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

[Element Zero]

Wow. Tough crowd. I’m in a rather small minority here in TB as money doesn’t equate to my love of playing music with people who wanna play music with other people, but I’d take the gig assuming the rest of the band was cool with it and no one had a better paying gig lined up.

 

[57pbass]

My position has always been to make as much money possible especially on NYE.
My reasoning is that since I’m a weekend warrior type of musician, if I/we go in at a low rate it’s just bad for the musicians who are full time or really need the extra income.
If they can hire us on the cheap everyone else gets screwed.
It’s a union mentality but that’s how I look at it.

 

[51PRI]

Would your band get another NYE gig?.......

Very unlikely. In fact this band has never played a NYE gig. The BL always said he didn't want to play them. Not sure why he does now

what are the alternatives --- for you, personally?

Just another night at home.

...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........

I thought the same thing. I have to think he will charging a large cover charge....not sure though.

What do the other guys think?

They all want to do it.

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.

We probably would play Auld Lang Syne, but nothing different on clothes or set list.

You say....

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?

Normal weekend rates.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Ah hellll no.
Theres 2 nights a year that even the worst bands get a premium.
Halloween....and New years eve
ESPECIALLY new years eve.
No way would I do it for regular Saturday night money.

 

[QweziRider]

Tough crowd. I’m in a rather small minority here in TB as money doesn’t equate to my love of playing music with people who wanna play music with other people

Not a tough crowd, just for many of us, this is our livelihood.

 

[51PRI]

Not a tough crowd, just for many of us, this is our livelihood.

Music isn't my livelihood. For me not playing cheap is a matter of principle. But to keep my band mates happy it looks like I will have to set my principles aside for this one. But are they really principles at all if I can set them aside so easily?

 

[crazyBassClown]

Not a tough crowd, just for many of us, this is our livelihood.

If your livelihood depends on what you can make competing with hobbyists for gigs in bars you should probably consider another livelihood...

 

[CosmicRay]

Hmmm, let me th.....NO

IMHO it's a weird night. I would rather be home with family & friends. I consider it amateur night.
Not in regard to bands, or musicians - but to drinkers that go out once a year and think they can handle it.

 

[Marko 1]

I wouldn't be concerned with some "principle of the thing"...

is it better than whatever else you'd be doing?

If yes, then I'd do it, especially since the others want to.

If I read correctly, it seems like the bar owner can't afford NYE rates, so it doesn't seem to be a slight against the band.

That said, I wouldn't put a whole lot more into it than a regular gig.

 

[QweziRider]

If your livelihood depends on what you can make competing with hobbyists for gigs in bars you should probably consider another livelihood...

Why should I change my livelihood to make room for them?

 

[crazyBassClown]

Why should I change my livelihood to make room for them?

Why should they change their hobby to make room for you? And they will always undercut you because they don't need the money.
But frankly if you aren't playing better gigs than a hobbyist maybe you should rethink the amount of effort you are putting in or how realistic musician is as a career for you. Even international touring sidemen aren't making a huge amount of money.

 

[Aidenn7]

If the bar is full.. Ppl are drunk.. It's simple.. Charge more for song request.. And put out the tip jar.. If it's not quit early.. And have a drink at midnight.. Make the deal for normal hours.. Then after that.. Do a paid per song request set.. Lol who knows you may make a mint..

 

[Blue Moose]

Nope.

 

[74hc]

I'm getting too old to stay up well past midnight. So, for my regular pay no way. I need bigger incentive to do so.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

#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

 

[Rip Van Dan]

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?

 

[themickster]

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?

Are you a money-grabbing user that takes advantage of friends and dumps them for someone richer? What do you think of someone that is? What do you think of businesses that hike their prices under any excuse? There was a day when you were happy to take any gig for nothing, for the love of playing. Some of you will spit hate at me for saying it. You are the above.

 

[BassyBill]

NYE should be AT LEAST triple normal rate, otherwise I’m staying home.

 

[glocke1]

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?

nope...not unless I really wanted to play or it was a great gig/venue.

Risk vs Reward is what enters my mind. Being out on NYE with that many people drinking and celebrating many of them being on the roadway afterwards isn't worth the hassle of leaving home.

The only exception to playing for typical or even reduced pay would be a private party of some type where I'd have the chance to hang out and chill after the gig before getting on the roads.

 

[dangevans]

Absolutely not. I am lucky enough where I play enough throughout the year where it isn't that important to play NYE, though... Which means I would want a lot more than I normally get for a gig.