it will only make you money if someone likes it.
Your neighbor that paints houses makes $400 a week.
Your both painters.
5 piece country band in Denver. Playing about 3X/mo. $550 for bar gigs, $750-$1000 private parties.
I try to explain this to my musician friends in original bands. They usually have to pay to play or sell tickets to play venues. Then get mad when they hear that we get paid to play a bunch of pop songs that I didn't write every weekend. I tell them I'm simply an alcohol salesman who happens to be playing music. I don't get the same feeling of accomplishment as them, BUT, I'm not trying to make it. I have a family and a mortgage.
i will occasionally help out a friend or family ,i have no problem with that but one thing i learned is there are people who can pay good money but will try not to pay you if you let them, i need every penny i can get it helps with gas,repairs,upgrades etc...
- Apr 1, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
In one sense, you're right. I feel like it's a pretty depressing sense. I look out on a packed dance floor of hotties having a great time, and I feel like I have helped (even for a short time) them forget their worries and have a good time.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my band. We have a great time every weekend. This is a part time job for me and I feel fortunate to have such a great time at work every weekend. You're absolutely right. We (cover bands) help the average person have a good time and forget about life for a while.
