spanny
Active member
1-2 times a month for me. Used to tour though, but those days are long behind me.
C
Classic
Active member
I've been in a band where we've played 84 gigs in a year which was a killer. I've been in this band for about 3 years playing from zeppelin, Zz top to guns n roses, billy idol etc. We're out 3 times a month and refuse to play for door money/percentage of the bar. We bring in a good crowd but the bars who pay a percentage etc are usually the lazy ones who can't be bothered to promote themselves.
Earlier this year we played an outdoor festival to a crowd of 2,000 and had the place rocking!!
Earlier this year we played an outdoor festival to a crowd of 2,000 and had the place rocking!!
rlord1974
Active member
Back in the 90's, I was touring full time with one band, making a living from it and doing anywhere from 160 to 225 shows a year (yep, 3 to 5 nights a week, consistently). Those were the good ol' days though. A lot of live music clubs have closed their doors or otherwise converted to DJ's/house music. Some cities and towns have seen their live music scenes decimated over the past 10 to 12 years. It's sad, really. Oh well, the kids nowadays are into dance/club music. What are you going to do? Music is cyclical though - I fully expect live music will take off again in the next 5 to 10 years.
I still play in the same band as above today, but we're down to anywhere from 8 to 20 shows per year (largely by choice, but also because live music has dried up, as discussed). We pull in anywhere from $1,250 to $2,500 per night at this point. The PA and a hospitality rider are always covered by the employer/venue/promoter. We typically do two 60-minute sets or one 90-minute set.
I also have some smaller projects which gig a handful of times each a year. These bands pull in around $400 to $600 a night, depending on the size of the club. PA is usually provided, and maybe a few drinks. These gigs are typically two 60-minute sets or three 45-minute sets.
All said, at this point in my life, I guess I gig around 20 to 25 times a year on average. That's good for me - with a wife, two kids at home and a full-time career, what more could I want/expect? It's tough enough to juggle everything at that number!
I still play in the same band as above today, but we're down to anywhere from 8 to 20 shows per year (largely by choice, but also because live music has dried up, as discussed). We pull in anywhere from $1,250 to $2,500 per night at this point. The PA and a hospitality rider are always covered by the employer/venue/promoter. We typically do two 60-minute sets or one 90-minute set.
I also have some smaller projects which gig a handful of times each a year. These bands pull in around $400 to $600 a night, depending on the size of the club. PA is usually provided, and maybe a few drinks. These gigs are typically two 60-minute sets or three 45-minute sets.
All said, at this point in my life, I guess I gig around 20 to 25 times a year on average. That's good for me - with a wife, two kids at home and a full-time career, what more could I want/expect? It's tough enough to juggle everything at that number!
Jerome Allen
New member
Most of what I do is "jobber" work on bass and guitar. I may be playing 3-4 nights one week, then no nights the next week. The pay also varies quite a bit...which is why, as a working music, I also teach and do assorted studio work. I can pull in $200-500 for an hour gig with some bands (6-7 piece), or net $20 for a couple sets with other bands (4-piece).
What I found is that the most successful bands are different. They have some sort of niche that isn't being done by everybody and their brother. And they have a strong band identity/brand.
I've played with plenty of those dime-a-dozen blues/rock/metal cover bands. And the pay is not far off from the "dime-a-dozen" description. I used to like Journey and Lynard Skynard as much as anyone. But I won't exert any energy or money to ever hear yet another band play "Don't Stop Believin''" or "Sweet Home Alabama." Ok, I know there is some money to be made by playing these tunes. But, the bands that play them are like a commodity...somewhat generic, homogenized, and easily replaced by any of the other 1000 bands that play these same tunes. I guess it's just a matter of Supply-and-Demand. With sooo many blues/rock/metal cover bands out there, the cost/price of such a band will and should go down.
On the flip side, I have friends who play with a 6-piece swing band. They're out 3-7 nights every week, all year long. They're playing the swank places (hotels, clubs, ballrooms, ect) as well as getting those tv spots on morning shows, festival gigs, ect. A couple things they have going for them : There aren't that many swing bands around. And they've established a real identity/brand for themselves. People love THAT specific band, and don't always know what to expect when they see them live...Duke Ellington tunes or a swing/big band version of Van Halen's Jump. This band won't be easily replaced by some guys down the street jamming in their garage.
