What's up with bands playing for free?
Not to be confused with bands playing at benefit gigs, which I am OK with. And I'm not talking about open mic or jam nights. But what is getting under my skin at the moment is some new start-up bands that are playing weekend and holiday gigs for free. For example, one band I know got a good gig on St. Patricks Day at the local Irish Pub. Packed house. Biggest night of the year for the pub. Other than being a bit envious of them landing the gig, I was wondering how they got the gig when, IMHO, I know other bands locally that are better and would have liked to have been booked for that night. I was wondering how they got the gig when I knew some other better, more established bands, would have taken the mid-week gig.
Well, I know a couple of the guys in the band and a few weeks later I was talking to their lead singer. Turns out they played the St. Patricks Day gig at the Irish Pub for free. They were all happy that they got some free beer for playing! It sure hurt me as a gigging musician to know that these guys took one of the biggest nights of the year for that venue and played the gig for free when other local bands would have liked to pick up that night as a paying gig.
I really did not know what to say. I honestly feel that having a bunch of local bands in the area is a good thing, because it keeps the local music scene healthy. But bands that are willing to play for free not only burn themselves out, but they also in the process run out legit bands that need paying gigs. I've seen too many talented musicians hang it up because it's just too hard to make gigging worthwhile. When you have to compete against bands that play the big nights for free, that's just tough.
Well, that's been on mind for a few weeks. I'd like to hear how you guys feel about this topic.
Well, I know a couple of the guys in the band and a few weeks later I was talking to their lead singer. Turns out they played the St. Patricks Day gig at the Irish Pub for free. They were all happy that they got some free beer for playing! It sure hurt me as a gigging musician to know that these guys took one of the biggest nights of the year for that venue and played the gig for free when other local bands would have liked to pick up that night as a paying gig.
I really did not know what to say. I honestly feel that having a bunch of local bands in the area is a good thing, because it keeps the local music scene healthy. But bands that are willing to play for free not only burn themselves out, but they also in the process run out legit bands that need paying gigs. I've seen too many talented musicians hang it up because it's just too hard to make gigging worthwhile. When you have to compete against bands that play the big nights for free, that's just tough.
Well, that's been on mind for a few weeks. I'd like to hear how you guys feel about this topic.
Comments
Curious.. Did they get a paid repeat booking at that establishment?
I know back in the day when we had a bar/club .. I would have gladly given a case of brew away for a \"Decent\" band.. I know I surely paid for a few less than steller bands! :shock:
I know alot like to blame them evil bar/club owners.. To which alot or some of whos practices are less than fair or moral :roll: Which said practices I didn't engage in .. Finally reached a point when I didn't have to search for bands.. They were commin', knocking at my door!
Considering that in my state.. A bar/club whatever you want to callem' has to pay a fee.. OOps I mean get a permit if they have a dance floor, for evey tv, if they have a stage, play the radio, have a juke box, serve food etc the list goes on on.. :roll: To all of which always made me wonder now an then, why the local chapter of the musicians union didn't come in to ensure the you were hiring union members.. Not that I was or going to raise the issue .. But it did make me wonder, considering that you had to pay a fee for everything else that one was supposedly making money from/off. Perhaps with the tightening belt of venues to play at these days, may not be a bad idea these days.. just a thought..
Friends or not the blame sure falls on them 'fellow' musicians .. not them evil club owners .. who in any business would not want to cut overhead at any given time?
But MPO is that if they are a newly formed band they should try to get a pig roast or party, even if they make it themselves to get a lil stage experience. Then put a promo package together and start looking for bookings the traditional way!... As you have stated Taus, to many have worked their butts off to establish themselves, just to sit on the sidelines on event days that bring people out..
It's the musicians, playing for free to get \"Exposure\", which is total B.S. The whole \"Exposure\" thing is a ploy to get you to pay for free. I've even seen this insanity taken to the level that the band PAYS the club owner or PROMOTER to perform at his venue for the \"Exposure\".
My son got involved with a band, playing various teen joints for \"Exposure\". Didn't take him long of driving across town, hauling gear, setting up, tearing down, and driving back for FREE to come to his senses. Now they just rent local halls, put up ads and keep the door. And they're bringing in the do, re ,mi.
