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Why are local musicians turning down this gig?
- Thread starter esa372
- Start date
The PA might make it worth it if it was no more than a 3 piece band and the parking was premium. Otherwise, adding up the rehearsal times it probably isn't. Who knows...the event organizer might be a flaming nut-bag that pays in gift cards.
I'm sorry, but I've been asked not to mention the locale on a public forum, since it's a neighborhood thing.
Nope - I've known him for many years, and - as for these parties - he pays off in cash, as soon as we stop playing.
Thanks for the replies, everyone... all the different perspectives are giving me some insight on this.
I have been looking since July.
This is exactly what I'm trying to do; what I've done for the last two years - myself, and 2 or 3 others. (The guitarist and drummer from the last two parties have moved away.)
What I mean by "city sanctioned" is that the city has agreed to allow the party, will block off the streets, and let the festivities (noise) to continue until 1:30am. The city is not providing the money for any aspect of this party; the neighborhood is providing all of it... cuz it's fun!
The PA is being rented by the neighborhood, and is more than enough for this gig. (I've played this gig for the last two Halloweens.)
I don't know... it just seems odd to me that you can say to a (local) musician, "Hey! There's an outdoor Halloween party on Saturday night; there will be food, drinks, costumes... we can play ALL of our original music, throw in some fun covers... there will be about 300 costumed party-goers there... and, we get paid at least $500", and they will come back with "No".
But, thanks, TB, for showing all these different perspectives.
I think I'm still missing something. You're putting together a band for this gig, right? When you say we can play ALL of our originals, whose originals and what do they have in common with whomever you're trying to get to do the gig? Will time be spent learning all of the originals?
Are you playing until 1:30am?
All things considered, it still doesn't seem odd to me. I had a guy trying to start a band get upset with me because I bowed out when he decided he needed at least four rehearsals, on the opposite side of the metro area, for a $100/each gig. He honestly couldn't see what the big deal was.
Of course I'm not saying you're that bad. Empathy is a handy thing. Put yourself on the other side of this. Would you leap at the chance to do a gig on a major party holiday, doing someone else's originals, three to four sets, possibly ending at 1:30am, for the money you're talking about. And include any time/expenses you'd have to expend on this in making the decision because that's what a savvy musician would do. If it still seems like a no-brainer, cool.
Some people do like to hang out, drink and play and that might be incentive enough for them. As a rule those haven't turned out to be the better, more reliable musicians I know.
The only way I could see doing a gig like this is because I'm helping a friend out. I've done that several times. But it has to be a pretty good friend.
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The musicians will have to be prepared to play the originals along with the covers. Whatever it takes to get to that point. IME IO it does matter... unless these are popular originals they already know. For covers around here I can usually come in with little to no prep so that doesn't cut into my profit. Either this gig will have mostly covers or there are going to be a lot of originals to learn for three to four long sets.
I've played a ton of these kind of gigs. They always end up taking all day, $200 per man for a good band that can entertain people thru 4 sets. Holiday weekend, it will be another $100-$150 min. They should think about hiring two bands for the same amount of money. Breaks up the day nicely for the crowd. and nobody has to be there for 7 hours.
- Apr 1, 2000
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That's a $1500-2000 gig, minimum. And that doesn't consider LA traffic hassles. I'd take a pass on it.
When I mentioned that quote, I was referring to musicians with whom I generally play; people that I know well. We have sets already worked out, so it would be their originals.
As for time spent learning songs, since I've been turned down left-and-right, it would now (with new people) be necessary. But, the fact that I can't find musicians who want to play probably means no gig at all... we'll have to hire a DJ.
(That just sounds so strange to me: "I can't find musicians who want to play.")
No, about 11:30... canned music after that.
As brokerage firms say, past performance is not an indication of future results.
oh yeah,all good parties have a heavy police attendance
The promoter is expecting people to come out for less than what most dive bars pay? I'm in oc, just did a labor day block party for $2500 and that was 3 hours in the afternoon as a 4 piece. Pony up or hire a dj imo.
Another vote for pay being too low! Especially for LA area.
$500 is should be standard fare for a quality bar coverband. This sort of holiday gig is much more comparable to a wedding.
$500 is should be standard fare for a quality bar coverband. This sort of holiday gig is much more comparable to a wedding.
Don't know if it's already been addressed, but you're in Saginaw, the ad is in LA. $500 for a gig like that in LA isn't enough, sadly.
I guess I'll jump on and say $500 is not enough for a "pro" band to take a gig like that. My band full of 9-5ers playing for fun and beer money usually gets about a for any big outdoor events like what you described.