I also occasionally work with an extremely talented vocalist who has a nice little niche with her Classsically-trained, operatic voice. I suppose it doesn't hurt that she's also easy on the eyes (hot hot hot). If she were slightly more business savvy, she could be raking in some serious money. But even without good business sense, she was able to make a living for many years, singing in various clubs, bars, restaurants, 3-5 nights a week at $200-500 every gig. Again, few people could do what she does. And she established an identity that people loved. They wanted to see HER, not just some singer.
I don't know...these are just a few of my observations.
What I found is that the most successful bands are different. They have some sort of niche that isn't being done by everybody and their brother. And they have a strong band identity/brand.
I've played with plenty of those dime-a-dozen blues/rock/metal cover bands. And the pay is not far off from the "dime-a-dozen" description. I used to like Journey and Lynard Skynard as much as anyone. But I won't exert any energy or money to ever hear yet another band play "Don't Stop Believin''" or "Sweet Home Alabama." Ok, I know there is some money to be made by playing these tunes. But, the bands that play them are like a commodity...somewhat generic, homogenized, and easily replaced by any of the other 1000 bands that play these same tunes. I guess it's just a matter of Supply-and-Demand. With sooo many blues/rock/metal cover bands out there, the cost/price of such a band will and should go down.
On the flip side, I have friends who play with a 6-piece swing band. They're out 3-7 nights every week, all year long. They're playing the swank places (hotels, clubs, ballrooms, ect) as well as getting those tv spots on morning shows, festival gigs, ect. A couple things they have going for them : There aren't that many swing bands around. And they've established a real identity/brand for themselves. People love THAT specific band, and don't always know what to expect when they see them live...Duke Ellington tunes or a swing/big band version of Van Halen's Jump. This band won't be easily replaced by some guys down the street jamming in their garage.
I also occasionally work with an extremely talented vocalist who has a nice little niche with her Classsically-trained, operatic voice. I suppose it doesn't hurt that she's also easy on the eyes (hot hot hot). If she were slightly more business savvy, she could be raking in some serious money. But even without good business sense, she was able to make a living for many years, singing in various clubs, bars, restaurants, 3-5 nights a week at $200-500 every gig. Again, few people could do what she does. And she established an identity that people loved. They wanted to see HER, not just some singer.
I don't know...these are just a few of my observations.
Robotechnology
Active member
I'm in an original female fronted melodic metal band. Gigging 6 to 9 shows per year at the current pace. Playing the nicer venues in the area (BB Kings/Gramercy/Emporium). Basically we open up for select major label gigs.
Next one is opening for Sebastion Bach on the 25th of this month then, Doro in Feb and Queenryche in March. We make zippo as some shows we have to sell tickets for (we front the money and break even selling the tickets so it doesn't cost us anything) and some shows we just show up (no ticket minimum). It depends on the agency that's booking that particular night. Merch sales is the profit (it's not a lot though).
Last one was opening for Kill Devil Hill (Rex Brown and Vinny Appice were WAY COOL!). I'm recent to the band but, earlier gigs were for Stryper and Rhapsody of Fire (which I was way BUMMED to not be ready to play those gigs and meet those bands
).
So to recap, no money but getting to meet some people I've been listening to for years!
Next one is opening for Sebastion Bach on the 25th of this month then, Doro in Feb and Queenryche in March. We make zippo as some shows we have to sell tickets for (we front the money and break even selling the tickets so it doesn't cost us anything) and some shows we just show up (no ticket minimum). It depends on the agency that's booking that particular night. Merch sales is the profit (it's not a lot though).
Last one was opening for Kill Devil Hill (Rex Brown and Vinny Appice were WAY COOL!). I'm recent to the band but, earlier gigs were for Stryper and Rhapsody of Fire (which I was way BUMMED to not be ready to play those gigs and meet those bands
).So to recap, no money but getting to meet some people I've been listening to for years!
some dude
Active member
threadkiller":kwucmkhx said:
There's a place like this that started up in Toronto. I can't remember the name of the place but from what I remember it's set up like a theatre. There's a main entrance hall with a bar/concession and 4 rooms off the main hall. Each room has it's own stage, is set up with small tables and chairs in a manner similar to a comedy club and will carry a different act. The acts start early so the average parents can see a show and get home. I believe the idea is that a performer would perform a dinner show, evening show and a night show, so someone could wind up staying and paying to see multiple shows if they're so inclined.
Marshall Law
Well-known member
between 65 to 75 nights a year
J
joepete77
New member
Yeah , now I gig usually twice a month, sometimes more but at least two a month. Usually the normal small clubs in Philly , some jersey and Delaware occasionally. Obviously not tryin to get rich, it's just fun and I love music.