Mork

As a 3 piece acoustic rock covers band in the Thames valley for a pub gig we get around £250, but often we end up being expected to play for 3-4 hours! We don't mind if its a good night and the pub is friendly and gives us a few beers or food but often if you don't you end up getting complaints and no more bookings. Its all very far from the MU recommended rate of some £124 per musician per 3 hours (including set up time !!). On the flip side we understand pubs are also struggling to stay afloat. It is all very conflicting. Then there is the open mic scene where the organiser gets a kickback but mostly the performers don't even get a free beer/soft-drink! And don't even mention town/village festivals etc where your are promised unmissable promotion for your band, get ordered about by some amateur fascist, get your sound completely wrong and then are expected to be so grateful for the opportunity... grrr. But then if we were all so upset about it and refused to play then lots of people would miss the wonder and joy of live music.. and we would not be able to live our dream for a few hours. Difficult...