Unexpected parties

[Bassforradio]

Okay, I am trying to get a consensus on this.

More than once, my band has turned up to play a gig at a pub or a club only to discover that there's also a party booked.

My feeling is that my band would generally charge more for a party/event than for a standard pub gig, but my bandmates also feel like it makes no difference what's going on at the venue; we're paid to play the gig.

So what's the general feeling on this? I feel like the venue is taking advantage and getting a band on the cheap.

[Dad3353]

Why does your band charge more for parties/events..? What do you do that's different..? If it's been booked as a 'pub gig', play what you'd play for a pub gig, no..? 

[Bassforradio]

My band doesn't charge more. This is what I am trying to establish. Is this normal or are we getting ripped off?

[ezbass]

IME parties are more of a faff. You arrive earlier, leave later and normally have to cater to some requests (not just musical) that you wouldn't do for a pub/club gig.

[police squad]

If it's a pub gig, in a pub, usual load-in, start and stop times, then it's a pub gig. Pub gig money. I always think if there's a party in there, more people will see the band that probably wouldn't have bothered.

 

I've even done private functions for pub gig money. I tell them, 'if I can treat it like a pub gig, arrive at 7.30, start at 9 finish by 11.30, then I'll do it for pub gig money.

[TrevorR]

3 minutes ago, police squad said:

If it's a pub gig, in a pub, usual load-in, start and stop times, then it's a pub gig. Pub gig money. I always think if there's a party in there, more people will see the band that probably wouldn't have bothered.

 

I've even done private functions for pub gig money. I tell them, 'if I can treat it like a pub gig, arrive at 7.30, start at 9 finish by 11.30, then I'll do it for pub gig money.

That would be my feeling... if it’s a pub gig where you’re playing to the pub’s punters and there’s also party/hen night etc that happens to be in that evening then you’ve just got a built in audience who are bevvied up and ready to hit the dance floor. Take that as a win! And point out to the landlord At the end of the evening what a successful, floor-filling band you are, and yes you would like to book 3 more gigs please...

If you’re booked for a private function by those throwing the party then band rates rise accordingly.

If you’re booked for a pub gig At pub gig rates and you arrive to discover it’s a private party... that’s more tricky.

[steantval]

The plus point is that you have a captive audience and a lot more punters than would normally be in the venue.

It happened to us a couple of gigs ago, it was a couples wedding anniversary in the pub/restaurant and we had a great night.

[Bassforradio]

This is great! Thanks! This is what I was looking for! Much appreciated.

[Monkey Steve]

The only issue I would have is if you've been promoting it as a pub gig, open to everybody, and any fans of the band arrive to find that they can't get in because it'd a private party - the band doesn't look great

If there's a party happening but it's still open to the public, no problem, just extra punters

[Bassfinger]

What Monkey Steve said.  Whether they're there to party or there to play dominoes makes no odds to me, just so long as any fans (that'd be the day!) aren't inconvenienced.

Edited November 25, 2019 by Bassfinger
Delorean keyboard pole

[BrunoBass]

6 hours ago, police squad said:

If it's a pub gig, in a pub, usual load-in, start and stop times, then it's a pub gig. Pub gig money. I always think if there's a party in there, more people will see the band that probably wouldn't have bothered.

That’s about the size if it for me too. 
 

However if we’re booked for a party (ie in a venue, and we’re booked on the basis that it’s a party) we charge double or triple what we do a pub gig for, owing to the generally increased faff.