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Should we pay this band?

#61
Femiluv said:
They recently said they would like to get paid for our next event, which I do not agree with. My friend and I always pay for their expenses, gas, equipment, etc. They also get free food and drinks, but I think asking for pay is quite ridiculous.

They are good, but not great. Feedback we received after last months event said that they seemed like a high school band. That is one of the reasons I'm willing to pay the first guy, but not them. Thoughts?
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You can put a value on paying for a band's expenses, gas, food, drinks, etc. It probably adds up to a substantial number for a 6-member band. I can understand why adding money for them playing the actual gig causes you to hesitate, especially based on their experience / performance level.

One alternative is for you to put a realistic number to everything you're already giving them, and offering that to them in cash in lieu of paying all of their expenses. I realize it's 6 of one / half a dozen for you, but maybe that would help the band realize that you are already paying them - just in a way they're not seeing. Maybe giving them the cash lets them make their own decisions about eating at your place or Subway. Welcome to the real world of professional music, band. :hmm:
 
#62
JimmyM said:
Gas, equipment, and food/drink doesn't benefit the band. If I wasn't driving to the gig, I wouldn't need gas, PA and lighting SHOULD be supplied, and I have food at home, which is where I'd happily sit my fat ass when a promoter offers to rip me off.
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Really? The food at your house is free? In MY house, I have to pay for it. And if myself or my wife has to cook it, there is the opportunity cost of the preparation involved. It may be minimal, but food and drink ARE compensation.

Also, depending upon what the OP gives them for gas money, the band could be in fact profiting (or losing I admit). Again, even if they are profiting it would be minimal, but still compensation.

The OP is offering to compensate the band, just not at the rate that you or most all of TB (including me, BTW) would ever agree to work for. But I don't know why you guys get so angry about it. It really is a simple situation: show organizer has a right to decide what works for the show's budget, and the entertainers have a right to not take the job if the offered compensation isn't enough.

I had a very nice couple come up to me on a gig recently and ask if our band could play at their daughter's wedding. They said they could pay $300 (for the whole band). Should I have gotten mad at them for offering to rip me off? No, it's just business; I politely declined, saying that wasn't anywhere near what we would do a wedding for, and gently suggested they would have trouble finding even a DJ for that little, but wished them luck and away they went. No reason to get angry, right?
 
#67
Factor88 said:
Really? The food at your house is free? In MY house, I have to pay for it. And if myself or my wife has to cook it, there is the opportunity cost of the preparation involved. It may be minimal, but food and drink ARE compensation.
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No it isn't. I'm going to drive an hour or two in my own vehicle and play for a few hours. Food and drink doesn't make up for that at all, especially when you see some of the crap food I have been offered as part of my "compensation package."

Also, depending upon what the OP gives them for gas money, the band could be in fact profiting (or losing I admit). Again, even if they are profiting it would be minimal, but still compensation.
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What about oil? What about tires? What about other repairs? Does gas money cover that? No it doesn't. Yeah, you might get an extra $20 out of the promoter. Big deal.

The OP is offering to compensate the band, just not at the rate that you or most all of TB (including me, BTW) would ever agree to work for. But I don't know why you guys get so angry about it. It really is a simple situation: show organizer has a right to decide what works for the show's budget, and the entertainers have a right to not take the job if the offered compensation isn't enough.

I had a very nice couple come up to me on a gig recently and ask if our band could play at their daughter's wedding. They said they could pay $300 (for the whole band). Should I have gotten mad at them for offering to rip me off? No, it's just business; I politely declined, saying that wasn't anywhere near what we would do a wedding for, and gently suggested they would have trouble finding even a DJ for that little, but wished them luck and away they went. No reason to get angry, right?
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Except the OP clearly understands it's an insult and is just looking for validation to be cheap.
 
#69
Wow, so many responses. Thanks for all your input.

To clarify a few things:
1. I'm not a musician. I'm a 21 y.o (female not male) full-time student/part-time event planner.

2. The 6-member band are my friends. They range in age from 19-24.

3. The previous events they played at were not for profit events in my school.

4. I don't have a problem paying them, however our event budget is little. Last month's event turned up around $150 in profit. We're hoping for more this month of course. Entry is $25, multiply by 6 members is already $150 which is all our profit. Plus about $40 in gas expenses, etc.

5. Someone talked about their performance. Since their first public performance in my uni 3 months ago, they have improved quite a bit. They actually rehearse as a group now lol

OTOH, it sounds mean to say we'll pay them $150 for this gig, and they don't get any food during the event. It's good food :))

Anyways, we're meeting with the band leader tomorrow to talk things through.
 
#71
Tampabass said:
What's their playing time (I may have missed this) - one set or all night long?
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Definitely important to know. If their set is 45 minutes and then they get to hang out at the party then it's hard to say if they should be paid or not.

I still feel though that if the other performer is being paid then this band should be as well. I'm assuming the other performer gets paid, gets free food, and gets compensated in gas as well.

If the band still wants to get paid maybe just offer them a small amount like 50 dollars? At least they would be getting paid something for the show and you will still be able to take some profits for the work done to put the show on.
 
