Play New Year's Eve for regular Bar Pay, or No?

[pepj]

Well, I just found out at last week's gig that we DID take the NYE gig, and just for regular bar money. It's really weird because the BL has said many times that he didn't want to play NYE ever, and now for him to book it at regular bar rates doesn't make sense. He usually quotes fairly high prices.

Nope, this can't happen, surely.

First off, someone might mention a job offer for NYE, do we want to do and for what money.
That collective decision goes back to our man handling that enquiry.

This is why BL's are such a dumb idea IF they think they can make any decision like this without consensus.
If he did this without asking..he needs a sub.

 

[jerry]

Makes me glad to not be in a BAND per se any more. I like being able to accept gigs on ICB, and I'm guessing there aren't any BL's I currently work with who'd question someone being unavailable for low scale on NYE.

This isn't to say you can't make the best of it. Are you guys playing NYE in a no-cover-charge situation where you can get away with putting out a tip jar? IME, the more drunks in a room, the better the tips, with some subtle "guidance" from the bandstand.

What works really well for us is an extra large, clear plastic tip jar, like what comes with cheese balls. Once you get about $50-$75 in a smaller tip jar, people figure you're already taken care of and stop putting more money in. We've had $200+ tips on just regular bar nights with the bigger jars. $400 in tips on a NYE wouldn't be a stretch.

As far as "subtle guidance" goes, I like to point out the tip jar early and often. I do it with classic southern charm and grace. "Good evening to our esteemed guests - hope ya'll are doing well. Just a quick public service announcement before we get started. THIS motherf****r is a TIP jar. There's one up here; There's another one at the bar for your servers and bar tenders. Thank you for your kind and respectful attention". Then BANG, downbeat. One BL I work with asks me if I would do my tip jar announcement. I guess if it ever pisses off bar management, he can blame me instead of taking the fall, "I know what you mean - I'll fire the sonofabitch". ;-)

We do ok with tips.

The good thing about clear tip-jars is the ability to see the cats who put in a dollar and palm the twenty's or bigger when pulling his/her hand out.

 

[roccobass]

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?

For me unless there's a real google reason for doing someone a big favor (or paying a favor back), I would decline. The BLs assertion there's no extra money, makes me wonder. You know people are going to be in the bar and drinking. This is what I call a premium gig. Hence, premium prices.

 

[crazyBassClown]

Dude. Some people play for a living and do just fine. Telling someone to change their career without any first hand knowledge is a serious troll move.

Doubling down is even worse.

I don't know what you do - but you should probably stop doing it because someone younger who lives at home is going to accept less pay.

Better yet - your job is going to be off shored to someone with superior skills/qualifications who will accept less pay.

I was not the one bitching about being undercut.
And what you describe regarding off shoring is reality for a lot of people, and the reality is they end up needing to get a different job or career.
Whining about people pointing it out is a waste of time and denying reality.

 

[Pocket Dave]

The good thing about clear tip-jars is the ability to see the cats who put in a dollar and palm the twenty's or bigger when pulling his/her hand out.

Oh hell no.

 

[51PRI]

Nope, this can't happen, surely.

First off, someone might mention a job offer for NYE, do we want to do and for what money.
That collective decision goes back to our man handling that enquiry.

This is why BL's are such a dumb idea IF they think they can make any decision like this without consensus.
If he did this without asking..he needs a sub.

In my case, in this situation, via texts 3 of the 4 band members were for taking the gig. I was the only "holdout" and I really didn't make a big fuss about it. There wasn't a vote per se but everyone made their thoughts known.

At one time the BL used to ask everyone about every gig, if we were all for it and available. Then he just started booking gigs without asking, assuming, I suppose, that a sub could be found if someone couldn't play. Now he's back to texting about every gig.

 

[WillyW]

it would be great exposure....









shag no

 

[MobileHolmes]

Hard to say. As it stand, this year, I'm playing 2 NYE gigs, an early one with one band for regular money, and a late one for premium pay. I think that NYE ought to pay a premium, but if all you have on offer is for standard bar pay, I guess you have to decide whether you'd rather have a gig and a little money, or a night off.

 

[pepj]

For NYE, more than other dates, if someone isn't sure, BL needs to keep asking until you agree...or say no.
This is just courtesy on any gig anyway.

If he assumes you'll take any gig, he runs the risk of getting turned down.
I'm not fussed about NYE myself but think its expensive to go out that night so you may as well get paid....but I set my fee and if we dont get it, I'm not doing it.
And good luck getting a sub for standard money.

I'd say no, not doing it and make it his problem, but then I've already decided i don't like the way he works so burning this bridge is no big deal.

But, by the same token, we know from other threads, that you put up with a lot not to lose a gig and he is playing on that.

If I say no, or let me think about it, I do get rather stubborn if people don't take that seriously or completely ignore.

 

[51PRI]

Hard to say. As it stand, this year, I'm playing 2 NYE gigs, an early one with one band for regular money, and a late one for premium pay. I think that NYE ought to pay a premium, but if all you have on offer is for standard bar pay, I guess you have to decide whether you'd rather have a gig and a little money, or a night off.

Yeah, true. Either play the gig, make a little money, enjoy NYE with some partiers, or be the guy they had to get a sub for, not because he had another gig, but just because he didn't want to play it.

 

[MobileHolmes]

Yeah, true. Either play the gig, make a little money, enjoy NYE with some partiers, or be the guy they had to get a sub for, not because he had another gig, but just because he didn't want to play it.

