Play the first gig at a new club for less than your normal rate for the chance of future gigs?

[2HBStrat]

Our band leader got a call from the leader of another local band. They had a couple of gigs booked in a club in a nearby town and one of their members can't play them and he wanted to know if we could and if we wanted them. We were already booked for one of the nights but could take the other one. So, since we've never played at this venue the owner only offered us ~60% of our normal rate for the first gig with the idea that if we do well he would book us for more gigs at ~80% of our normal rate. The gig is from 7-10 but if the crowd is good "they would like to keep us going a little bit longer to 11 o'clock." Everyone in the band is on board. I'm really not. I think it is, in general, bad form to play cheap. You become that band that plays cheap, and I don't think you ever get the respect you should get and never really get paid what you should get paid. I didn't say this to the band and we booked the gig. Now the band leader has asked us to contact people to get a crowd. WOW! Playing cheap PLUS we have to provide the crowd?!? I'm not feeling good about this at all.

Thoughts?

 

[schmee]

Sounds like a no to me. Once the owner is 'going there with that offer' you know it's not gonna be a good thing. I'm not against maybe 80% first time in to a great venue, haven't been there in many years though. Really though, my experience is that if it's a good gig, the owner isn't doing that kind of crap.

But it ain't about percentages... it's about how much $ it really is!
90% of $300 ain't enough! 60% of a thousand is!

 

[Esquire Jones]

Sounds like you’re not feeling good about it.

That’s the answer.

 

[2HBStrat]

Sounds like you’re not feeling good about it.

That’s the answer.

Yeah, I'm not feeling good about it.

Sounds like a no to me. Once the owner is 'going there with that offer' you know it's not gonna be a good thing. I'm not against maybe 80% first time in to a great venue, haven't been there in many years though. Really though, my experience is that if it's a good gig, the owner isn't doing that kind of crap.

But it ain't about percentages... it's about how much $ it really is!
90% of $300 ain't enough! 60% of a thousand is!

Our normal rate is $600 for most venues. Our first time at this venue is for $350 and IF WE DO WELL he will book us back for $500. The band leader turned down a gig right here in town because they wouldn't pay the $600 but is willing to play in another town for $350. I don't understand the logic.

 

[schmee]

Yeah, I'm not feeling good about it.

Our normal rate is $600 for most venues. Our first time at this venue is for $350 and IF WE DO WELL he will book us back for $500. The band leader turned down a gig right here in town because they wouldn't pay the $600 but is willing to play in another town for $350. I don't understand the logic.

A tip jar at the right venue can help a lot. Last saturday we got $270 in the tip jar!

 

[dannyh]

I think it is, in general, bad form to play cheap. You become that band that plays cheap, and I don't think you ever get the respect you should get and never really get paid what you should get paid.

This ^^^

It would be a hard no from me if it were my decision. Best of luck.

 

[2HBStrat]

This ^^^

It would be a hard no from me if it were my decision. Best of luck.

Thanks. The other three members of the band are all in for doing it, so we're doing it. Only thing now is to hope for the best, I suppose.

 

[RCinMempho]

First gig discount is one thing. Offering you future gigs at less than your rate is a bit insulting. Offering you a guaranteed regular gig for a discount price??? Maybe.

 

[tweeet]

I used to say 'I'll do your first gig for £140....two hours set...then if you book me again it's the full rate of £180'...that's a solo gig. So the pubs get a £40 knock off. To drop $250 sounds a lot to me....I mean I wouldn't do one for £100 !! Is it local ? If not how far do you have to drive?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . Our normal rate is $600 for most venues. Our first time at this venue is for $350 and IF WE DO WELL he will book us back for $500. . .

I wouldn't worry about getting the $350. It's essentially a paid audition.

But since your standard rate is $600, and you get it elsewhere, I would worry about the $500.

If it were a fundraiser for a cause or organization you all care about, it would fine to play for less or for food and travel or even for free. But that's not what's happening here. The venue is a business.

 

[DavidP]

I'd bite the 1st time pay cut to get on stage and show your stuff, but not future discounts.

 

[Buell]

Did you negotiate free drinks? Lots of them?

 

[SRHmusic]

Some thoughts-
Less money means they should get less. Offer to play for only two hours if it's a cut rate?
But it's really not a good sign. I'd be up front about it being not a good sign.
It's also a negotiation. Ask for two more gigs at full rate if it goes well.
Is there free beer at least?
A venue wanting bands that bring in a drinking crowd of followers is pretty standard.

Sounds like you're not the one making the call, though. Let us know how it works out?

Edit- One more thought. Can the owner come see you at a different venue first? (That's worked out well for our band.)
Edit 2- A good venue will also help promote the shows, e.g. on their FB and Instagram pages.

 

[Dostradamas]

Full price for a make up gig would be my headspace.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

That 'temptation' or hope has never panned out for me/us; turns out to be BS.


Not to say I don't mind playing cheaper venue- but its because I like them or playing there.
But I guess my attitude is venues pay what they pay, and the band takes it or leaves it, and moves on.

Sidebar: this IMO, is a big plus of being in a good duo. Venue pays out less $$ than a band, AND the 2 musicians can make much more $$, that their cut from a 4-5 piece band.
( good thing about playing brewpubs/Wineries, cafes, vs. Bars - earlier hours too!- good 'aging musician' gigs!)

 

[Killing Floor]

I wonder if you can respond that you play until 10 and then if the place is rocking and they want more time, another set, they can pay for that extra?

I’m not opposed to negotiating, that’s not the same as taking a cut. But it’s your call and we don’t know the venue or the value of the next gig. I don’t like that the high side for next time is below your rate, that sounds like it’s not a place you should play in the first place.

 

[ReverendRevolver]

After the second gig, they should pay full rate if they plan on you not packing up after 3 hours. Last hour=full price.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I don't know much about gigging or the business side of things (in your case or in general), but just in terms of looking good, perhaps you could take this gig for what's being offered, mostly as a favor to the other band (hopefully they'll think of you again next time they need coverage), though I would hope you're getting at least whatever they would have gotten.

From there, blow everyone away, make the venue beg to have you back, and tell them your regular price and not a penny less.

 

[Tom Grattan]

Welcome to the real world. Years ago we had a regular gig at this honky tonk and when we showed up the last time the owner had booked another band without informing us. At my age I'll play for free if it's the right venue for a worthy cause.

 

[Flaneur]

We play plenty of benefit gigs- and are happy to do so.
We'll accede to specific requests, like playing during a certain busy time period and never taking a break during that part of the evening.
Elastic gigs- with no specific, or even approximate finishing time- can be fun, if they are driven by crowd enthusiasm and the Band's reaction to that.
We turned down a TV performance, once- because it was going to cost us all money.

I wouldn't be happy, with the scenario described. Normal fee, for a short notice, fill-in show....with the expectation that we would entertain the audience sufficiently, that they would want us to continue, after 10.