It's "for charity"

[Ed_S]

I personally have no issue with playing for free at charity gigs; music isn't my job so I have no pay expectations and indeed expect there to be out-of-pocket costs. I do actually have want to support and be associated with the charity, though, as I see those costs as a tacit contribution to their fundraising budget (spent immediately by them on entertainment for that event) and any photographs of me under their banner as being a much stronger indication of my personal support for their cause than, say, a bartender photographed at the same event. If I wouldn't smile for the camera as I put £50 in their collection bucket then I wouldn't play the gig as I see them as broadly the same gesture.

[Dan Dare]

13 hours ago, Beedster said:

I always see gigging as a privilege, bunch of folks have made the effort to come and see us, I always remember they have a lot of choice these days 👍

 

And we all have a choice Dan. If it’s your job, fair enough, many gigs will be procedural hard work, and sometime really shit. But if not, and you’re still doing loads of gigs you don’t enjoy, it’s your choice. All of this is choice, I choose to pretty much always help charities whether bar staff are being paid or not. Other players and bands don’t, and that’s fine, something that’s 100% their call and not something I have the right to have an opinion on (although I’m not sure why the latter moan about it so much, just say no to charities and focus on paid gigs) 👍

 

I agree with some of what you say, but I don't regard gigging as a "privilege". I'm experienced/good enough to be worthy of my place on the stage. Whether people like what I do is another matter, of course, but that's their choice. It doesn't alter the fact that I do what I do competently.

 

For much of my life, music has been a sideline that earns me extra money, although I have had a few periods during which it was my sole source of income. However, I wanted to be able to pay a mortgage, have a family, etc, so I kept a day job for the majority of the time.

 

I also made it clear above that I'm not opposed to turning out for charity, so it's not a case of saying no to charities and focusing on paid gigs. I make monthly donations to a few charities and am happy, provided the cause is one I have sympathy for, to turn out and play for free on occasion.

 

However, the fact that my band may be willing to give our time and effort does not entitle people to treat us without respect. Covering basic expenses (we're not talking 5 star hotel stays and expensive dinners) is part of that respect.

Edited yesterday at 11:12 by Dan Dare

[Belka]

9 hours ago, Misdee said:

I couldn't possibly comment on this individual circumstance, but something I have learnt over the years is that charity is a business. The higher up the chain you go, the people running the show aren't so much altruists as businessmen and women. 

 

Ordinary folks are brought up to equate charity with giving for free if they want to be a nice person. Those running charities are acutely aware of that and know how to exploit it. The people who give the most proportionately are often those who can least afford it.

During one summer in my university years (sometime in the late '90s) I thought I might switch from my usual pub work to do something else. I applied for, and was offered a job as a charity collecter - or what these days would be termed a chugger. Each day was a different pitch and a different charity. 

 

The deal was that for each pound collected, I kept 80p. another 10p (at least this is what I was told - it could have been more) went to the company organising us, and the last 10% to the actual charity (although how much of that actually ended up paying the salaries of staff at these charities and how much went to the intended recipients is another matter). I lasted two days  - even as a money hungry 19 year old I could tell the whole thing was rotten. It was essentially high pressure sales, but with a bigger commission and no basic rate.

 

That soured the whole meaning of charity for me for a good few years.

 

Of course, perhaps, things are better now and not all operators are perhaps so cynical, but it is as you say, a business.

 

As a musician, our function band has done one or two charity gigs. We made sure we got petrol money and a meal, and it was a better use of a Saturday night than sitting in front of the television, but the 'exposure' never lead to any gigs. 

[BigRedX]

Over the last 3 years my band have done 4 charity gigs. They are all local, either at established venues or somewhere where to PA will be provided by the organisers. Therefore the amount of effort required on our part other than playing is minimal. We have also been able to sell some band merch which normally goes to offset any travelling expenses we might have incurred. We've played Oxjam Beeston three times now and the first two times we were definitely playing to an audience that had mostly never seen us before, and several of those have come to see us play at subsequent gigs. Having said that, the last time we played there was a good chance that the number of people in the audience who had specifically come to see us outnumbered those that just happened to be at the venue already. At Oxjam we get given wristbands that gets into all the other gigs for free, and overall the organisation is excellent so it's a joy to be able to take part. The other charity gig we have done recently was probably one of the best paying gigs we did that year. Again excellent organisation at an impressive venue where we were fed and watered and had proper back-stage facilities including a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. Apparently these were for all the performers but we appeared to be the only band that wanted to make use of them. So long as we are doing gigs of this caliber we will be happy to play Charity events.

