Gigging guys, whats the going rate

[Tnjpekar]

we are a 3 piece, and were starting to get offered more money, but the majority of the gigs still fall into that 100 to 150 per man range.
I did a hell of a lot better back in the 80s playing in a wedding band, 300 per gig, sometimes two gigs in a day, but the vito/goldberg wedding did me in, 80 old italian and jewish ladies up on the floor dancing to YMCA, and some formaldahyde smelling biddy stuffing cash down the front of my pants
it was my last gig.
me stupid

 

[Meathead]

we are a 3 piece, and were starting to get offered more money, but the majority of the gigs still fall into that 100 to 150 per man range.
I did a hell of a lot better back in the 80s playing in a wedding band, 300 per gig, sometimes two gigs in a day, but the vito/goldberg wedding did me in, 80 old italian and jewish ladies up on the floor dancing to YMCA, and some formaldahyde smelling biddy stuffing cash down the front of my pants
it was my last gig.
me stupid

I used to play in a five piece band, a three piece is way better now as far as money.

Clubs don't ever pay well, I'd like to quit making club money soon...an agent that can find you the wedding, corporate, festival stuff is where it's at.
Hand out lots of cards at club gigs and it turns into high paying wedding/festive type gigs down the road when they call.

 

[Lava Man]

I have not gigged in about 5 years, but what is intersting here is that rates have not changed in probably 20 years for the local cover band...been $300-$500 a night for a long time.

Here in NC, there's some regional bands that make a killing playing beach music - at dance halls, private parties etc... and on the coast in a 3-4 State area. One of I know of averages (or was) $1500-$2500 a show and they were playing 4-5 nights a week all year long....that's pretty good money...

The hard part about all this is negotiating with the club owner (I have done a lot of this over the years) I think the best arrangement is getting a guarantee v.s. the door take - when you have an established draw. We had an arrnagement like this when I was playing in an 80's retro keyboard band in SLC,UT in the early 90's - it was $250 v.s. the door and they charged $5-10 at the door and we usualy made about $1500 a night...

I think if you want to make some decent money playing locally you need to play a mixture of bars, corporate gigs, weddings and private parties...