We have had an offer for two gigs at a place we used to play a few years ago. It's a restaurant/bar that used to have bands every week but stopped for a few years for various reasons. We know and like the owner. One of the dates is New Years Eve but he, supposedly, according to the BL, can't pay typical or even elevated, but normal for NYE, pay. So, play NYE for regular bar rates? Take the gig or No?
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Play New Year's Eve for regular Bar Pay, or No?
- Thread starter 51PRI
- Start date
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Would your band get another NYE gig?
My band? Nope, nope, nope. We've had a standing gig for the last 11 years (minus 2020) at the same place. Great bar, great crowd, great pay, and bi-monthly gigs plus more high profile stuff throughout the year like St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day parade day, etc.
My band? Nope, nope, nope. We've had a standing gig for the last 11 years (minus 2020) at the same place. Great bar, great crowd, great pay, and bi-monthly gigs plus more high profile stuff throughout the year like St. Patrick's Day, St. Patrick's Day parade day, etc.
what are the alternatives --- for you, personally?
My first question is do you trust your BL?
Next, do you believe the venue owner? Don't know how it works in your part of the world, but here in Dublin, pretty much every bar/restaurant/venue charges a bit extra for admittance on NYE. Is this guy doing that? If so, he should be paying you more.
Of course other factors may influence this...how much you actually want to gig that night, can you get a better offer elsewhere, does playing for minimum guarantee you regular gigs down the line?
Personally, I detest New Years Eve, and prefer to spend it at home with my wife, and a bottle of whiskey.
But that's just me...
Next, do you believe the venue owner? Don't know how it works in your part of the world, but here in Dublin, pretty much every bar/restaurant/venue charges a bit extra for admittance on NYE. Is this guy doing that? If so, he should be paying you more.
Of course other factors may influence this...how much you actually want to gig that night, can you get a better offer elsewhere, does playing for minimum guarantee you regular gigs down the line?
Personally, I detest New Years Eve, and prefer to spend it at home with my wife, and a bottle of whiskey.
But that's just me...
Years ago I played a NYE gig for big money. We had the bartender dancing, but he was the only person in the bar besides us. I too would rather be at home with some long time friends. We used to drink a lot, but now it’s a beer or a glass of wine each. Dang, I’m getting old. 
NYE is 100% lame to go out. So what else would you do? Playing is better than not. But push for higher rate. It’s probably expanded set list. You probably have additional expenses for clothes. And you probably have to play Auld Lang Syne which is the Wagon Wheel of NYE, that merits combat pay.
Depends on how well you know the owner and if this good will leads to other gigs. Me? No.
Depends on whether you think you can get a gig somewhere else for better pay, or you want to play that night at all...
#1 premium night = premium pay, otherwise I'd rather spend the night with family or friends...if it is a decent bar/event, it will be packed to the max. allowed by law and probably a bit more if they can sell enough tickets and get away with it. They will be making mucho dinero in tix/food/drink sales. If your band is good and keeps the crowd happy and thirsty, you deserve way more than a Sat. night's base pay
Nothing about NYE is ever at "base rates" so why should your pay be? I would rather sit it out at home with friends than participate in the race to the bottom.
NYE is the highest paying night of the year. It's also the most work. It also poses the most risk given everyone else on the road when the band is driving home is plastered. It's your time: decide.
You say....
Is this what your BL meant, or just the normal weekend rate to play NYE?
Normal NYE pay rates are generally around three to four times the usual weekend band rate in my pay of the world.
Is this what your BL meant, or just the normal weekend rate to play NYE?