 

Just remembered that Leeds Goth City Festival is technically also a charity event, but again it's well organised and all the bands are paid an amount that at minimum covers their expenses, and the organisers still manage to raise a significant amount of money for the charities they support.

[Ben Jamin]

To be fair there are lots of different types of charities, and I think being asked to perform and donate expenses etc is a different story depending on who's asking!

I've done a lot of freelance work for big NGOs with huge support, regular funding and large budgets in the millions. Their events are usually sponsored by various businesses and organisations, and well-budgeted for, so I'd expect to be paid something as part of their budgeting for services for the event. I can donate too obviously, but separately.

I currently work for a small charity that is really dependant on individual giving and securing small bits of funding. We've built some reserves but we operate almost paycheck to paycheck on modest salaries just above the living wage. There are plenty of other charities that exist in the health services and community sector that have to constantly bid for grants/funding to keep running. Performing for a fundraiser for my charity and others like it, I wouldn't expect to be paid - the situation here is that I'm fully giving to support the cause.

Anyway there are bigger charities, smaller charities etc, it's just a type of organisation. For me, whether I'm paid for playing at a fundraiser depends on other factors, like their financial context. As others have said, you don't have to do anything.

 

Edited yesterday at 13:29 by Ben Jamin

[Rich]

I don't mind playing for nothing, i.e. losing money, if the charity is close to home. Alzheimer's or some such. Generally though I'd ask for a bit of petrol money, 20 quid is better than nothing. We did a charity gig some time ago and I was expecting just expenses but they gave us a pretty substantial wedge. I stuck some of it in one of the collecting buckets on my way out the door. 

Edited yesterday at 14:39 by Rich

[ezbass]

18 minutes ago, Rich said:

I stuck some of it in one of the collecting buckets on my way out the door. 

Good man. 

[Franticsmurf]

My main band plays for charity in the sense that the fee the band charges goes mostly to a chosen charity or charities (we get a say at the start of the year) with the balance going to the upkeep of the village hall in which we rehearse for free and to fund band purchases such as PA, travel etc. Almost all of our gigs are private functions for which we are booked and charge a fee. Occasionally we will lower or waive the fee if the gig is itself a charity event. A few years ago we took a gig for an alleged charity weekend for which we were recompensed with a token for half a pint of cider. Afterwards it appeared to have been more of a promotional festival for a local business. I explained to the band that if asked, I wouldn't be doing it again. Indeed, the band were asked the following year and I didn't play, although some others did. The band have since decided not to do it again.

 

I'm not averse in principle to playing charity gigs for which I end up out of pocket. As someone has said above, it's like a donation and that's fine. But just like cash donations there's a limit to what I can afford and so lengthy travel, unusual expenses or other less definable elements will play a big part in my decision of whether or not to play. And, of course, the charity cause will also have an influence. 

 

In previous bands I have played paid and unpaid charity gigs. Usually it was at the request of one band member as a favour for a particular cause. In one case we played for exposure (in fairness the organising venue didn't try to persuade us with the line but we recognised the opportunity) and we did get another paid gig from it. In other cases, while not looking for it we have taken bookings at or following charity gigs which have more than covered any expenses. 

[Burns-bass]

I work on a commercial basis with lots of the UK’s largest charities.

 

Work organised by the charity mostly on commercial terms with a small (and discretionary) discount. We offer 25% off for example.

 

There’s a big difference for fundraising events. These are typically organised by people to raise cash for a charity. These are often where you’ll be asked to work for free and organisation may not be as good.

