YamahaPlayer wrote:Depends on the venue...
Small bars aren't shelling out $1,000 for anyone. DJ or otherwise.
Your mileage may vary...but this is our way of pricing the band, and seems to be fair for all involved...
We're old, so we have gotten picky about our gigs. We are only playing 2 "bar/restaurant type" places who pay us a percentage and we know we can pack the places...making $800-1,000 for the band on a good night. Other bars here in SoCal are paying ($300-400) for the bands...so we pass.
We have concentrated on filling our schedule with special events/weddings/city park concerts/corporate gigs, etc that want a quality/professional acting (well, sort of) band that will be good for the event. Those gigs pay from $1,000 for the band up to what-ever-their-budget allows. We are getting in the $2000 range regularly. Not to brag about it...but maybe this will help when you think about pricing the band.
We always ask what their budget allows before we give them a price so we do not leave money on the table. If they don't have a figure, we go to the high side of fair. We figure we are worth at least $50 and hour from the time we leave our house to the time we leave the gig...then round up. A wedding gig can be an 8-hour time commitment, plus driving time if you set-up before guests arrive. It's not about how long we play...it's about how much time we commit to their event.
The key for us is being flexible, understanding when we can get bigger bucks, or the need to take a gig for lower dollars. Every gig is negotiated to get a win-win situation for both the band and the event.
This band has been together for 24 years, so we have built up a nice reputation for fun music and personality while being easy to work with. The events know what they are getting and don't mind paying for it. We are not getting rich, but rather getting a fair wage for our work. I think we are on the low-end of this, actually...but we keep a good schedule for our lives with day jobs. Corporate event bands are getting in the $4,000-$10,000 range if you get in with the right agency and are very polished and want to travel a bit...but we book ourselves to stay in control of this "hobby that keeps us sane and gives us extra cash".
Plenty of bands around here are low-balling/selling themselves way too short...playing for less than minimum wage when it comes down to it. If you are a good band that provides a quality performance...treat it like a business and the extra money makes it worth it when the gig is on the shitty side. Many times at a wedding or funky fundraiser we look at each other..."remember, this is for 2 grand...let's just have fun"...it's all good at that point and enjoying each other's company..."it's all about the hang" many times!
You can see the types of gigs we are doing on the web site below, or on our Facebook site...lots of tentative dates not on there yet...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rave ... 238?ref=tsIt would be great if others chime in on how they negotiate for pay...It would help us all, whether you are a pro or a local band.
I also play with a pick-up trio just for fun...I don't even worry about getting paid for that one...usually very causal backyard party stuff that feels weird to even get paid. No rehearsals, wear what we want, see what happens attitude. Maybe play 3 or 4 times a year.
Latest video clip of the pick-up trio with my brother on guitar, school chum on bass...a Zoom Q3 HD clip...we call the band, "Ooly Coo"...our Dad's frat nick name...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O2Wjdky ... cker=FalseBest of luck while trying to keep it fun!