phil.c60 Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Last Saturday I went to see a band and the drummer turned out to be someone I knew quite well. The usual deal at this particular venue is a fee plus "The Jug". At half time he told me that their policy had changed, and it was now 15% of the bar take between 8.30 and 11.30 plus "The Jug". Hmm. He also asked if I'd go round with the jug so the staff didn't have to (more staff behind the bar, more sales, especially as it's a small pub with only two staff). More than one person said they had no money whatsoever, and when I told her this my observant wife had already noticed that they were paying for rounds with debit cards. Not contact-less yet but that must be next - a tap your card type terminal on the bar. If this becomes more and more prevalent, as surely it must, is there any future for "The Jug"? It only matters because bar sales are not necessarily the sign of a good band, where as what people put in "The Jug" probably is, which is why this type of deal suits both parties: the pub don't have to pay out a large fee but the band have the opportunity to earn well if they are entertaining (and have a good "Jugger" with a bit of personality - we do, fortunately). Any thoughts? And my harp player has already suggested we get our own wireless terminal so no prizes for that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Can I be the first to suggest that a pair of jugs may be a more attractive proposition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 27, 2016 Author Share Posted January 27, 2016 The collection agent in question has those attributes (amongst others)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 We played there on the Friday - cracking pub, very different to the other one we discussed. Unfortunately the jug went out quite late and we did really badly on that but quite well on the bar take. Th landlord is a really decent guy, but he is having big problems with the PubCo, and you couldn't help but notice the residential development going up next door. We're back in May, and frankly, it is one I'd do for nothing, but I do hope he gets things sorted by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Does the band get a share of debit and credit card sales? I've seen card sales excluded and that means that the band gets not a lot at the end of the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Pretty sure he didn't exclude them with us, but it was very much on trust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1453905122' post='2964043'] Can I be the first to suggest that a pair of jugs may be a more attractive proposition? [/quote] I thought this was going to be another disappointing thread, but it's not. Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 I'm puzzled - what's the jug ? When I first saw the title I assumed it was the music venue in Moseley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 get a card reader and take card payments with the jug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colgraff Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 The Jug is basically a tips jar for the band. A bit like the busker's hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1453908596' post='2964090'] get a card reader and take card payments with the jug [/quote] Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 [quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1453908601' post='2964091'] The Jug is basically a tips jar for the band. A bit like the busker's hat. [/quote] Ah right, around here we use a bucket. You can get PayPal card readers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 [quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1453908601' post='2964091'] The Jug is basically a tips jar for the band. A bit like the busker's hat. [/quote] It was always referred to as 'passing the hat round' in Cardiff. This was back in the 80s/early 90s mind. Don't even know if it's done anymore as that was probably the last time I saw a band in a pub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 [u][u]Just out of interest which venue is this?[/u][/u] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 The last place I was in where they passed a jug round definitely wasn't a music venue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1453910165' post='2964122'] The last place I was in where they passed a jug round definitely wasn't a music venue... [/quote] I always thought the Corrs had made enough money without needing a pub collection Edited January 28, 2016 by Mykesbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 I can't remember the last time I came across the jug / hat thing but it's got to be 25 years ago at least, is this mainly for original bands as covers bands are normally a set fee agreed in advance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Nothing less classy than the jug - go and busk if you want tips or up your fee in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Typically a jazz thing where the 'house/regular' band are on the fee and the guests share the jug. I seem to recall a jug being worth about £7-8 per man..including the house band so that would be about £50 or so in it. I can't see 15% of bar take working round here...as a couple have tried it and that killed the bands willing to play there stone dead. I can actually sympathise with the pub that tried it.... as I've never seen them have that many people in... but that to me just says the venue isn't working... everyone should just give it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 27, 2016 Author Share Posted January 27, 2016 [quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1453919218' post='2964268'] Nothing less classy than the jug - go and busk if you want tips or up your fee in the first place. [/quote] There are quite a few pub venues down this way where a fee plus the jug is well established; a lot of them are long standing venues where some [u]very[/u] good musicians play. I'm pleased that you don't have to lower yourself to their level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Business men are better paid than musicians, what can I say? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1453920142' post='2964281'] I can actually sympathise with the pub that tried it.... as I've never seen them have that many people in... but that to me just says the venue isn't working... everyone should just give it up. [/quote] This venue is working, but problems with the big PubCo's (Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns etc.) are well documented - it seems these companies were only ever in it for the value of the buildings as assets, and this landlord was very open to me about this. Also, the jug pubs do seem to be the ones that have great audiences, so, if like me, you love playing to an enthusiastic audience rather than going home with your pockets stuffed full of fivers, locally, these pubs are well worth playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.c60 Posted January 28, 2016 Author Share Posted January 28, 2016 [quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1453998425' post='2965192'] Business men are better paid than musicians, what can I say? [/quote] As am I - It's fun all the way for me when it comes to music. I don't need the money and I'm with Mykesbass on this. We even share some venues and he's quite right about the quality of audience, they tend to be more than just "punters" and often are sprinkled with other musicians enjoying other peoples playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayDownThaFunk Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Why don't you play in originals bands then? Bit of a double standard there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1453998809' post='2965200'] This venue is working, but problems with the big PubCo's (Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns etc.) are well documented - it seems these companies were only ever in it for the value of the buildings as assets, and this landlord was very open to me about this. Also, the jug pubs do seem to be the ones that have great audiences, so, if like me, you love playing to an enthusiastic audience rather than going home with your pockets stuffed full of fivers, locally, these pubs are well worth playing. [/quote] Maybe there is a precedent set locally. Jugs have never been big round here...apart from Jazzers, which is where I first came across them. The scene here is vibrant enough to pay a standard fee..which is why the pub that tried the % deal didn't last 5 minutes..everyone pulled out of the gigs. A rough calcuation of 15% of £1000 is your £150..and depending on the pub, £1000 takings might be a very good night for them. So you are going to have to milk the jug a bit to even end up with £250...?? Too many pubs here pay that as standard. I'm all for variations of the theme, but fees are too low as it is...IMO... so nobody is voting for a pay cut. To get £350 off takings...which would be a variable anyway... you'd have to take £2500 over the bar..?? The better musicians want £70-80 a man for a min 4 piece. No one is going to offer a variable fee when they can get a set fee elsewhere so easily... not round here and not with Shepherd Neame pumping so much money into music pubs. I'd say over 80% of music round here in pubs is in Shepherd Neame pubs..?? So, no, I don't want to see the jug turn up..... too many people moan at an extra few pence on a pint.. So although people harp on about supporting music...they forget that when asked to put their hand in their pocket... Edited January 28, 2016 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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