Why are local musicians turning down this gig?

[Blueinred]

Yeah, most of the "tips" will probably consist of the Halloween candy that nobody wanted...candy corn, circus peanuts, licorice whips, necco wafers.....blech!

Dude, Necco wafers are the bomb. I want some NOW!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

For me its the cold. Outdoors performing for four hours when it might be forty degrees out? (Thats farenheit, but 40 celsius might be worse.)
We play all covers in my high paying band. That band gets $600 / night -- 5 person band plus soundman.

Course I haven't noticed the op's location. . . ? Maybe it's warm there.

Los angeles? 40 lol

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Agreed. Probably not a good place for this kind of debate, but bands here in the states place little or no value whatsoever on their craft. They are so desperate to play under lights in front of a crowd that they give their product away.

OP, I'm sure you'll find somebody for the gig.

To be honest, I'd *rather* play somewhere for free than take chump change from a bar owner. At least coffee houses usually give you some drinks / bite to eat for free.

 

[T_E]

Not enough dough.

 

[cnltb]

Halloween Outdoor Block Party (city-sanctioned; police dept will block off the street)
Saturday, October 31
Three to four 50-minute sets (mix of originals and covers) beginning at ~7:30
PA provided
Free food and drinks
Band will receive $500, plus tips

It seems astonishing to me, but I can't find local musicians to play this gig.

I'm just curious; What does the TB community think?

Pay is low?
What's the neighbourhood like?

 

[StereoPlayer]

And that is a problem; too many folks willing to play for peanuts. Sad.

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 DID say that about CA in an earlier post.

 

[Slevage]

Halloween Outdoor Block Party (city-sanctioned; police dept will block off the street)
Saturday, October 31
Three to four 50-minute sets (mix of originals and covers) beginning at ~7:30
PA provided
Free food and drinks
Band will receive $500, plus tips

It seems astonishing to me, but I can't find local musicians to play this gig.

I'm just curious; What does the TB community think?

Not enough $$$$$$$$ for that type of gig--- even for 3pc band.

 

[SteveHeissner]

There are some really bad bands that are willing to play for free. I can't imagine one of them wouldn't jump at the chance.

 

[Nev375]

Around here a band is lucky to make $20 to 30 per person for a night. $100 is the typical offer from a bar. $50 if you are a 1 man singer songwriter or duo. But this is a long way from LA

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'm still a little confused. Are you looking for a band or for musicians that you will play with?

 

[fdeck]

It looks like the simple answer is that there are bands that...

1. Won't play it for $500
2. Can't play it, even for $500

As I mentioned, this is a surprise to me, but an interesting lesson to be learned about the LA music scene.

 

[MegaSwing]

And that is a problem; too many folks willing to play for peanuts. Sad.

And there is ALWAYS some fool out there who will work longer hours for less money. Unfortunately, that's just how it is.

Some gigs you do mostly for the adventure. Others for the marketing opportunities. But there must be a limit to how low one should go, lest you end up branded as less than top-drawer.

 

[RustyAxe]

If they're already in a band they probably have more lucrative gigs. Halloween is a big party night, even moreso this year as it falls on Saturday.

 

[MegaSwing]

In my sphere, for that event, as an outsider not connected to the community, that $ is about right for one set and possibly one rehearsal. Anything beyond that qualifies it as a labor of love.

And it would have to be pretty close by.

 

[strictlybass_ic]

I've got two bands that would be happy to play a gig like that. If you're ever setting up something in IN hit me up.

 

[the yeti]

And that is a problem; too many folks willing to play for peanuts. Sad.

ironic that "making it big" is the lure to give it away.

 

[the yeti]

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.

did you try advertising just for a guitarist? and just for a drummer? pay 'em 250 apiece, you keep the tips. maybe that'll help.

 

[MegaSwing]

did you try advertising just for a guitarist? and just for a drummer? pay 'em 200 apiece, you keep the tips. maybe that'll help.

THIS is creative thinking. A bandleader's primary objective is ALWAYS to get the band paid, not to give orders or set the agenda.

 

[carl h.]

THIS is creative thinking. A bandleader's primary objective is ALWAYS to get the band paid, not to give orders or set the agenda.

Half right - present a quality product - AND get paid for it.

 

[MegaSwing]

Half right - present a quality product - AND get paid for it.

Out of getting paid well a quality product will flow, because you'll always have good players. Never fails.