Yeah, that's a good point too. If the rest of the band wants to do it, it might be better to suck it up and just do it rather than look like a jerk

 

[Pocket Dave]

In my case, in this situation, via texts 3 of the 4 band members were for taking the gig. I was the only "holdout" and I really didn't make a big fuss about it. There wasn't a vote per se but everyone made their thoughts known.

At one time the BL used to ask everyone about every gig, if we were all for it and available. Then he just started booking gigs without asking, assuming, I suppose, that a sub could be found if someone couldn't play. Now he's back to texting about every gig.

Again, back to my comment re: the advantage of being a serviceable spare tire sideman; i.e., having the ability to accept or simply say, "not available" on 100% ICB, vs being in a band, per se.

Since you ARE in a band, and since your BL might just feel a consensus was all that was necessary (who knows what he was actually thinking), and since it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY he'll be able to find a sub for bar pay on NYE, I too would be inclined to just STFU and suck it up.

AFTER the gig, maybe a week later, I'd have a chill conversation with the guys about better defined boundaries and expectations though.

 

[Hot Rats]

Well.....I just got a call that we are going to play a Moose lodge gig. So that makes 2 gigs for New Year's Eve. The afternoon show is 1.3 times pay and the evening show is 1.5 times pay. Both are within 4 miles of my home, so a casual 31st is what I'll be doing. Easy shows, and meh, ok pay. I guess I can't say I wouldn't do it any longer....

 

[51PRI]

...Since you ARE in a band, and since your BL might just feel a consensus was all that was necessary (who knows what he was actually thinking), and since it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY he'll be able to find a sub for bar pay on NYE, I too would be inclined to just STFU and suck it up.....

Yeah, and I feel sure we'll have a good time and probably get free drinks and food, too. It's okay. I can live with it. The last time I couldn't make a gig (because of covid) they cancelled instead of getting a sub.

 

[armybass]

Do they have good bar food?

 

[51PRI]

Do they have good bar food?

Yeah, the food is actually really good.

However, a follow up. We had booked a gig at the same place for November which we had to cancel because the BL's girlfriend had knee replacement surgery and was having problems with it and he had to stay with her and help her. Okay. So, like a week later the BL texts us to say that we weren't ever really booked there for New Years Eve after all. The owner was just checking to see if we could do it. But it turns out that his workers didn't want to work that night at all. So, we got cancelled from a NYE gig, which our BL accepted at regular pay, that we apparently didn't ever have in the first place. Irony? Coincidence?

 

[pepj]

hmmmmm dont think he has this BL thing down very well.. lol

 

[51PRI]

hmmmmm dont think he has this BL thing down very well.. lol

Yeah, he does okay most of the time but there have been some questionable things. At one gig, the next town away from us, we showed up and it became apparent that sound was being provided, and we had loaded and hauled our PA. Things like that should be discussed early on in the booking stage. Many times our LG will text "is there a backline" and the BL will text back "I'l check." He should already know when he books a gig if there is a backline or PA provided. IMO.

 

[portpc]

Have a 6-9PM NYE gig at a local Bistro in the semi-tourist town where I reside. We do our regular fee & chances are a generous crowd / tip jar will make up any 'holiday" difference?

Not gouging folks who are repeat business / great places to play only reinforces our relationship and keeps our 1st call status. Also I'll be 62 then so the hours are appreciated!

 

[Pocket Dave]

Yeah, he does okay most of the time but there have been some questionable things. At one gig, the next town away from us, we showed up and it became apparent that sound was being provided, and we had loaded and hauled our PA. Things like that should be discussed early on in the booking stage. Many times our LG will text "is there a backline" and the BL will text back "I'l check." He should already know when he books a gig if there is a backline or PA provided. IMO.

Holy crappola - Sounds like basic gig-prep 101.

We worked with one agent/event planner who never sweated the details, hardly ever showed up at a gig to insure success - unless the client was a huge hotel and it suited her marketing needs. One wedding reception where the wedding itself took place after sunset in super-nice hotel courtyard in pitch black darkness because she failed to secure lighting; Plenty of events where the hotel flipped the ballroom too fast for us to setup and soundcheck before guest arrival, despite our own rider inclusion (which she had but would never sign); Hotel electricians who wouldn't bring power to the stage until right before downbeat; Mostly predictable and 100% avoidable stuff.

We showed up to one of her gigs at a high-end hotel to find the staff had set up our stage perpendicular to the back wall, fashion-show runway style. Again the agent was MIA, and the hotel staff seemed to be on an extended break drinking a lot of wine. And there was the French language barrier (don't ask).

OTOH, we had another agent who was always present, physically and of mind. Our first engagement with her was playing a well-paying restaurant/club venue where she had the lock; We were a last minute sub for The Dixie Chicks in their early days, whom she'd found a much higher paying private event for. Agent showed up as we started to sound check and asked, "where are your lights?"

"Uh, we thought the venue would have lights."

"Listen, I'm not going to say this ever again. Don't ever show up to one of my gigs again without lights, got it?"

Yeah, that's not exactly what she said, but since this is a family-friendly forum, well, you get the idea.

Point is, she had a head for details, booked us for a ton of private events where all kinds of things can go wrong, and every one of her gigs went off without a hitch. She was a good business partner, and we could always count on her to have our backs.

(And we never, ever, ever, ever wanted to make her angry.)

IME, THAT'S the kind of person a BL should be.

I sincerely hope your guy doesn't hold out too big an extra cut for BL duties. Like @pepj mentioned, sounds like he doesn't have the BL thing down too well.