How much for a gig?

Roastbeef · Unread post by **Roastbeef** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 8:34 am

There's a restaurant with a nice bar down the road. I was in the other day picking up a take-out order and started chatting with the owner. He said there was a band playing and I asked if he ever had any solo acoustic acts in. He mentioned he wanted to and I said I play (mostly Dave) and have never gigged but have been playing for a while and might like to try it.

I told him I'd put together a CD for him to listen to. I'd actually like to put together an entire package including a "fee". So, is there any set rule in terms of how much to charge for a gig? I was thinking something like a $100 for a two hour set, but I'm not basing that on anything. What's the going rate for a solo acoustic performance at a sportsbar-type establishment. I'm in CT if that makes a difference.

juineaux · Unread post by **juineaux** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 10:03 am

$100 for two sets sounds about right, but this is youre first time playing at this place(and youre first time playing out), so its a little hard to tell. You ussually get paid less at your first gig of any place and when they ask you back for another show they typically offer you a little more.
I would leave the price out of the press kit, or make it a little less like $70 for this first gig, but things are more expensive in CT so i dunno-

Do you have your setlists figured out and everything else you need to play out-

Four Eyes · Unread post by **Four Eyes** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:45 pm

$100 for two hours is a good rate. The only problem is, will the owner go for that. Two hours is okay for big bands, but most places want entertainment to go at least three or four. When he/she has listened to your Cd, and wants to book you, start negotiating. First start high. More than likely, they will look at you like you have herpes. This is normal. This is when you ask what they had in mind, if they haven't told you already. If you are of age, include free drinks in the deal, or at least a $50 minimum bar tab. That is very important! :wink:

You must make for certain the time involved! If it is a three to four hour gig, $150-$200 is what you will be looking at. Now comes the part you might not want to hear. No matter how good you are, your first gig will always come cheap. However, you can never put a price on experience. The more you play, the more money you can command. My first gig payed $100 for four hours. That soon changed though. Good Luck.

Peace!!

juineaux · Unread post by **juineaux** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 1:21 pm

RoastBeef:
Are you playing mostly original or cover songs? have you ever played an open mic or parties, anything before this?
you might want to find another local guitarist/singer, you do 2 sets he does 2 sets, sorta thing-

Four eyes:
Did you play 4 hours solo?
cause that sounds impossible, i have a hard time playing for 2 hours

Roastbeef · Unread post by **Roastbeef** » Mon Jul 14, 2003 1:53 pm

juineaux wrote:RoastBeef:
Are you playing mostly original or cover songs? have you ever played an open mic or parties, anything before this?
you might want to find another local guitarist/singer, you do 2 sets he does 2 sets, sorta thing-

Four eyes:
Did you play 4 hours solo?
cause that sounds impossible, i have a hard time playing for 2 hours

Thanks for the responses guys. juineaux - mostly covers; mostly Dave recently, but I can probably come up with 50:50 Dave/Other stuff. And nope, I don't really have any equipment yet, other than a guitar and vocal mic, but if this guy likes what he hears I'll probably pick up a Acoustasonic (any recommendations there would help) and get a Fishman installed.

He also mentioned maybe doing an open mic night in the fall, so perhaps I'll wait until then to provide a full media kit. Just trying to get some ideas. I'm fully aware that I may not make "full rate" on the first few gigs. I'm just trying to get a basline to determine what a "full rate" is. He also mentioned that they'll be putting in a houe system if they do the open mic thing so I could probably wait on getting at least some of the equipment.

zeppelin41 · Unread post by **zeppelin41** » Tue Jul 15, 2003 11:13 pm

the Dave Matthews band began playing for free

busted stuff · Unread post by **busted stuff** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 11:43 am

Yo-

my advice would be to just concentrate on getting the gig. Even if you have to play it for free. Being able to say you've played sets before will give you much much more negotiate with in the future. Plus, if you can set up a good relationship with this guy you may be able to secure future gigs.

~j

Roastbeef · Unread post by **Roastbeef** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 12:07 pm

busted stuff wrote:Yo-

my advice would be to just concentrate on getting the gig. Even if you have to play it for free. Being able to say you've played sets before will give you much much more negotiate with in the future. Plus, if you can set up a good relationship with this guy you may be able to secure future gigs.

~j

True. I'm not really looking to make a lot of money here anyway. But eventually, if it materializes, it would be nice to at least finance the cost of new equipment...

juineaux · Unread post by **juineaux** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 12:35 pm

If you find out that you wont get paid anything, ask him if you can put a tip jar up instead-

MattyTrane · Unread post by **MattyTrane** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:41 pm

i wish there were more places for live music in my shitty town..

juineaux · Unread post by **juineaux** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 1:07 pm

6StringSamurai wrote:i wish there were more places for live music in my shitty town..

Make places-
We have no place to play in my town, so myself and a couple of local bands rented out the local union hall and put on our own shows, put posters up, charged a cover, and made some pretty good money-

MattyTrane · Unread post by **MattyTrane** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 1:12 pm

still doing it?

DMBTabs.com

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