When I was pro my favorite saying was when somebody asked my what kind of stuff I play..
\"Anything for a quarter\"..
If you're going to get out there and play music for other peoples profit and enjoyment, not yours, make damn sure you get paid for it.
I play jazz exclusively now, so I don't have to worry about many gigs..LOL..
But the occasional ones I do play, I make damn sure I get paid, or the fingers don't move..
Other venues have \"pay-to-play\" arrangements where you're required to purchase a certain number of tickets. If you sell those tickets at cost or higher, you make money.
I don't think it's the musicians' fault, though. A venue will always be able to find some start-up hobbyist band to play for free, just for the sake of playing in front of people. If you as a venue cannot afford to book a quality act, then you shouldn't host live music. Otherwise you're hurting the musicians who are actually worth the money, and your patrons who get to listen to crap.
No.
I did not put the blame on the owners. But I'm sure they knew they were screwing the band. I think the responsibility falls on the band, due to lack of experience or whatever.
Years ago there used to be a local musicians union. That was before my day. The union musicians 15 years ago got paid twice as much as current gig rates. Having said that, these venues had probably 3X the patrons 15 years ago and I know most establishments are paying the bills only month to month. Over half of the venues have gone under in the past couple of years. Bad economy, smoking ban, cops outside the venue stopping patrons as they leave the parking lot, lots of other forms of entertainment to go to today that did not exist 15 years ago, etc.... I know it's tough out there.
Everyone is scratching for the limited money. I understand that. As a musician, I just feel bad that so many talented people have decided to hang it up instead of hanging in there. You really have to love playing music to put the time in the practice, set up/take down, travel time, gear upgrades and upkeep, etc... because the gigging money is not going to make you rich.
Years ago when my band was first starting up, we were \"scheduled\" to \"audition\" for the manager on a weeknight at this Irish Pub in hopes of getting a paid gig for some weekend. We showed up, the manager was not there. We did a 45 minute set expecting the manager to show, but he never did. Left a bad taste in our mouth as we felt we had only been used to provide some free entertainment for the patrons mid-week.
That was both the first and the last time we ever \"auditioned\" for a paying gig. We never went back there after that experience. And we really did not have to look at them for paying gigs. We ended up playing 48 weekends out of 52 weeks that year. Since then, they have new management but it appears that the new boss is the same as the old boss.
BTW, our current drummer was in a band that was playing there at the Irish Pub on Wednesday nights for about 2 hours. They got paid 2 beers and a sandwhich. I asked him what in the world they were thinking? Not only does it cheapen his other band, but it also hurts other local working bands when his band is willing to give away their services. It was really a bad deal for his former band as some members resented playing for \"free\" and eventually their band broke up over those type of issues. Too bad, they were a good band, but playing for free drives a stake through the heart of the band because you just don't have the money to keep everything going and pay the band expenses.
That's what I like to hear. Good for your son and his band.
I also agree with your other comments.
The smoking ban has really hurt the old loyal patrons at these venues, but as time goes on, we are starting to see a younger crowd that smokes less and/or does not mind stepping outside to smoke. So I'm hoping that patronage will start to increase over time.
I'm all for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and their goals. I really do think that the highway patrol needs to be on the job and keeping the roads safe for everyone. During our gigs, we always remind the patrons to drive safely, get a designated driver, or call a cab. We want everyone to have a good time, but we also want them to get home safely and come out another night.
What I don't like, is when the highway patrol hound a venue and pull just about everyone over just trying to get a DUI ticket written. We played one venue that the local highway cops were really cracking down on. My mother, who drinks only Pepsi straight, was pulled over after leaving our gig, for no reason other than she left that venue. Same thing happened to my bandmates parents who were there and had a late supper and stayed to hear the band. They maybe nursed a single beer all night. There was no reason for the highway patrol to pull over the car other than then they had left our gig.
There have been a few local establishments that have been run out of business because of overly agressive law enforcement - or harrassment. Keep the roads safe, yes, but don't harrasse patrons. I suppose it's a thin line. Anyway, some local establishments have actually sued over this issue. I'm not a drinker. I just like to show up and play guitar for the night. Can't we all just get along?
