Venue Double Booked WWYD

[40Hz]

You might not know what will happen if you are accommodating, but you absolutely know what will happen if you aren't accommodating.

^This.

Choose your battles. The venue has made their decision. You can work with that and an eye towards future work and a possible good working relationship; or you can ”stand your ground” and slam the door behind you.

Considering it’s a casual thing for your band - and you’re willing to work for what’s basically “hobo pay” it doesn’t strike me as something worth getting into a showdown over. If you had passed on another engagement, or there was serious money involved, it’d be one thing. But getting bent out of shape over something as minor as getting a night switched? Nope. Roll with it.

Note: I wouldn’t automatically assume the double booking wasn’t an accident like some here are saying. I’ve been in a few situations where a place had two owners who each booked a different band for the same night without telling each other. It happens. No need to assume something nefarious.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

In early January my band booked two Friday evening gigs at a relatively new local brewery, for April and May 2022. We were told by a co-owner to look at their calendar and choose open dates, which we did. The co-owner confirmed. However, earlier today he emailed that the brewery had double booked and those dates are no longer available for us. Now their calendar shows the same solo singer songwriter on most, if not all, Friday evenings for the next six months.

The co-owner was apologetic and offered to book us as far out as we want to book, even set up bi-weekly spot (he wants us to help him build a Grateful Dead scene, and that's what we do). For additional context, the pay is low but the brewery is generous with food and beer, both of which are reportedly quite good. Also our first performance there is this coming Thursday, and I'm guessing the owner might ask us what we want to do.

Curious to know TBer's thoughts about all this and how folks here have handled similar situations. Would you even consider booking at a venue that reneged on two gigs?

My though is if you draw more (drinkers/eaters) than the singer/songwriter (unless the singer song writer happens to be the owners daughter), might change the parameters. As for the two April gigs, jobs increase based on the receipts. On the gigs you are doing, bring a hungry thirsty mob along with you. The situation might just resolve itself.

 

[sean_on_bass]

A solo singer/songwriter with a brewery friday night residency? Somehow i doubt that is gonna last too long before people complain of sheer boredom.

 

[Killing Floor]

Depending on your goals and the reality of your situation I’d be disappointed but I would not burn bridges. Let’s assume this brewery doesn’t have a professional booking agent, right? So it could be a mistake or it could be some manager promised your slots before you got them. We all have thresholds for free beer.

If you agree to book “replacement” gigs there use this as leverage for good nights.

 

[wheelsup247]

Prediction: If your band sells more food and drink (is better for the brewery’s business) than the solo singer songwriter (probably with a god-awful looping machine)…then some type of magic will occur and dates will open up for your Grateful Dead band.

The brewery is having you there to draw a crowd that will buy food and drink. Do it well…it’s a known fact lots of those current Deadheads are professionals who have disposable income and love to have a good time. Best of luck.

 

[bucephylus]

In early January my band booked two Friday evening gigs at a relatively new local brewery, for April and May 2022. We were told by a co-owner to look at their calendar and choose open dates, which we did. The co-owner confirmed. However, earlier today he emailed that the brewery had double booked and those dates are no longer available for us. Now their calendar shows the same solo singer songwriter on most, if not all, Friday evenings for the next six months.

The co-owner was apologetic and offered to book us as far out as we want to book, even set up bi-weekly spot (he wants us to help him build a Grateful Dead scene, and that's what we do). For additional context, the pay is low but the brewery is generous with food and beer, both of which are reportedly quite good. Also our first performance there is this coming Thursday, and I'm guessing the owner might ask us what we want to do.

Curious to know TBer's thoughts about all this and how folks here have handled similar situations. Would you even consider booking at a venue that reneged on two gigs?

Old story. At least they contacted you ahead of time. This can be even more entertaining when both acts show up for the gig, and someone has to schlep back home with no pay. Been there done that on both sides. Too often.

Booking and club owners are the most unenjoyable part of the whole activity. Most club owners seem required to get lobotomies before ownership. Those that don’t get lobotomies get a crash course in unethical business practices. Many are just plain incompetent.

Previous posts are correct to this extent: smile and move on. Some club owners are actually great to work with; but, you have to weed out the bad ones. Takes thick skin. Every musician should front a band at least once to get some real world experience with this side of things. Makes one more appreciative of the gigs that do go well.

 

[DigitalMan]

The only question I see is if there was an opportunity cost. Did booking these dates prevent your band from booking other gigs, and is it too late now to fill those dates? Will your band be out of work on days that it would normally be working?

 

[LBS-bass]

Prediction: If your band sells more food and drink (is better for the brewery’s business) than the solo singer songwriter (probably with a god-awful looping machine)…then some type of magic will occur and dates will open up for your Grateful Dead band.

