• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Venting: Potential big gig ends up being a freebie

FirewalZ

FirewalZ

Aug 14, 2014
3,766
7,359
S.E. Michigan
#1
Got contacted by a large Speedway/Racetrack, they need band(s) to play their campgrounds on Race weekends....Thurs-Sat nights. Seemed like a great gig, i love playing campgrounds on summer evenings.
  • Band supplies PA, needs to be powerful enough for a large outdoor campground
  • You will need to setup and tear down each day.
  • Band can camp and get into the race for free.
  • Oh, and your compensation is the fact that we will promote your group and you get to camp for free?
Of course I said thanks but no thanks and ended it on a positive note, they seemed to understand and offered to keep our contact should something else pop up. However part of me was highly insulted and wanted to scream back at them....this is a very large venue/event/facility that is pulling in tons of ca$h on race weekends and you want us to play for free? I bet they didn't ask anyone else to work for no pay, why is it acceptable to ask musicians to work for free? Ill have to haul in a very large, heavy and expensive PA system that needs to be set up and take down each night, you want us to play for 3 hours, we are local and have no need or interest in free "camping", and any publicity would be nearly useless........:rage::banghead:
Venting Over!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pbassmanca, SWRnut, mikeyjm2 and 52 others
#10
FirewalZ said:
Got contacted by a large Speedway/Racetrack, they need band(s) to play their campgrounds on Race weekends....Thurs-Sat nights. Seemed like a great gig, i love playing campgrounds on summer evenings.
  • Band supplies PA, needs to be powerful enough for a large outdoor campground
  • You will need to setup and tear down each day.
  • Band can camp and get into the race for free.
  • Oh, and your compensation is the fact that we will promote your group and you get to camp for free?
Of course I said thanks but no thanks and ended it on a positive note, they seemed to understand and offered to keep our contact should something else pop up. However part of me was highly insulted and wanted to scream back at them....this is a very large venue/event/facility that is pulling in tons of ca$h on race weekends and you want us to play for free? I bet they didn't ask anyone else to work for no pay, why is it acceptable to ask musicians to work for free? Ill have to haul in a very large, heavy and expensive PA system that needs to be set up and take down each night, you want us to play for 3 hours, we are local and have no need or interest in free "camping", and any publicity would be nearly useless........:rage::banghead:
Venting Over!
Click to expand...


Better man than me.

Woulda burned that bridge like George Tecumseh Sherman.

Probably why I'm no longer a diplomat
 
  • Like
Reactions: oZZma, Pbassmanca, Guiseppe and 13 others
#12
Oh, you missed such an excellent trolling opportunity!

Whenever anybody has asked me to work for free, I've always clapped my hands together and said, "Sure, sounds great!" Of course, they always look vaguely surprised that someone is falling for this line of BS. That's when I say that 20% ownership of their company sounds fair, since they are obviously in such dire financial straits that they can't make payroll. That since they feel that I'm such a talented individual, it's worth it to have me as a partner. Offer to loan them money, and pull out your wallet. As they start to sputter, insist that you understand, and coming up short due to bad business decisions can happen to anyone. Tell them, that as a successful person, you're always looking for opportunity to diversify your business empire. Ask when the lawyers can get together, and where to bring your gear. Continue to profess kindness and understanding as long as you can keep a straight face.

Trust me, there is no finer entertainment!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hurricane Jimmie, oZZma, Max Bogosity and 48 others
#16
Oddly said:
As said above, they'll find some other band who'll jump at this.

If you guys are well-connected enough in the local band scene, maybe you could convince other bands not to take this, and present a united front to the venue that might make them re-consider, but I doubt it'd be worth the effort.
Click to expand...

I doubt it too.

There’s still going to be at least twice as many bands who will play for free (for “exposure”) as there are bands who will refuse.

The venue is just being financially prudent. Why shell out money if you don’t have to? Especially if they can get “good enough” of what they want for nothing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Passinwind, ImaStupidBaby, -Asdfgh- and 4 others
#19
40Hz said:
I doubt it too.

There’s still going to be at least twice as many bands who will play for free (for “exposure”) as there are bands who will refuse.

The venue is just being financially prudent. Why shell out money if you don’t have to? Especially if they can get “good enough” of what they want for nothing.
Click to expand...
Because it could have the opposite impact, drive people off or make the venue look silly, cheap and unprofessional... ever seen that YouTube clip of that band butchering a Pink Floyd tune....that’s what they’ll end up with and having nothing or a radio playing is better than that.:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: leto, RSBBass, jchrisk1 and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back