 

 

[TimR]

I once played a charity gig for extensions to a local church. It was for a dinner and dance at a local 5 star hotel. We went in for £1600 and got 'knocked down' to about £400 after the organiser laying it on thick. We found out tickets for the evening were £100 each. There was an auction of promises after the meal - it went on and on and on. We had been there at 5 to set up. 

 

The Auction made £20,000.

 

We finally went on at 11:30, played for half an hour! That was about £60 each for 2 hours travel, 2 hours set up and pack down, 6 and a half hours sitting around and 30mins of playing. 

 

After that we were very careful to do our research for all gigs.  

Edited 22 hours ago by TimR

[Burns-bass]

2 hours ago, TimR said:

I once played a charity gig for extensions to a local church. It was for a dinner and dance at a local 5 star hotel. We went in for £1600 and got 'knocked down' to about £400 after the organiser laying it on thick. We found out tickets for the evening were £100 each. There was an auction of promises after the meal - it went on and on and on. We had been there at 5 to set up. 

 

The Auction made £20,000.

 

We finally went on at 11:30, played for half an hour! That was about £60 each for 2 hours travel, 2 hours set up and pack down, 6 and a half hours sitting around and 30mins of playing. 

 

After that we were very careful to do our research for all gigs.  

Fundraising.

 

I love that people are inspired by something and want to raise cash, but in a lot of cases, the amount of money raised is simply that which would have been taken by the bands. 

 

 

That’s ok if the band gets the plaudits but it’s usually the organiser on local radio or with their picture in the paper.

 

I don’t do free gigs but I do give some of my spare time to charity (always have), so my conscience is clear.

[Buddster]

We've done a few gig for charity, which generally we don't mind too much. 

We've also been asked to run the PA for multiband lineups. This we don't do for free. We do charge, but at a reduced rate. 

 

Pub.. We're running a charity event, do you mind playing for free. It's good exposure. 

Band.. Sure. We're planning an event of our own. Can you supply free beer? You can advertise your pub. 

[Jo.gwillim]

I'm happy to give my time to charities. I do about 6 hours per week volunteering for samaritans. I give 10% of any freelance money i earn to charities too. I think about where I'd like to donate to help where i think it's needed most. Happy to do charity gigs but it's only right that the organisers don't expect us to be out of pocket. I like to choose where i donate my money. 

Also there's always an inequality of income amongst band members. It's not fair on those who really need the expenses to have to be the only one that has to stand up and say "I can't afford to do this". If everyone gets expenses those that wish to can quietly donate them back to the charity concerned.

[Leonard Smalls]

I've done a few charity gigs for free - though being in only originals bands I often get paid very little or nowt as well depending on the amount of folks who come in.

However, y'all would be appalled at the level of expenses that established stars get for charity events; the usual fee might be waived but private jet, champagne rider and Michelin level dinners are all there...

[TimR]

In my current band the drummer makes the call. If he has to bring more than a snare drum and cymbals - he wants paying. 

[Beedster]

On 18/01/2026 at 11:12, Dan Dare said:

I agree with some of what you say, but I don't regard gigging as a "privilege". I'm experienced/good enough to be worthy of my place on the stage.

 

@Dan Dare I probably didn't explain myself very well. I didn't mean the 'privilege to gig' statement as in any way an indicator of it being undeserved, more that when Im look at life generally - especially now - I feel bloody privileged that I'm able to do it, from the perspective of everything from being in good enough health, sufficiently motivated, having decent gear and (just about) having the ability, to having a bunch of mates not only in my current band but in my circle to whom I can pick up the phone and say 'fancy doing some gigs' and find myself in my garage or a rehearsal studio pretty quickly playing the music we choose to play and lining up gigs. Not always that simple of course, but mostly. Hence my 'privilege' comment 👍 

[neepheid]

I think it's a free choice, and it's none of my business what any of you choose.  I don't really feel like sharing my personal opinion on this, because someone will likely come along to tell me how wrong I am, as is always the case in threads like this.

[uncle psychosis]

23 minutes ago, neepheid said:

I think it's a free choice, and it's none of my business what any of you choose.  I don't really feel like sharing my personal opinion on this, because someone will likely come along to tell me how wrong I am, as is always the case in threads like this.

