vmaxblues Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 So, we are being asked to a 40th Birthday Party, all good so far, he is an acquaintance of two of the band, and he has asked for a price for the evening, I suggested £400 as a mates rate, silence, he has come back with... 'I was thinking £200, as when I spoke to your guitarist the other night he said you charge around £200 for pubs' This makes my blood boil for all the obvious reasons and it looks like the others in the band don't really recognise my opinion that this is taking the p**s. They are keen to do it and see it as a paid rehearsal! I have said if we are doing it at pub rates it must be treated as such, i.e turn up at 7.00, set up, do two sets of 45 mins, pack up go home. No extra sets, no lights, backing music etc and definately no setting up at 12.00pm. Am I being silly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Have you explained that to him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) Have you talked to the rest of the band yet ? Edited January 20, 2016 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 It all depends on what extras you would need to be doing outside of a pub gig like arrival time, performing times etc We get £200-£250 for pub gigs but we always take lighting, play music in between sets and play for 2 x 60 mins. £400 does seem a bit high to me unless you are providing and actual disco too rather than just backing music. Tell him you will do it for £200 but he needs to get a dj to fill in between your sets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Say the guitarist meant 200 each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 It's difficult when it's a friend of the band (even if not a friend of all the band members) - Your theory of pub price = pub performance kind of holds water, but the guys in the band who are his mates might want to give a little more...I'd say a compromise somewhere between the 2 should please everyone. What's the alternative? Would you rather do you the guys party where you should be guaranteed a receptive 'up for it' crowd, or a different standard pub gig for £200ish, or sit in the house? FWIW - in my band we have a rule where each of us can have one gig every year for families and friends etc, where we only charge fuel etc - seems to be working so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Setting up at mid-day? No chance. That's not a pub rate gig. Tell them you'll see them at 7pm with your gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 He won't get a DJ for less than £400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1453295006' post='2958147'] Say the guitarist meant 200 each. [/quote] That'll do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 If the guy who's party it is is an aquaintance of two members of the band then let them do the gig as a duo for £200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 When I was in a covers band and we did a few events for mates we did the same show as what we would have done for a pub gig, so charged the same fee, and attended for the same time. Any differences to that would have been charged accordingly. Fisrt off I`d say the band needs to agree on its view, then once that view is reached, the mate needs to be told of the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luulox Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Are you charging him double for mates rates or have I read it wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I wouldn't have thought there was much you can do once the guy has been told how much you go out for in pubs - in his mind there isn't going to be much difference. Fault lies with the guitarist, so make him do it for free and then split the £200 one less way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnythenotes Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Tell your buddy ...( and this is if you are a 4 piece, ) that from when you leave home, till when you get home after the gig will be about 5 to 6 hours,( and this is for a 7 o' clock set up.) that you and the rest of the band feel you are worth more than the minimum wage. A lot of these sort of events spend more on an Iceland buffet, and 'happy birthday' banners than they want to pay 4 or 5 blokes for sweating there nutz off to entertain them. Next will be a request to put music through the PA to save him spending on a DJ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1453298090' post='2958208'] I wouldn't have thought there was much you can do once the guy has been told how much you go out for in pubs - in his mind there isn't going to be much difference. Fault lies with the guitarist, so make him do it for free and then split the £200 one less way. [/quote] The guitarist should be offering to waive his cut anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 So the birthday chap has found out your band charge £200 for pubs and wants the same deal? If he only wants to pay your 'pub' price you could give him a pub set. Turn up at 8pm set up, do 2 sets and leave Maybe ask him what he's expecting. If he's wanting more than a pub set then explain the price goes up (and maybe suggest he asks how much a DJ would cost all night) Personally, I don't get involved in that mates rate stuff. I was asked to do a party for someone's mate once and they didn't want to pay anything. I was told there'd be food and drink in it for you. The thought of a buffet and cola all night made my stomach turn. I said I was busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
