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Well, we did it!! (pay to play content)

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#141
we couldn't get 100 people to come see us if we had to buy the tickets ourselves. there isn't a big market for old guys who play songs about 300 year-old dead guys. I know! Shocking!

we play events with built-in crowds. some we get paid, some we don't.

we enjoy 'spreading the word' onstage

OP, you MUST tell us how the show goes over....
 
#142
mflaherty said:
If it was easy to sell 100 tickets, can you sell 100 more and keep the $1500?
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I wish. Each opening band got 100 presale tickets at $15 each. From what i was told once we ran out of those, tickets had to be purchased through HOB box office for $22.50. :rollno:

again, i didn't book this show.

***ducks and covers from what responses are coming next***
 
#143
gustobassman said:
I will say it again, i was never on board with this. The other guys voted me down. Whats done is done. I dont like to do p2p, and never have. Tickets are sold, the band is happy and moving forward.

Its one gig people.
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What your bandmates need to realize is that every single person working there that night will get paid...except the band.

Yes, it's "just one gig"...for your band. But it's a proven business model for The House of Blues. They have designed a system that provides them with free entertainment and a guaranteed crowd night after night. There is no need for them ever to pay a band because every band that comes through there not only plays for free, but provides them with $1500 in ticket sales.

Now, consider this: What would happen to The House of Blues if no bands played for free? They only have two options: They either have to pay they bands or stop providing live music.
 
#144
The OP needs to stop taking it personally - you're doing the gig - done - hopefully it brings some return

But no one has explained to me how this works - who makes the offer? I have a strong suspicion there are snakes in the grass profiting off this scenario
 
#145
HOBSD has a 1000 seat capacity.

you and the other 2 bands guarantee 300 seats filled. headliner doesn't have to bring in ONE person.

the headliner is probably being paid by the efforts of the opening band(s)

F all those guys and that system (HOB and Mower)

totally dig the cachet/appeal of playing a big venue but dang.....
 
#146
Also, it's clearly an unsustainable model without new cannon fodder - always need new bands to exploit since you won't sell another 100 tickets yourself for another 6 months - if you have to keep going back to that limited well of 'followers' you'd burn them out quick

Instead of building a greater following you waste what you already have
 
#147
grinx said:
HOBSD has a 1000 seat capacity.

you and the other 2 bands guarantee 300 seats filled. headliner doesn't have to bring in ONE person.

the headliner is probably being paid by the efforts of the opening band(s)

F all those guys and that system (HOB and Mower)

totally dig the cachet/appeal of playing a big venue but dang.....
Click to expand...

Believe me i feel you. I was the lone "no" vote. It is what is, but Mower sells out shows here in SD. They are a marketing machine and they have sold a boatload of tickets. I can't be negative when they are out working their butts off to promote this show. They ponied up for the advertising, we didn't.
 
#148
it is networking that didn't cost you anything but some travel/setup time and some orchestration of efforts

hard to know if your metric gets met as far as 'exposure'

however, not many new folks are going to see you at 'Stiffies on Sunset' nor are you going to get exposed to higher-level bands and the networking/playing opportunities that this situation could present by playing some rinky-dink bars you might make some money at, once

you don't know until you try

much luck, bro!
 
#149
So can you set up a table at the entrance and sign everyone up for your free mailing list? Aside from selling a few tee shirts, there might be more long term value from this experience by creating a virtual relationship with the people who hear you. Or does HOB forbid you from such direct interaction with THEIR customers? I'm sure you'll have fun playing this gig but the overall business model drips with slime.
 
#150
I dont know who else is on the bill with you that evening but a $22.50 cover charge seems a bit steep if its just a bunch of local bands, no offense Im sure your group is quite good, but as an example, I saw Wishbone Ash and Nektar together the other night for $15.00, Martin Turner was great BTW, This was at a very high profile club as well. point is, these were well known bands and the ticket price was very reasonable. House of Blues seems like they are just taking advantage of the local acts, Im sure when someone like a Buddy Guy comes to town they dont tell him to go out and pre sell 100 tickets. If your band has the capability of pre sellling more than 100 tickets they should allow you to do so and pocket the extra, they already have $1500 guarantee from your band so why not let you sell as many as you can within the capacity of the club, then you make more and the club gets more customers ordering drinks etc etc. To charge $22.50 a head beyond the 100 they made you sell seems to expose them as the real greed heads they are. I hope you pack the place
 
#151
I don't get all the hate on this. I think there's a time and place for P2P and this sounds like a decent one. What I really hate are the smaller, no-name clubs that think they can do this too, and only do it because it's easier to put all the risk on the band than to work to make a good club.

That, and it also makes for a scene filled with lesser quality bands that have the money/drive to do it. As long as the club has something to offer (HOB having a good name, actual exposure, etc) and they do at least a little work to ensure the bands are actually good, then I think as long as the band knows what they're getting into then there's no reason for all the hate. Granted I just threw in a bunch of variables there.

In short, have a great gig!
 
#153
personally I wont ever P2P, I dont care whose on the bill, Its a matter of principle and it sets a bad presidence for other venues to follow which has obviously already happened in your area, but have a great gig anyway
 
#155
nojj said:
It's a touchy, volatile subject.
Posters have ...err...firm opinions about it.
Much like some other subjects, like non-Pbass playing mixed cab users:D
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Yeah, im a non-pbass playing mixed cab user myself. I wake up with shame and have to leave the house wearing a disguise.
:D
 
#156
It's great that you sold all of the tickets, but you committed to it with the possibility of paying money out of pocket. I definitely know how good it feels to sell all of the tickets you're given by the promoter, so congratulations.
 
#158
Agreed - unless HOB is going to saturate the market with radio, tv & Internet advertising promoting YOUR name (even if its with others) there is NO take away for the band

Your act will be forgotten before the last note decays except for your followers
If there are more than 2 bands that night it's a waste unless you're just dying to get up on a large stage

At $22 or even $15 most young folks can't cut it very often

Venues need to stand on their own - this crap is for losers

Purely economically you'd be way better off with 3 or 4 local bars where you either share a $5 door with the owner or get paid straight up (as it should be)

You'd BUILD a bigger following, fill the joints & fans could see you 3 times for the $15
 
#160
grinx said:
HOBSD has a 1000 seat capacity.

you and the other 2 bands guarantee 300 seats filled. headliner doesn't have to bring in ONE person.
Click to expand...

Not so sure about that last bit but let's see here........$15x300 from openers= $4500..... the remaining 700 seats are going for between $20 and $37.50 a pop.....so the average ticket is $28.75.....carry the one....if they sell out that's another 20 grand-ish.......probably another 20 grand at the bar....hmmm.....if things go well that night the venue will bring in about $45,000.

I don't know what their overhead is, but I'll bet it's less than $45,000 a night.
Sucks to be HOB!
 
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