Cover bands starting out are often taken advantage of or are easily low balled by a club mgr/owner.
Like you said, with all the closures of venues due to lack of revenue following the smoking bans (mainly imo), the pickins are thinning out. Those bands that played the simple 100 person club for free before now are impeding on more experienced groups and the venues they play.
Our band was scheduled for 8 gigs at one venue this year and with the rise of play for free bands, they dropped that to 4. We find ourselves having to play in wider traveling zones, which is not going to guarantee our immediate following. Most of those clubs have enough walk-in patronage they just want the good bands so not to scare away their customers.
If its any consolation to you, one of the bands that took our spot playing for free were terrible and the mgr from the venue said \"never again\"
You still have to be competitive regardless. Venues want you to say I'll being them in and we'll keep them here with our form of entertainment. The venue owners will try something new from time to time too. I can't blame them. They've taken a beating on revenue with all the stupid rules and bans they must adhere.
I just ran sound for a band last week. The evening was warm and 90% of patrons were outdoors. For the weather and for the fact they can light up out there. They would put a stage outdoors, but the city said they would not be able to play past 10 pm. That's when the band starts! Stupidity !!
Not that, that will stop a 'hobby' band from playing free .. but it may stop the bleeding of bar/club closings
I really have to wonder about these elected reps. Maybe they are have something wrong with them or are so burnt out from so many years in office that they have no clue what the real people are doing.
The smarter venues have figured a way to add smoking rooms outside that still allow them to be part of the event. But in northern Minnesota, that still only works for part of the year.
We had one club go out of business this past year that might reopen this summer under a new name and management. Rumor has it they will have the bands setting up outside under a tent/roof. Don't know if there is a problem with noise ordinance or not. They are downtown in a commercial district. I've only done one outdoor event in the past 3 years. Even though the day was warm and pleasant, here in northern Minnesota, the night can get cool in a hurry. By the time we finished playing at 1 am, it felt like we had just taken a shower. But at that event we did not have a cover over our heads, so maybe a tent/roof would make a big difference.
For instance, at one point there were nearly 75 venues with 400+ cpy, plus many small 150 cpy type clubs. Now there is maybe 15 major venues, and about 40 small clubs within 75 mi radius. That includes the downtown, suburban, and lakefront venues.
Other prime locations \"the flats\" were completely closed down. It was rezoned for (who knows what) but in the last 5 years or so since it closed, NOTHING is there. Prime river front property sits vacant. We got hit really hard and then the final dagger was the smoking ban. Most common tourist type restaurants and other venues said \"the heck with this place\" and left.
We had the smoking ban go into effect about 3 years ago and it's impact was immediate on reduced patronage. Over half the venues in my area have gone under. About the only ones left open are those where the mortgage is already paid off. Many of the long time musicians say current patronage is less than half what it was 15 years ago.
But, like in your statement, the smoking ban was just one dagger - out of many - that have impacted the local club scene. My town is really growing with lots of other types of night time entertainment to chose from. We used to have one movie theater in town, now we have an 8-plex. There used to just a small handful of restaurants in the area, and half of them turned into clubs for live music after 9 pm. Now there are at least a dozen restaurants in town, most of them natioanl chain restaurants, and none of them support live bands.
The only thing we have less of is the bars and clubs where people used to go to drink, smoke, and listen to live bands. Most of the musicians around here can name off more clubs that have gone under than are currently operating - even under a new name. All our big clubs, 150+ venues, are gone. It's only the smaller, less overhead expense clubs, that are still alive in my area.
And it really hard to see where the live music scene will go in a few years. Although the smoking ban hurt club patronage, the patrons who do still come out to see the bands don't want to go back to the smoke filled rooms - even if they are smokers themselves. The only club that packs in young kids is a DJ euro-beat disco bar. And it's not clear if they pack the place because of the DJ disco beats or if the venue is just currently the \"in\" place for the young college crowd. At any rate, the people that come to see my live band are not into the euro-beat disco music. We have the best luck with classic rock. It's either that or make yourself a country band and play at country bars.