How was your gig last night?

[asingardenof]

On 11/01/2026 at 23:27, martthebass said:

Great first gig of the year for me last night. New venue for us, The lion at Cas Vegas (Castleford), a well known music venue in these parts. Known as a bit of a rockers venue so booking a glam band was a bit of a punt, however it was banging with a full house and happy smiling punters. Booked back in October and already looking forward to it.

I've tried getting in there as I live in Cas, but their rates were a bit crap for our five-piece (£200 + a bucket handed round is what they suggested to me). It's a shame as I'd love to have a gig only five minutes down the road.

[Norris]

6 hours ago, asingardenof said:

I've tried getting in there as I live in Cas, but their rates were a bit crap for our five-piece (£200 + a bucket handed round is what they suggested to me). It's a shame as I'd love to have a gig only five minutes down the road.

£200? Is it the 1970s?! 😂

[Wombat]

£200 is pretty normal for a pub gig here. Anymore and I’d be thinking about giving up the day job! Well, I would if I wasn’t retired….

[peteb]

6 hours ago, asingardenof said:

I've tried getting in there as I live in Cas, but their rates were a bit crap for our five-piece (£200 + a bucket handed round is what they suggested to me). It's a shame as I'd love to have a gig only five minutes down the road.

 

To be fair, the bucket in that venue can be quite worthwhile. I used to play there several years ago with a hard rock covers band for £150 plus the bucket. The bucket was always considerably more than the basic fee! 

 

Oh, by the way, no one cares if its a three-piece, four-piece, five-piece or eleven-piece! You get paid to generate value for the venue (i.e. bring in people they can sell beer to). No one cares how many band members are on the stage, just if they can entertain the crowd. 

 

[Rosie C]

Playing at a local Wassail this evening. I'm right in front of the camera.

 

[dmccombe7]

14 hours ago, Rosie C said:

Playing at a local Wassail this evening. I'm right in front of the camera.

 

I have absolutely no idea what's going on there. Less said the better i reckon 😂

Dave

[Chienmortbb]

26 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

I have absolutely no idea what's going on there. Less said the better i reckon 😂

Dave

It is the  "Old Religion", danced just before they sacrifice a virgil. 

[dclaassen]

27 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

It is the  "Old Religion", danced just before they sacrifice a virgil. 

Which one is Virgil? Poor guy!:)

[Woodinblack]

18 minutes ago, dclaassen said:

Which one is Virgil? Poor guy!:)

 

 

Hes going to burn well!

[MacDaddy]

18 minutes ago, dclaassen said:

Which one is Virgil? Poor guy!:)

 

 

 

 

[Lozz196]

F.A.B!

[Rosie C]

2 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I have absolutely no idea what's going on there. Less said the better i reckon 😂

Dave

Celebrating the old ways! Pouring cider over the roots of apple trees and singing songs to bring a good harvest, scaring away woodland spirits by banging saucepans, drinking mulled cider and Morris dancing!

 

 

[Stub Mandrel]

4 hours ago, MacDaddy said:

 

 

 

 

 

"You've put on weight, Virgil."

 

"F.L.A.B. Scott."

[Bluewine]

On 16/01/2026 at 06:35, asingardenof said:

I've tried getting in there as I live in Cas, but their rates were a bit crap for our five-piece (£200 + a bucket handed round is what they suggested to me). It's a shame as I'd love to have a gig only five minutes down the road.

 

All situations with bands, band members, bookings and money can be different for a myriad of reasons.

 

I have a buddy a senior guy who's band doesn't gig much and he says ," I'll play for  50 bucks" because he just wants to play. Me, I'm not in that situation and would diplomatically decline 50 bucks a man gigs.  And some guys are not in this for money at all.

 

I'm not sure, but I think the tipping culture over here is a little different.  And it depends on the venue, the crowd and the vibe  of the room.

 

I've seen $1,000.00 tip jars more than once. Stuffed with 20s and even a few 100 dollar bills. I've also seen empty tip jars at the end of the night more than once. 

 

It sounds like a great gig but the business part is a little weird. 

 

Daryl

Edited 1 hour ago by Bluewine

[Bluewine]

On 11/01/2026 at 14:49, MacDaddy said:

I’ve been following this thread since New Year’s Eve, mainly looking for reassurance. January gigs can feel like a leap of faith at the best of times, pubs are usually quieter, the first week (and first full week) can be especially thin, and then there’s Dry January doing its best impression of a killjoy.

 

So it’s been genuinely heartening to see reports of decent audiences turning out. That gave me a bit of optimism going into my own gig last night, of which I will post about later 😁

 

 

I sort of know what you mean. The winter months seem slow to me because we don't play much in the winter. 

 

My last gig was New Year's Eve. I have an acoustic gig next weekend.

 

Daryl