Are they just booking them, or are only duos and trios accepting the gigs?
I ask because I have played at places where $300 is the price. Solo, duo, trio, larger band: you get $300.
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Post pandemic gig pricing
- Thread starter seanm
- Start date
I ask because I have played at places where $300 is the price. Solo, duo, trio, larger band: you get $300.
Yes, same here, 7-11 is most common "night" gig now.
I didn't mean to be too snarky but the "just" in that sentence?
Prices have increased and enough gigs to be able to chose the better ones in terms of rate and rosta.
But you might only work 4 a month, but then that is ok because there is enough to keep that ticking over.
Barring taking cancellations, these place book 3 a year to keep their rota fresh. But the standard is ok so any band that misses their mark can easily be dropped.
Solo's and duo's aren't cheap but can't really compete with a decent full band here.
Some towns are very electic, some are sunday specials where you get all the venues stagger playing times so you can do a music tour from 12:00 to 22:00 and the later audiences can be pretty drunk.
Others are mainstream which is where most bands do a similar set. These work with some bands but generally people expect a bit more.
The main thing is who is the audience?
Older audiences are used to seeing live bands so can be discerning but appreciative, younger audiences just get into the music and are big spenders and can go for anything as long as it loud.
In the summer, every place is trying to put on a special event and bring in bands. This is where the standard gets varible because there arent enough good bands to go around.
But if are up against these bands, you'll likely draw their audience because people go between venues to see/hear what's happening.
But you might only work 4 a month, but then that is ok because there is enough to keep that ticking over.
Barring taking cancellations, these place book 3 a year to keep their rota fresh. But the standard is ok so any band that misses their mark can easily be dropped.
Solo's and duo's aren't cheap but can't really compete with a decent full band here.
Some towns are very electic, some are sunday specials where you get all the venues stagger playing times so you can do a music tour from 12:00 to 22:00 and the later audiences can be pretty drunk.
Others are mainstream which is where most bands do a similar set. These work with some bands but generally people expect a bit more.
The main thing is who is the audience?
Older audiences are used to seeing live bands so can be discerning but appreciative, younger audiences just get into the music and are big spenders and can go for anything as long as it loud.
In the summer, every place is trying to put on a special event and bring in bands. This is where the standard gets varible because there arent enough good bands to go around.
But if are up against these bands, you'll likely draw their audience because people go between venues to see/hear what's happening.
We have one place where we play for $300. That is all they can reasonably pay because their room capacity is like 50 people. We can get by with a minimum for a PA, 1/4 of our lights, make out well in the tip jar, and it's like playing a really fun house party because we're on a first name basis with 90% of the audience. The fun we have there is absolutely worth every penny we didn't make.
But $300 is less than even our regular pre 'vid gig price.
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Power trios are a thing, but pulling that off is not easy. What I meant by my comment is two guys with acoustic guitars and a singer who doesn't play. Those are the kinds of acts being booked around here most often.
No, full bands are having a very hard time getting gigs.
I think a lot of the $300 places don't want loud bands. They want a mellow acoustic act. If they wanted bands they'd probably be willing to pay a bit more for that, or charge a cover.
I know bands that have dumped their drummer because places they played were no longer happy with the volume that involves.
Which is fine but I would happily cross them off my list as unsuitable gigs for me anyway.
If a venue is tight on space, either for band or audience and the money too low, plus they have issues with neighbours; this all adds up to inappropriate places to play and that's something I'm willing to do without.
If a venue is tight on space, either for band or audience and the money too low, plus they have issues with neighbours; this all adds up to inappropriate places to play and that's something I'm willing to do without.
Yes, but when they've been hiring bands in the past and are choosing acoustic acts now, it just eliminates venues from the scene that used to be viable.
The writing is on the wall for bands, period. The way we all do things is so 20th century and analog. Pressing strings on a surface to change pitch. How quaint.
It wouldn't make much difference wrt space and money because they wouldnt be a gig I'd target.
If the money they now paid dragged the standard down, which I would expect it too, but otherwise remained the right sort of venue, that also rules them out again.
Its true that a band that is miles better doesn't necessarily get that premium in the fee, but it would just be a matter of time that the low fee/low band model proves it doesn't work.
But of course, some places can't afford an alternative model. That says to me, that that venue will not work as far as booking us in so I don't bother.
If the money they now paid dragged the standard down, which I would expect it too, but otherwise remained the right sort of venue, that also rules them out again.
Its true that a band that is miles better doesn't necessarily get that premium in the fee, but it would just be a matter of time that the low fee/low band model proves it doesn't work.
But of course, some places can't afford an alternative model. That says to me, that that venue will not work as far as booking us in so I don't bother.
I think you are not understanding the point here. A gig you would have targeted has become a gig you no longer want. That means there is one less gig in the pool of gigs that you still do want, and that is the issue.
If this happens to all the venues, where are you going to play?
I was making the same while gigging before as after. Hours didn’t change. Stopped gigging in bands a year ago to resurrect an acoustic duo with my wife so more money (per person) better hours and gigs. I’m happy.
Its simple..the venue fits because it pays well, it has room and it is known as a good gig.
If it fails on any of that, and the varibles are decent pay and therefore rosta, it is no longer a gig really worth having.
Each town probably has 10 gigs a weekend on average but you might only have a handful of good gigs..as opposed to any gigs.
New music nights/venues are starting up all the time and the summer adds even more with outdoors options.
I average 25 a year so at 3 per venue, you only need 8 decent venues....and with the summer, there are easily that.
Decent places have grasped the folly of $350 gigs.
Its a false economy.
I HATE that. We are obviously a ROCK band. Don't book us if you want patrons to have background music and quiet conversation.
That said...drummer is coming to grips with moving to Electronic Kit.
I know more full time players now than ever before.
Cost of living has risen and I don't think it is easy for them, but they aren't rejoining the Rat Race.
Of course, they may have supplementary incomes but I would guess a large part of their income is gigs, other musical situations and trading goods to a small degree.
To do that and get a yearly wage, they are going to need a couple of well paid functions plus 3 or 4 other gigs week in, week out.
Some have mortgages, most rent. Neither are cheap.
How well they survive I'm not sure, and I think a few are under pressure, but they are still doing it full time.
It's the same over here around the Denver metro area. Our BL won't take less than $600 for the night (4-piece band), but that's his bare minimum and it's usually more. We've got 15 shows between now and the end of July with August and September starting to fill out as well. Few road gigs here and there too which are always fun.
It's far from nightly but we're definitely keeping busy.
My overall impression is that lockdown made bar type businesses completely remodel.
They adapted and survived...some didn't ..and it seems the vibe is the make up for lost time.
People want a release and the good bars are vibrant and doing well.
Bands are charging more and aren't short of work.
I pickup last minute gigs 2 or 3 times a month and I need more than 2 outfits to take up these opportunities.
I'm now trawling my mates from the past to put pick up bands in so definitely the work is there and can afford to pay travel ..due to increased fees.. for people who travel 50miles each way.
So, pre and post, so much better with the latter, ime.
They adapted and survived...some didn't ..and it seems the vibe is the make up for lost time.
People want a release and the good bars are vibrant and doing well.
Bands are charging more and aren't short of work.
I pickup last minute gigs 2 or 3 times a month and I need more than 2 outfits to take up these opportunities.
I'm now trawling my mates from the past to put pick up bands in so definitely the work is there and can afford to pay travel ..due to increased fees.. for people who travel 50miles each way.
So, pre and post, so much better with the latter, ime.
