Venue Double Booked WWYD

[BlueTalon]

When they do that often enough that bands refuse to book, they learn.

Or not.

 

[LBS-bass]

what leverage do you have in this situation

They have a draw. Those are people who aren't going to come to spend money at this venue now. A band with a draw is every club owner's holy grail.

 

[LBS-bass]

Or not.

Well, maybe not, but they won't get the better bands if they keep that up. In this town? Nah, word gets around fast when people aren't playing fair.

 

[LBS-bass]

Well, I don't know that anyone here has so many bookings that they can just turn down gigs willy-nilly,

I'm surprised to even see this as a thing. But I shouldn't be. The majority of the people posting here are in bands for reasons other than to make a living. Most of us are either working day jobs or retired, so what exactly is the incentive to just take any job that comes along?

Seems to me that when the prevalent mentality is to allow people to treat you poorly, you shouldn't be surprised when they do. Some of us have figured this out and - wait for it - have more work than we ever did because we hold ourselves to standards that make what we do more desirable to those who are willing to work with us for it.

(Quoting for reference, not to argue with 51PRI specifically)

 

[drewphishesp]

Grateful Dead nights are usually some of the best for local establishments. There's always a built in fan base and usually a good turn out. Play a few times, show what you can do then name your price/dates

 

[tilehilder]

Probably need to cut everyone a little slack and give them another chance. You could not pay me enough to run a venue, brewery or a restaurant right now.

 

[dcr]

I have a problem with the low pay and being generous with food and beer. If your band is ok with this arrangement, have at it. The double booked thing seems like BS to me. But that's just me.

Think I'd tend to agree here.


dcr

 

[bigdaddybass12]

brewery is generous with food and beer, both of which are reportedly quite good
Call me if you need a back-up !!
At least he let you know in advance and wants to work with you guys. May be a good connection, give him a chance...Maybe ask for more money if you draw a good crowd...

 

[Outbush]

I can’t image the same guy entertaining in one location for 6 months and keeping a crowd - regulars will get bored. If it’s a good gig hang around & 10 weeks down the track maybe you’ll get your gig.

 

[5StringBlues]

<------does not play for beer.

 

[BlueTalon]

I'd probably do the first gig, but I'd ask for a short (5 minute) business meeting with the co-owner. I'd want the truth about what happened and why we got bumped, and I'd want the chance to make the case that their decision was probably a bad one, for reasons previously mentioned. (Who wants to see the same performer week after week after week?) And I'd want the opportunity to try to get a few of those Friday gigs, like once a month. The other act can play on a Thursday once a month, right?

 

[JRA]

I think the Owner booked over the OP's band because he wanted that solo singer as his Friday night entertainment.

that's my understanding. the OP's dilemma is this:

Would you even consider booking at a venue that reneged on two gigs?

a lot of experienced players have weighed in from the general viewpoint of "showing some patience with a growing concern" if having something from the relationship is better than having nothing.
it's not "all or nothing" --- it's "something or nothing."

he bumped you for an act he wanted more. That said, take the residency

exactly! edit: and work it into something more, better.

 

[Spearsy]

It’s not a good idea to start a new business partnership by allowing the other party to walk all over you, esp when that other party is a bar owner looking to only use you to maximize his own profit. How long before you get bumped again for something else, suppose the songwriter decides they like Saturday because it’s busier, and that’s your night? Guess what, you’re getting moved because there’s already been a precedent set, and you guys are a “novelty cover band”, in their eyes, no offense meant, I’m sure you guys can rock a house down.

Honestly, I’d find another venue, it already sounds like your band has taken a back seat to the obviously much preferred Friday night singer. If the beer and food are good, go there Friday and have some and enjoy the live singer. Your talents are worth more than a plate of dinner and a couple beers.

This ^^^
The more people play for nothing, the more people play for nothing.

 

[drewphishesp]

Man the freaking drama in this thread. They're a new brewery, looks like they booked a regular for a residency for Friday nights forgetting they've already had someone booked. No one bumped anyone it's just a case of poor planning. If you do half the things I've read in this post they probably won't want to work with you anymore bc of the drama and difficulty. Either play w a new date or not , it's not big money so roll with it

 

[truand85]

Reputation matters more. Being professional and easy to work with pays off in the long run.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

an honorable business manager! wow, that's a rare beast. no unions in texas, so around these parts they're even rarer ....

There has always been a musicians union in Texas. My dad was in it before me. And I never played a union gig in Texas. I don't recall the dues in Nashville, but they were expensive. I joined in my home town where my aunt ran the local. It was $30 to join.

 

[yodedude2]

^^ thanks for the info! i've been playing gigs for over 20 years and this is thefirst i've heard of it.

 

[mrcbass]

For new venue that seems to be trying to work something out, I'd give them a pass on a mixup. But I'd be leery of setting up anything long term until you see that actually do want to work with you.

I saw some comments regarding bar tab in lieu of better pay, and for me I don't mind food an bevs as part of my comps. I wouldn't be inclined to want to play the place frequently, but dinner a few beers shows a little bit of respect. A lot of venue that don't pay well, simply can't - they just don't make the money to do so. I'd rather see the venue be able to continue to operate and supply live music than expect them to go broke paying me. Venue s don't pay well and are stingy about bar tabs are ones I prefer to avoid.

 

[bigswifty1]

For additional context, the pay is low but the brewery is generous with food and beer, both of which are reportedly quite good.

With that for my only context, personally I would not have even taken the first bookings.

As for the second, upcoming bookings, my first point of discussion would be cancellation fees for the original bookings (since presumably those bookings prevented you from taking on other work). I would bring that up with no expectation of redress, but so at least you've driven home the point that you've been screwed over and they owe you.

My next question would be could they please keep the food and beer (which probably costs them peanuts) and just pay a proper fee. Better yet, a proper fee *and* a modest food and beverage rider if that is important to you.

 

[51PRI]

I can’t image the same guy entertaining in one location for 6 months and keeping a crowd - regulars will get bored. If it’s a good gig hang around & 10 weeks down the track maybe you’ll get your gig.

Things are different now, I suppose, but "back in the day" house bands were the thing, at least here. I played in several scenarios where we played in the same place, 6 nights a week, for years at a time. That all changes after MADD got going and got laws changed.

...A lot of venue that don't pay well, simply can't - they just don't make the money to do so. I'd rather see the venue be able to continue to operate and supply live music than expect them to go broke paying me. Venue s don't pay well and are stingy about bar tabs are ones I prefer to avoid.

To me venues that can't afford to pay bands a decent amount of money don't need to try to have bands. It's no different than if they can't afford to pay their liquor or beer distributor, or for electricity to keep the doors open. Just because a venue "just don't make the money" to afford a band doesn't mean that musicians should play for chump change, in my opinion. Why is it up to the band to payroll a bar's bottom line? Does the beer supplier give them a break on the price of Bud Light? If a band doesn't value their talent then for d@mn sure no bar owner will, either. Who wants to be known as the band that will play cheap?