 

The correct answer is always "it depends". 

 

Depends on the band, depends on the charity, depends on the event. 

 

There's a world of difference between a professional function band being asked to do a charity dinner at a five star hotel and a local pub band being asked to play at a village fete. 

 

Like you, I have my own lines but it's all gravy. 

[Len_derby]

45 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

@Dan Dare I probably didn't explain myself very well. I didn't mean the 'privilege to gig' statement as in any way an indicator of it being undeserved, more that when Im look at life generally - especially now - I feel bloody privileged that I'm able to do it, from the perspective of everything from being in good enough health, sufficiently motivated, having decent gear and (just about) having the ability, to having a bunch of mates not only in my current band but in my circle to whom I can pick up the phone and say 'fancy doing some gigs' and find myself in my garage or a rehearsal studio pretty quickly playing the music we choose to play and lining up gigs. Not always that simple of course, but mostly. Hence my 'privilege' comment 👍 

Your thoughts are similar to mine. I know that I’m privileged to be able to give away my time for free, or at my own expense, when I want to.

It’s something I couldn’t have done when I had big bills to pay and a young family.

 

[BigRedX]

I think it's different for originals bands.

 

All the charity gigs I have done with various originals bands over the years have been multi-band affairs that put us in front of a receptive audience, many of whom may not have seen us before. Often the charity aspect of these events takes a bit of back seat, the bands get paid expenses and it is first and foremost about the music, then about raising awareness about the cause(s) being supported. The fact that there will be money going to the Charity afterwards is a well-appreciated bonus.

 

It appears to be a completely different world to churning out a couple of covers sets to a potentially uninterested group of people.

[martthebass]

51 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

It appears to be a completely different world to churning out a couple of covers sets to a potentially uninterested group of people.

 

I can honestly say that despite being in a 'covers' band I've never done a charity related gig where that has been the case.  

[BigRedX]

11 minutes ago, martthebass said:

I can honestly say that despite being in a 'covers' band I've never done a charity related gig where that has been the case.  

 

Great, but's very much the impression I got from some of the posts in this thread.

 

I suppose another advantage of doing originals charity gigs is that they are nearly always at established venues with in-house PA and lighting rigs so all the bands need to do is to turn up and play.

[fretmeister]

When I did magic it was either 100% or Free. Never a discount. Discounts damage the value of your product.

 

So that automatically separated out the charities I wanted to support and those I didn't.

That makes the list of ones I would take nice and small and me performing would be not a lot different to making a monetary donation.

 

That being said on a few occasions I was asked a few massive companies for free shows and clearly those companies were just doing it for the advertising for them and not the charity. That included Tesco and Pizza Hut. Tesco tried to change my mind by offering me a sandwich Meal Deal and some free coffee.

 

Pizza hut didn't even offer me a pizza!

 

dickheads.

[Dan Dare]

4 hours ago, Jo.gwillim said:

Happy to do charity gigs but it's only right that the organisers don't expect us to be out of pocket. I like to choose where i donate my money. 

Also there's always an inequality of income amongst band members. It's not fair on those who really need the expenses to have to be the only one that has to stand up and say "I can't afford to do this". If everyone gets expenses those that wish to can quietly donate them back to the charity concerned.

 

This is it in a nutshell. In my band, three of us are comfortably retired - kids off our hands, mortgagees paid off, etc - and not short of money. The other two still work, have family responsibilities and are less able to be so generous with their time. It would be unfair to expect (or even ask, because it could be awkward for them to say no) them to do so.

[Dad3353]

1 hour ago, martthebass said:

I can honestly say that despite being in a 'covers' band I've never done a charity related gig where that has been the case.  

 

I can think of a couple of occasions where that has definitely been the case. On one, we played well, on a decently equipped stage, but the folk sitting around the tables were there for the 'turning to stone' little fellow for whom the event was planned. They had no interest in 'whooping it up' at all. A 'lead ballon' event; they needn't have booked a band at all.