william64 Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Not easy to answer when it's a friend of the band. There will be always different points of veiw. I like LewisK1975's post above that in his band they have a rule where each of them can have one gig every year for families and friends, where they only charge fuel etc. I am going to suggest it in our band. Thanks for inspiration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I'm with the OP. There are two different rates when in a gigging band, in my opinion. Pub rates, whereby the pub have to make money back by having you perform. Also, they will continue to give you dates, therefore as an ongoing relationship, the prices are lower. The sets are always 2x45 mins, and always from 9-10pm with a 30min break. Here my band usually get £250-£300. Private functions- These are one-off gigs. No opportunity for further gigs. Usually, the expectations are higher, the sets longer, music provided before, during break, and after. Time of performance can vary wildly, and location can be further than we are used to travelling. For these, we charge around £600. Slightly more for weddings, as these are always, always a pain in the backside and we are literally 'doing it for the money'. £400 as mates rates seems about right, and is what we've charged in the past, depending on how good a mate they are of course! I can understand why the customer feels hard done by, but he cannot expect the same price as a pub that may give you 5 gigs in a year. If he doesn't like it, he can always try and book someone else for cheaper? That's usually what we say anytime we get a moan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I did a few of gigs like this last year. We have a sort of unofficial rule whereas the "mates" of the client who want to offer mates rates usually play for less so the other non-mate members get their usual cut. Works for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunton-hobbit Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I've done 'mates' favours before - it's always been severely underpaid, I got severely underfed and watered, and frequently slagged off for wanting to go home at some ungodly hour 'because there's still people dancing' ...two, at one memorable gig, and they were pis*ed....no more.....I'm busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roceci Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 None of my lot would suggest going lower than £400 for mates rates unless they waived their fee. An 'event' show is not a pub gig for the good reasons mentioned already. I worry tho as it sounds like you're the lone voice of reason, so this could come up a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='vmaxblues' timestamp='1453293738' post='2958122'] So, we are being asked to a 40th Birthday Party, all good so far, he is an acquaintance of two of the band, and he has asked for a price for the evening, I suggested £400 as a mates rate, silence, he has come back with... 'I was thinking £200, as when I spoke to your guitarist the other night he said you charge around £200 for pubs' This makes my blood boil for all the obvious reasons and it looks like the others in the band don't really recognise my opinion that this is taking the p**s. They are keen to do it and see it as a paid rehearsal! I have said if we are doing it at pub rates it must be treated as such, i.e turn up at 7.00, set up, do two sets of 45 mins, pack up go home. No extra sets, no lights, backing music etc and definately no setting up at 12.00pm. Am I being silly? [/quote] No, perfectly reasonable.... but if you are regarded as a pub band because the vast majority of your gigs are in pubs..you can see the customer's 'logic'... We discussed mate's rates as a band and the best that might be achieved is if the mate in the band waived his fee. If...to keep the peace, you agree to cobble together a special rate, you should determine what mates rates actually are and why you charge what you do to future clients........... but then also, you may run the risk if another mate of a mate asks and he also knows what you charged..? We used to say that saturdays rates were x... and that is a reason we wouldn't take a pub date in the summer ... And yes, a party is more about hrs...if he wants a pub deal, then you play a pub deal. Personally, I still wouldn't go there, but you've been stitched up (it seems) by people who don't know what is on the song sheet..??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Ok - £300, £100 each for the two who don't know the birthday boy, and £50 each for the two who want to do it for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='JoeEvans' timestamp='1453315382' post='2958400'] Ok - £300, £100 each for the two who don't know the birthday boy, and £50 each for the two who want to do it for cheap. [/quote] You should have set the rate prior to it being an issue that is THE mistake... but I'd say £400 for a party type event was very cheap for mate's rates. The above solution is ok..and will teach them to price someone else's time... The best way out of this is to be 'busy' but it may be too late for it now... and you are going to have an issue over this. Delicate..delicate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 To answer your question having only read the title; i find the answer is usually "probably". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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