leemarseillebass Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) Hello everyone, This question is purely to ask for your take on what fee should be expected, I'm not prying or wanting an argument to follow. Basically, I moved to the NE and play bass in a 3 piece, the band performs well, PA, backdrop in place - nothing lacks. I joined 6 months ago or thereabouts, the charge no matter where we play is £210 which to me, is not good at all. I'm mid causing a little turmoil as I'm either in charge, playing the right places or I'm leaving and getting into a band that values itself, I'd prefer the former. Opinions please! Thank you, Lee Edited December 3, 2016 by leemarseillebass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 get them a gig for better money, then tell them that they ARE worth more than they thought they were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 If you do repeat venues you could inform them of price increase if your confident that it's still viable to those booking you. For one off functions just as in any business you need to be sure your fee is attractive What kind of gigs you doing ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='leemarseillebass' timestamp='1480728874' post='3186822'] Hello everyone, This question is purely to ask for your take on what fee should be expected, I'm not prying or wanting an argument to follow. Basically, I moved to the NE and play bass in a 3 piece, the band performs well, PA, backdrop in place - nothing lacks. I joined 6 months ago or thereabouts, the charge no matter where we play is £210 which to me, is not good at all. I'm mid causing a little turmoil as I'm either in charge, playing the right places or I'm leaving and getting into a band that values itself, I'd prefer the former. Opinions please! Thank you, Lee [/quote] Agreed Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Isn't the question not what the band is worth but what the venue is willing to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemarseillebass Posted December 3, 2016 Author Share Posted December 3, 2016 The gigs are covers, generally decent singalong beefy stuff and I've encouraged a more eclectic mix so we've more choice, and therefore opening new doors. Baby steps but confident baby steps. We're now about to do a promo vid to push us along - to me it'll be worth it so I guess we'll find out soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leemarseillebass Posted December 3, 2016 Author Share Posted December 3, 2016 As far as what someone is willing to pay, if it's 210 then the chances are I don't feel safe taking decent expensive gear in, so my thoughts have gone straight to we are playing the wrong place to start with. Management/agents are an answer but I'd sooner be self contained and use my own nouse. Watch this space I guess :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Two ten for a three piece, that's 70 a head, not bad. A lot of pubs etc pay a rate based on the number of people in the band, in my experience. My gig with the four piece tonight will only put 60 quid in my pocket, but it's still 60 quid more than not bothering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Regular gigs at £210 as oppose to occaisonal gigs at £350 might be something to consider. If most of the venues won`t cough higher than £210 then you severely limit your gigs if you won`t play for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 you'll get paid what the market will stand, if other bands are willing to play for that, then they'll get the gigs, assuming other things are equal, unless you drag a big crowd in you won't get as many gigs, the laws of supply and demand are everywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) 60% of the door plus expenses Edited December 3, 2016 by Twigman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 What is the going rate for the area... how do you stand against the better bands, do you pull in more punters? £70 per head isn't bad for a pub but what value do you add? How do you know £210 is your fixed fee and you get a equal split..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 £200 to £250 for pub gigs is the norm down here in the SW. I can't see that changing anytime soon. If you feel you deserve more or can command a higher fee then you will need to justify it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1480767284' post='3186981'] 60% of the door plus expenses [/quote]bloody hell we'd get f*** all, 95% of our gigs are free entry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 £70 a man is pretty decent down here and I can't help feeling its probably Ok in the North East as well. We're talking the Dog and Duck pub scene right? Believe me, if thats the going rate and you won't play for that kind of money then the landlords won't give a monkeys and get a 100 bands in who will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='mep' timestamp='1480768323' post='3186985'] £200 to £250 for pub gigs is the norm down here in the SW. I can't see that changing anytime soon. If you feel you deserve more or can command a higher fee then you will need to justify it. [/quote] what he said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1480768481' post='3186987'] bloody hell we'd get f*** all, 95% of our gigs are free entry [/quote] I wouldn't knock it. Some on Basschat would bite yer hand off to work for f*** All. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) [quote name='leemarseillebass' timestamp='1480764951' post='3186956'] As far as what someone is willing to pay, if it's 210 then the chances are I don't feel safe taking decent expensive gear in... [/quote] Surely that's an indication of the venue and the area, not the fee? On topic - our take is the normal £200-250 for a four piece . What we get paid has no impact on what gear we take including a pair of Gibson Les Paul Custom Shops '57 reissues for one of our guitarists. If that's the rate for the product in the area then that's the rate and I can't see that changing much for a generic covers band. Edited December 3, 2016 by DaytonaRik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieC Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Hi all, i'm in the North East and £200-£240 is the going rate for us too. Being a three-piece blues covers band that works out well so no complaints unless the gig is more than a 45 min drive. At that point the fuel costs start to make it less attractive. Someone posted that the fee level (and thus the venue 'quality ') would affect what gear they used. Well, i take what i own and don't have the luxury of being selective. Just have to keep an eye on everyone's gear. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1480769292' post='3186995'] Surely that's an indication of the venue and the area, not the fee? On topic - our take is the normal £200-250 for a four piece . What we get paid has no impact on what gear we take including a pair of Gibson Les Paul Custom Shops '57 reissues for one of our guitarists. If that's the rate for the product in the area then that's the rate and I can't see that changing much for a generic covers band. [/quote] That's my thought as well. The bar won't care whether my gear is cheap or expensive, only that it works. I bring what I bring because I like using it, and if I don't feel safe n a ny given venue... I just don't play there. I don't play warzones As for the fee... £210 is not much, but if it's reasonably local (meaning easy/short transport time) and that means £70 each, that's not too bad. I'd like to get a regular local £70 a head for our 8-piece originals band Bars that get bands playing covers often have a flattish fee. They rarely care whether it's band A or band B playing, so if you don't play, another band will. If you've got a better gig, take it, but meanwhile it doesn't sound like such a bad deal. To be paid more you'll have to show the bar it's worth their cash, usually by being a band people go to see especifically resulting in a higher drinks sales. Only a small proportion of covers bands achieve that. Originals bands may have the unique selling point of doing what they do and nobody else does it... but usually not enough people care enough for venues to pay a huge amount more, and in fact it can get harder to get gigs at first. It's tough out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Obviously there are certain venues that we know are likely to be rough and you have to decide how to deal with those but I've had more trouble with drunken or coked up idiots at fancy weddings than I have had problems with the average tickled trout punter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 OP - assuming we're talking pubs, £210 for a trio is about par for the course. If you want more, stick in, get established, and ask for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 (edited) Join a wedding band. Bar bands get paid crap money. Edit: of course it depends on where you live. I played a gig in Camden recently (in a bar/restaurant) and our 4 piece were paid £500. Unfortunately I usually gig in Edinburgh, where my band is lucky if we get paid half of that. Edited December 3, 2016 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 70 quid a pop isn't too bad if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 [quote name='leemarseillebass' timestamp='1480764951' post='3186956'] As far as what someone is willing to pay, if it's 210 then the chances are I don't feel safe taking decent expensive gear in ... [/quote] Don't understand this at all. I've never had any gear (of any value) damaged by the venue or by a punter, just whatever damage I've managed to inflict all by myself. If the value of your gear really is an issue, then the obvious solution is to take cheaper gear. I play a Mike Lull T5, but I also own a Tokai Thunderbird which cost me roughly 1/20th of what I paid for the Lull. I doubt if there's a single punter who would spot the difference. Hell, I sometimes wonder if even my own bandmates notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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