#72
gigslut said:
Would you feed garbage to your guests and say "Hey, but it's free"?
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This 100%

If anything it seems they have been paying their dues and playing for free for awhile. Since you have been asking for them to come back multiple times they are realizing they must be worth something.
 
#74
Well if you don't have the budget, you don't have it. But the band didn't go over the last time they played, so why even bother if paying them will make you go over budget?
 
#76
JimmyM said:
Oh, and if I was playing at the Whiskey, I would expect to be paid, and if they tried not to pay me, I wouldn't do the gig. Their so-called "legendary" status can get stuffed as far as I'm concerned. I work for a living.
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Most bands dont get paid to play at the Whisky, unless you can fill the place up.
Its mostly come to be known as Hollywood's favorite Pay-to-Play venue.
 
#77
gigslut said:
That pretty much sums it up. We could probably close the thread on this note, since the OP has become a ...

SeagullCIMG5552.jpg
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The OP has become a seagull? Well then No, I dont think the OP should pay the band. Where do seagulls get their money from? Your tax dollars!
 
#79
Femiluv said:
Wow, so many responses. Thanks for all your input.

To clarify a few things:
1. I'm not a musician. I'm a 21 y.o (female not male) full-time student/part-time event planner.

2. The 6-member band are my friends. They range in age from 19-24.

3. The previous events they played at were not for profit events in my school.

4. I don't have a problem paying them, however our event budget is little. Last month's event turned up around $150 in profit. We're hoping for more this month of course. Entry is $25, multiply by 6 members is already $150 which is all our profit. Plus about $40 in gas expenses, etc.

5. Someone talked about their performance. Since their first public performance in my uni 3 months ago, they have improved quite a bit. They actually rehearse as a group now lol

OTOH, it sounds mean to say we'll pay them $150 for this gig, and they don't get any food during the event. It's good food :))

Anyways, we're meeting with the band leader tomorrow to talk things through.
Click to expand...

Here are my thoughts. I'm a part time professional bassist, and work for bands that get hired by event planners. My advice is "what's done is done" with respect to the upcoming gig with this particular group. It sounds like you're trying to do the right thing. But there are some things that you can do in the future, that will make you more successful as an event planner when providing musical entertainment.

First, develop a network of local commercial bandleaders. They are the ones who can help you figure out how to provide quality professional entertainment within your budget. Those African drummers may very well have additional skills and contacts, and might be willing to provide both bands for a single price with a single contract.

The bandleader's job is to make your life easy and minimize your risk of problems by taking care of your needs. For instance, most bandleaders have a list of reliable subs who are ready to jump in, should one of the regular band members get sick. And professional bands have the experience to keep the show going even when mishaps occur. Providing this level of quality will boost your reputation and help you move into booking higher class (i.e., higher money) events. And the bandleaders will be with you every step of the way as you grow in your career.

Second, don't try to figure out the band's budget yourself. It's much simpler to negotiate a flat rate for the band, and let the bandleader sort out his budget. On a personal note, I don't care about the food. I know that you pay an ungodly amount for catering, and I'd rather help you save some money by not paying $$$ to feed me. Between you and me, the caterers will slip us some food on the side.

All the best!
 
#80
Femiluv said:
Wow, so many responses. Thanks for all your input.

To clarify a few things:
1. I'm not a musician. I'm a 21 y.o (female not male) full-time student/part-time event planner.

2. The 6-member band are my friends. They range in age from 19-24.

3. The previous events they played at were not for profit events in my school.

4. I don't have a problem paying them, however our event budget is little. Last month's event turned up around $150 in profit. We're hoping for more this month of course. Entry is $25, multiply by 6 members is already $150 which is all our profit. Plus about $40 in gas expenses, etc.

5. Someone talked about their performance. Since their first public performance in my uni 3 months ago, they have improved quite a bit. They actually rehearse as a group now lol

OTOH, it sounds mean to say we'll pay them $150 for this gig, and they don't get any food during the event. It's good food :))

Anyways, we're meeting with the band leader tomorrow to talk things through.
Click to expand...

It's great that you're meeting with the band leader. I suggest you give him/her the benefit of reading this thread prior to the meeting.

It seems that you got them started as a band and since they are rehearsing/practicing to improve, apparently, in their view, the time has come to be "paid".

As far as $25 each plus gas expenses,etc, I agree with other posters that they should be getting a flat payment and paying all their expenses out of that. Not both.

From what you described, the $25 is the entrance fee to your event that includes the food.

IME, the individual ticket price doesn't relate to how much the band is paid. I mean, letting them in the door shouldn't be seen as a $25 loss since they're performers and not attendees for your event. It also doesn't mean that you're "paying" the band $25 by giving them a meal.

Based on events that I've hosted, each meal served does not equal the ticket price, otherwise how do you raise money?

Seems to me that you should be concentrating on getting better attendance to your events and selling more tickets so everyone can be paid fairly. Otherwise, don't hold the events.

Not paying one of your vendors is not the way to raise cash.

IME, you're really not making enough "cashflow" (profit) to continue doing business, non-profit or otherwise.
 

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