If I saw a club doing that to other acts, I'd run as far as I could. Just means they will continue to do it to you, as well.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

At least you received a few months warning. My experience is showing up at the venue, opening the door to the stage, and finding another band going through a few songs they were going to play that night. We didn’t get anything except the club owner telling us he was sorry. We didn’t play there again.

It seems you at least got notified well in advance and was offered another spot, which would indicate the venue owner isn’t against you playing there. Sounds like an honest mistake or a change of plans well in advance, both of which happens at most all live music venues.

My band did recently get booked at a location that was owned by a married couple who both booked bands. They sometimes didn’t coordinate things well and would double book. We didn’t have that problem, but we spoke to other bands that had that problem and another issue; sometimes one spouse would cancel a band and book a band they liked better. We heard about this from a few different bands, so when we booked there, we made sure to call and confirm the date with both. I guess we were lucky in the fact both both spouses liked (or disliked) us about equally.

 

[bolophonic]

You should show up early, play the singer/songwriter’s set, then spray glue (strong stuff) on their accelerator pedal before you flee the scene. I’ve heard this works.

 

[eyeballkid]

LET THE OTHER BAND TAKE IT!!!
15 years ago I played in a band that played out 50-60 times a year. We only got double booked once. I told the promoter to just give it to the other band because we could play there anytime. Damn glad I did! The night of the show a guy came in and shot three or four people in a random shooting. Stay home and play another day!

 

[ashtray]

They booked you bi-weekly without you even playing there once?! Wow. Interesting. I guess they were happy to put “live music” on their advertising, especially when they get it next to free.

If you bring in a decent sized crowd to your first gig, renegotiate the rate (actual money) for the following dates.

If you agree to a take at the door, see if they are even charging to get in! And then if so, how much. A 50% take of $2 entry does not go far. Preferably, negotiate a flat dollar amount, on top of food and drinks:

“Hey listen, we enjoy playing here, but I gotta look after my guys. One of them uses the gig money to help feed his kids as a second job, and two of the guys have to drive a distance to get here. We had xxx people here tonight - seemed to be enjoying themselves. Can we bump the $ up to $$ for the next gig?”

 

[fishdreams]

Happens all the time and i wouldn't be too busy why.

I'd take the biweekly for now. Build your audience, and move on if they still won't pay you after you demonstrably start to bring in crowds.

Out here in NY, the 55 bar had a great reputation for giving folks nobody had ever heard of a monthly 2 sets (with a little pay) if they thought they had something interesting to offer, even if they barely brought an audience. 20-30 years later now-famous folks such as Mike Stern still play there on occasion.

 

[RichardW]

We showed up for a gig once and the manager of the venue had no idea who we were or why we were there. The owner of the joint had hired us and never said a thing to his manager. The manager was giving us a hard time--I guess he was thinking he'd play recorded music all night and not owe a band money--but we talked our way in and played the gig. The venue went out of business a few months later--what a surprise.

 

[51PRI]

...you cats with so many gigs that you can turn down dates based on your perception of 'disrespect' are in an enviable position!

Well, I don't know that anyone here has so many bookings that they can just turn down gigs willy-nilly, but maybe so. But what's right is right, too.

...a Grateful Dead type band doesn't sound like a big moneymaker.

That's what I thought, too, but the OP says that there are a lot of heads where he lives, so, if they can establish a busy night on an off night playing all Grateful Dead they can up their pay and maybe write their own ticket. I've heard of that happening.

realistically, what leverage do you have in this situation ( or any bar-type gig)? it's pretty much take it or leave it nowadays

Sometimes "leave it" is the right answer.

...Most club owners seem required to get lobotomies before ownership. Those that don’t get lobotomies get a crash course in unethical business practices. Many are just plain incompetent.....

It seems to me that many club owners have never been in the club owning business before but don't have a clue and get into it thinking it's quick bucks.

 

[JRA]

I don't know that anyone here has so many bookings that they can just turn down gigs willy-nilly, but maybe so. But what's right is right, too.

i take it that you interpreted the OP as having been messed over? others did.

 

[Honkey tonk]

know your place ... from there, go with professionalism.

 

[51PRI]

i take it that you interpreted the OP as having been messed over? others did.

As I said, I think the Owner booked over the OP's band because he wanted that solo singer as his Friday night entertainment. I don't see that as a mistake or a double booking but I supposes it's possible.

 

[2F/2F]

My guess is that he didn't "double book," but rather, he bumped you for an act he wanted more.

That said, if you are fine with playing for [almost literally] peanuts, then take the residency. Sounds fun, and you already know what the compensation is. As long as there's no more funny business, just see what happens.

 

[jimmydean]

Not enough to worry about , just do the future gigs and make the best of it .