Tammies: Tucson's Music Site
"Playing out" in Tucson...
So, whether you're in a cover band or an original band, I'm sure you've wondered if your band is negotiating a 'fair deal' when it comes to playing out in Tucson. Now & then it might be okay to play for free, but for the most part, bands should be paid for their performance. Just supplying the equiptment needed to put on a show is worthy of compensation. It would certainly exceed several hundred dollars a night, if equiptment had to be rented by the venue.
The recent trend in the Tucson music scene is more or less 'pay to play' type gigs. Battle Of The Bands is at the top of the list. All of them require you to sell tickets, and some even have an entry fee. Then, "if" there's a split on the ticket sales, it's typically 80/20... with the band getting the short end of the stick. Local bars & clubs featuring music have also adopted the disturbing practice of asking, "How many people can you draw?" That's a question that should be asked of the venue or promoter, not the band. Bar draws the crowd by advertising great food & drink specials, plus live music. Band provides the entertainment. That's my own opinion though... what's yours?
The recent trend in the Tucson music scene is more or less 'pay to play' type gigs. Battle Of The Bands is at the top of the list. All of them require you to sell tickets, and some even have an entry fee. Then, "if" there's a split on the ticket sales, it's typically 80/20... with the band getting the short end of the stick. Local bars & clubs featuring music have also adopted the disturbing practice of asking, "How many people can you draw?" That's a question that should be asked of the venue or promoter, not the band. Bar draws the crowd by advertising great food & drink specials, plus live music. Band provides the entertainment. That's my own opinion though... what's yours?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tucson Bass Player on -
There are plenty of musicians in town wrapped up in the pre sale or pay to play scene but there are a lot more musicians making a living playing in working bands. As far as negotiating your fee that is not really how it works. Different venues offer different levels of pay. If you seek work with an establishment you have already named your price. It's a fair system that keeps the "competition" for gigs to a minimum.
Great thread, I look forward to seeing what other folks have to say.
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Permalink Reply by Joel Smith on -
I think that you can't say crap on the radio or on the web. I'm an old unredeemed punker who has gravitated to folk music because that is where the honesty and energy seems to be.
Ticket sales? That's the businessmen calling the shots. How many of you cynics giggled when I said that I was drawn to folk for its honesty? Do they have you in the aisles selling popcorn and condoms too? Perhaps a pinwheel or two?
Musicians need to stand up for themselves. It's not about ego or being on stage, but it's about the music itself. If you disagree, I believe that you've gone to the dark side and are deserving of my old steeled toed boot to the nut sack.
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Permalink Reply by Armitage Wine Lounge on -
We are looking for a Great Tucson Band to play on Sunday Nights.
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Permalink Reply by Shell Shock on -
Hi,
What type of music are you looking for?
My favorites are:
Brian Dean Trio for jazz/cool easy listening.
Bad News Blues or King Bees for blues
Shell Shock for classic vintage 60's & 70's rock (Sorry, had to.....it's our band!)
Heartbeat or Retro Rockets for pure early 60's rock
Good luck
Steve
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