gig fees ....

[lesterpaul]

mentioned this in another thread but i'm bringing it back here...my band cut a demo cpl weeks back and off that one 4 song deal we got our first real big gig we are getting fed and making 375$s to split 5 ways i think this is pretty sweet but i have said i'm in it for the fun any money is just icing on the cake ...we play alot of originals and mostly older (70's -80's rock) and a few country we're playing a mexican restaruant that has bands play from 10 pm til 1 am ...so, i was wondering (if it's not too personal ) what is the going rate for your band or bands in your area ....peace out

[Jblount]

I guess, it depends on how good you are. lol

[BillyFurnett]

I usually play on free gigs or food and drink('s) gigs, but I've booked bands in the contracted $3000 range.
Sometimes the gigs were for the "Gate" (= Cover charge Or advanced tickets) and sometimes against the Gate ( = If the door makes X amount you get a predetermined amount, sometimes including a percentage of the gate as well ) and the same with for or against the "Ring" ( = How much booze is sold.). And then of course screwed up combinations between the Gate and Ring.
I've also had the wonderful opportunity to tell a pick up band (With members that flew in off of tour with James Brown and two other members that have WC Handy and Grammy awards) that the person running the house has stiffed them and left!!!!
*NOTE: Never stiff guys from James Browns band.
**NOTE If this should happen your best chance of getting out alive is to stop the band and annouce to hundreds of drunk audience members that the house has screwed everyone.., then start them in a chant of "Pay the band!-Pay the band!" and call the guy that stiffed you on his cell phone to hear the crowd chantting as you offer him (in no uncertain terms) the choice of a riot or returning to the venue with the cash!!
***NOTE: Have a good lawyer.

It's hard to say what bands make in my area, but talent and booking come into play for sure. If you're making under a hundred a guy, then it can be helpful to look at it by the hour.
In your case $25 per hour Per Guy for three hours (Minus all loading, unloading and setup time)...
It's nice to make $25 an hour doing what you love.
(Tell the owner that next time you'll take $300 and food for a gig once a month. If he likes you and likes the offer then enjoy some food, some cash, a solid gig AND chicks that love Margaritas and guys in bands!!)

P.S. Learn La Bamba and the Hatdance jam!

[Fmmahoganyrush]

$25 bucks an hour sounds about right here too. I do a solo gig, and usually take home between $150 - $200 per gig, which usually go for 3 - 4 hours of time onstage, and if the management want's me to play longer, it usually works out to $25 additional bucks per set. Drinks and food are cool to get off the cuff as well. As far as the drinks go, I usually wait till I'm on stage and ask a waitress or simply shout up to the bar (or ask someone in the audience to get the bartender's attention for booze, and lots of times the audience member will pay for it, and they often forget to keep track of what they're sending up to you