Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 If something happened where you couldn't get paid for gigs, would you carry on playing for nothing, just for the sheer enjoyment? When I was young I definitely would, but I'm not sure now. I know a lot of bands do play for no fee anyway. Any thoughts? Quote
bubinga5 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 i would def play for free... i always have done.. depending on the music though.. Quote
lettsguitars Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) bloody hell! you get paid? i think you'll find you're outnumbered. so basically, yes i would, do, and have done for a long long time. Edited February 21, 2011 by lettsguitars Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Originals bands yes, Functions/Covers no. Quote
crez5150 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136098' date='Feb 21 2011, 07:58 PM']If something happened where you couldn't get paid for gigs, would you carry on playing for nothing, just for the sheer enjoyment? When I was young I definitely would, but I'm not sure now. I know a lot of bands do play for no fee anyway. Any thoughts?[/quote] Only if it was a bunch of mates at the local... having beers and a laugh..... wouldn't do a club or function for free... too many bands out there doing that already Quote
Sibob Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 There's WAY too many variables: Covers/Originals? Effort involved in getting to gig/making it happen Enjoy playing with the other musicians? Financial situation in the rest of your life? I spent a lot of years touring for nothing (money was put back into the band) because I loved the music and the players, lots of effort and sacrifice! Would I play a covers gig for free......probably not, unless it was turn up, with musicians I truely love playing with....simply because there's more goes into making those gigs successful than just playing the gig, usually at an expense that is recouped through payment. If I was a multi-millionaire who never needed to earn a penny again.....I'd do it all for free...art (and all resources) should be free! But my views on our currency based monetary system messing up the human race is for another thread Si Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 So would you simply retire to your bedroom? Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Sibob' post='1136107' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:01 PM']There's WAY too many varaibles: Covers/Originals? Effort involved in getting to gig/making it happen Enjoy playing with the other musicians? Financial situation in the rest of your life? Si[/quote] Let's just say the government decided it was illegal for musicians to get paid for gigs. Quote
farmer61 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136108' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:02 PM']So would you simply retire to your bedroom?[/quote] Yes just not as much, perhaps once a month, don't see the difference to playing amateur sport tbh. Quote
wateroftyne Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 TBH, I take every gig on its' merits. Occasionally I'll be asked to do something for nowt... if it's going to be fun, then I'll do it. If it's going to be for nowt because someone else is going to make a pocketful of cash, then I'll probably say no. Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 I'm basically asking whether the need to play live overrrides the need for money. Do we enjoy playing enough to disregard the pay? Quote
crez5150 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136110' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:03 PM']Let's just say the government decided it was illegal for musicians to get paid for gigs.[/quote] Thats quite a different scenario though....... Quote
EssentialTension Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136110' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:03 PM']Let's just say the government decided it was illegal for musicians to get paid for gigs.[/quote] So, at last, music becomes a revolutionary act. Quote
citymariner Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 My band tend to at least want our petrol covered. We are playing a beer festival and due to the number of bands it is £20 each. This won't cover the petrol but due to it being a large crowd and there is free beer thrown in it'll make it a good laugh especially as we are staying over. Quote
EssentialTension Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='1136120' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:05 PM']Do we enjoy playing enough to disregard the pay?[/quote] Not if someone else is making money out of my playing. Quote
Doctor J Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) We play originals. If we ever broke even I'd do a little happy dance. We're clearly not doing it for the money As for covers, no money = no band. I never found playing someone else's tunes quite as enjoyable, would need something to replace the buzz of living or dying on the strength of your own songs. Edited February 21, 2011 by Doctor J Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='1136124' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:07 PM']So, at last, music becomes a revolutionary act.[/quote] Purely hypothetical. Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 I think it's a question of how much do you actually love playing live. Would you sacrifice that money? Quote
crez5150 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='1136124' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:07 PM']So, at last, music becomes a revolutionary act.[/quote] I bet there would be some truly inspiring music out of that scenario......... Quote
casapete Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='1136119' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:05 PM']TBH, I take every gig on its' merits. Occasionally I'll be asked to do something for nowt... if it's going to be fun, then I'll do it. If it's going to be for nowt because someone else is going to make a pocketful of cash, then I'll probably say no.[/quote] Absolutely +1 Quote
Pete Academy Posted February 21, 2011 Author Posted February 21, 2011 [quote name='crez5150' post='1136135' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:10 PM']I bet there would be some truly inspiring music out of that scenario.........[/quote] Definitely. Quote
ThomBassmonkey Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 The music I enjoy, yes, I'd play for free (assuming it was local, if I had to travel I'd want expenses). I would (and have) also play for free if it's a small gig that's likely to lead onto a bigger gig or festival (if they have a reputation for following through at least). Quote
chrismuzz Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 All the money my band makes from gigs goes straight back into the band, I pay for the petrol to drive myself and my gear there. I just enjoy playing, and I'm extremely lucky that my job allows me to be able to afford to do this Quote
LiamPodmore Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 Yes, i would, have been for a year now, i'm not 100% happy with it, but i love gigging, so its all good. Liam Quote
crez5150 Posted February 21, 2011 Posted February 21, 2011 It's a good question...... hard to answer Quote
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