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What do you typically get paid per gig?
- Thread starter Axtman
- Start date
$0.0
We are a band of university professors who play mostly in academic events with limited budgets - and even if there was a budget, it would be too much hassle for us to charge money due to tax issues and such.
However... we have been able to use small budget remnants from research projects to acquire some gear for the band and the university authorities make no fuss about it, so we consider it as some kind of payment in specie.
We usually get free drinks and food as well.
We are a band of university professors who play mostly in academic events with limited budgets - and even if there was a budget, it would be too much hassle for us to charge money due to tax issues and such.
However... we have been able to use small budget remnants from research projects to acquire some gear for the band and the university authorities make no fuss about it, so we consider it as some kind of payment in specie.
We usually get free drinks and food as well.
depends on gig. 25-1200. wedding gigs rule for pay! packed bars with a door deal ain't bad either
Bars average $125 per, less tips, $400 per for larger dance halls and private parties around $500.
really? in Texas? I have friends in Austin and Dallas and they are pushed to get $100/man
per MAN? that's amazing. that's wedding pay, unless maybe you're playing with a headliner.
What is this "paid" you speak of 
As an originals band we've been handed anywhere between $12-1,200, but most gigs end up being on the bottom quarter end of that range, and that's before dividing by 5 members.
We're certainly not in it for the money (good thing!), and it all just goes into the band fund towards recording and merch anyway.
Edit: Almost forgot the 2 bottom shelf drink tickets each
Although one cheap venue gives each 'act' 4 total (try dividing that by 5 members) *SMH* 
As an originals band we've been handed anywhere between $12-1,200, but most gigs end up being on the bottom quarter end of that range, and that's before dividing by 5 members.
We're certainly not in it for the money (good thing!), and it all just goes into the band fund towards recording and merch anyway.
Edit: Almost forgot the 2 bottom shelf drink tickets each
Although one cheap venue gives each 'act' 4 total (try dividing that by 5 members) *SMH*
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$100-250 typically. The guys I work with typically won't call me if there isn't $100 on the gig. Still do charity stuff here and there (one of my BLs is an Elk, do some charity here and there for them, pays off because they'll hire us for bigger events that pay well and they always take care of us)
But I won't step foot into a bar gig for less than $100
But I won't step foot into a bar gig for less than $100
In the last year? Lowest was $80 (not in that band any more) per person. Highest was $300 per person. Average with tips is about $100 - $150 per night.
Considering I spend more time reading TB forums than practicing, I'm surprised I get paid at all.
Considering I spend more time reading TB forums than practicing, I'm surprised I get paid at all.
I've gigged in 2 5-person bands. So far the spread has been $0-100 (more typically in the $60-80 range). Mostly small clubs, but a few outdoor things and subbing at a private party tomorrow. Most of the bars tend to pay $300-$400 for the 3 set evening.
My brother-in-law that was once a professional musician used to say, "I play for free. You pay me to schlep my gear."
South Texas. Austin and Dallas are saturated with bands, down this way, not so much. Also, we probably only do a private party once every couple months but when we do the folks staging it clearly have the money to spend on a small portion of their shindig.
I've subbed for bar bands for ~$150. Done a few weddings/corporate gigs where I got $300 plus. Played in a church band for free for a bit. With 2 young kids and a stressful day job, lately it's just been open jam blues night at a local bar about once a month. I'm actually happy with that situation at the moment. I like to play out, but the time commitment/getting home at 3am aspect of a real working band would not work for me at the moment. Since my day job(and my wife's) both pay 6 figures, the pay doesn't matter to me, although on principal I wouldn't do a bar gig for free. Someone else mentioned playing at a farmers market, that sounds fun if it were low pressure with the right folks.
