Whether your venue is getting back into the swing of it or hosting live music for the first time, there is one thing we all know for sure; nothing beats hearing live music within our walls!

And since we would not have the makings of an epic night out or special event without the musicians that provide this elixir of life - especially in these crucial times, it’s only fair to ask - how much should we be paying our musicians? Sure, there are guidelines and unspoken understandings, but every venue is different, and every situation around the requirements between an artist and venue deserves proper consideration. So we at Surreal thought we would share a few thoughts to help you navigate a thriving music economy, and maybe even set the bar for the best music relationship since Jagger and Bowie.

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First things first, this is a Covid gig-economy

Both musicians and venues are going through the motions of recovery while getting their feet back on the ground(and into the scene). To put it frankly, we're trying and make up for the twenty billion dollar loss that shook the global live music industry for the past two years - the whiplash is real. You’ve probably also heard that 1 in 3 musicians in the UK lost their entire livelihoods, and as a result, still aren't making any money through live music. Our venues aren’t faring much better, as many took precautions to stay shut until things were a bit more secure. We know that we’ve got to be smart with our money!  

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But hey, 2022 is our comeback season!

Grim stats aside, the 2022 comeback story is already well on the upward trend. Booster shots, more vaccine research, and pandemic fatigue are all factors that are indicating a big year for live music, where our survivors get to head back out and thrive in the entertainment economy! If you don’t believe us, believe that Sir(-it should be Lord) Elton John is touring right now and if the gods are speaking, we believe that it’s through the extended Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour that we hope never ends. On that note, let’s start this off with the #1 rule

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NO FREE GIGS.

*Unless it’s for a good cause of course.I could feign shock at the very assumption that someone would work for free, but the blurred lines between a musos passion and the sheer gratitude they have for being able to share their music anywhere(-bless) and those who use that to attain gigs is what 2022 society would dub a big red flag. The common cliche of singing for free because someone gave you the chance to sing - is the equivalent of working for free just for the privilege of being given a job. Unless it's Sir Elton John. He can do whatever he wants. - But he wouldn't though, that's the point. As a rule of thumb, there are no ‘first one’s free’ rules when it comes to a gig, just as there's no 'first drink's free rule' at the bar. This is what auditions and demo tapes are for. If you give inexperienced musicians a go, they should still be paid, because, at the end of the day, they practice for hours and are supplying a service to your venue.The quality of that entertainment is what will decide their fee!

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Consider your rate on a case-by-case basis

Some factors may include the size of the venue, how much profit is made from door sales, and whether the event is for a regular pub night or a special event. A special charity gig where proceeds are agreed on(in a fee waiver) beforehand would be an appropriate example of a free gig or one that provides decent benefits for the artist that is equivalent to the amount they would make from a show or event profits. You may be trading rehearsal space for a gig a week or giving practice to a first-timer -who may take a lower rate but should still get paid.

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Fees may be paid differently:

• Paid in advance
• Paid after the gig - before you leave or in the agreed time frame
• Door profits
• A split of the full gig, including bar profits

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Types of fees generally include:

• Per musician: Between £129.00 and £152.25 - within 3 hours (including rehearsal time + under 200 cap)
• Over 200 cap: £169.50
• 4 hours: £172.00
• Overtime: £43.00 per hour, payable at the time and a half at £64.50 per hour
• Porterage fees: between £20.63(horn and brass instruments) to £29.98(electric guitars + amps) - depending on instrument - negotiable for drumkits and larger items requiring special transport
• 15% for additional instruments

• Rehearsal on a separate day: full performance fee for that time

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Additional expenses to consider:

• Setup time
• Travel time: fuel charges per distance or gas consumption
• Overnight accommodation - If finish after 2 am then £110.00
• Food and living expenses
• Special event or public holiday - Normally double the usual fee, and depending on if peak/offseason
• Equipment and costume hire
• Special requests - expenses for learning new songs, writing songs, or anything else they would not usually do, including hosting
• Fans and followers - how many people they can bring to a venue
• Level of experience - Are they beginners or seasoned vets?
• Type of event - a corporate/or special event, festival, big room all cost a significant more

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Some of these are general guidelines and considerations, and others have been reviewed from the rates provided by the Musicians Unions’ national rates and casual stage usage guidelines.

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Discuss your terms upfront and put them in writing

This will ensure a valid business transaction is executed and caters to a positive lasting relationship between your venue and all visiting artists. It is important to ensure complete transparency reflected in the written terms of your contracts to avoid hidden expenses that may incur down the track. Include all details such as; When and how will you pay your musicians - in advance or on the night? An outline of all costs and feesAll specified terms and extra considerationsAny additional fees - to be discussed upfront to avoid disputes

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Some gig etiquette to save you extra costs

Deliver venue rules and gig procedures to your performing musicians well ahead of time. Sorting this out beforehand will ensure that everything runs smoothly on the night and that musicians aren’t incurring any extra costs due to being ill-prepared. Supply instructions for how to deliver equipment to the venue, when to show up, attire requirements, and what happens in cases of damaged equipment. If parking is difficult, then consider the costs of parking and easy storage of equipment ahead of time. Consider the security measures in place for crowd control and communicate all social distance measures to ensure that all parties are complying with any rules specific to the venue space. More complications will mean that you may have to pay musicians appropriately.

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And lastly, the best advice I have ever received

For the first DJ residency I ever took on, I was offered an hourly rate that was higher than most of my fellow DJs in the area. At the time, I felt like I wasn’t experienced enough in the industry, so instinctively I asserted that it was too much. The venue manager who ended up becoming a close industry friend said to me: ‘I'll give you one piece of advice for this industry, don’t ever undersell yourself.’ I’ve remembered this ever since, and it has been helpful in moments where I've had to negotiate up. Within reasonable limits, it is up to the musician to know what their band or skill is worth. Sometimes it’s nice to have our industry friends looking out for us who may lack the business acumen, just as an artist may be willing to accept a lower fee to help out a venue that wants to fit live music into their roster but is still juggling with their funds. We’re all here to look out for each other if an artist does well, a venue does well, and vice versa!

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Oh, and if in doubt, shout out to Surreal

We love questions and if we don't know the answers, then we're up for the challenge of finding them for you. We generally advise that venues set a rate upfront before any gig acquisition, so if you aren't having any luck, we can help you find the right artist opportunities or help you revise your fees. Cheers!

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Joining the next generation of venues taking local music to the forefront of the U.K. entertainment scene? Check out our Complete Live Music Rundown for Venues to help you get started.

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At Surreal we help venues, agencies and entertainers manage live entertainment more efficiently through software - learn more here!

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