Pub and Party Bands, what do you charge?

[davidd]

As the title really.

We are a 6 piece band playing a diverse range of covers. Not at all professional but we can certainly entertain a crowd for a couple of hours (with more stuff being added).

We played a gig in a local pub last night, the place was packed and we seemed to go down very well. I've been contacted by a couple of people today to ask if we can play at birthday parties next year and if so how much.

Everything we have done so far has been for fun or a good cause and whilst we are not in it to make money, some cash in the kitty towards a better pa, new lights etc etc would be good.

Is there a going rate? What do you lot charge?

Thanks

D

[singlecoil]

Speaking as a private individual who neither books bands or plays in one, I wouldn't be surprised if I was quoted £300 for a 6 piece band, and if I liked their stuff and how they played it, I would book them. More than that I would still consider it but it would depend on the function I was booking them for.

[ikarl]

Weddings are normally a couple of hundred a head, depending on how good you are, maybe more

Parties, birthdays etc, somewhere between 50-75 a head

Pubs etc, should be for drinks....unless you're really good! That's where you're getting your advertising

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

We're a 5-piece Classic Rock covers band, playing all the usual pubs and clubs.

Been going for two years now, and are at the stage where landlords and punters generally now call us for bookings, rather than the other way round like it was when we started up! So we must be doing something well. We usually have a good crowd, and now get a handful of people following us around.

One thing that did seem to make a huge difference, for a fairly modest outlay, was building up a reasonable little lighting rig, with LED's and Lasers, and a smoke machine. Decent lighting makes such a difference to your show, it looks so much more professional. Then when the guitar solo's cut in, a huge blast of smoke looks great - especially with the lasers flashing through it!

We charge between £175 and £225, depending upon the venue. A couple of the pubs are owned by the Landlords and don't have big brewery money behind them, but they are hanging on and doing their best - and trying to keep and promote live music. So we are happy to charge the lower figure. The big chains pay the larger figure.

Weddings and functions we look for £500 to £600 quid, but that's because it generally writes off most of the day - we set up and sound check early doors, then hang about for the reception in the evening.

HTH! By all means PM me if I can help any more

[davidd]

Cheers folks, all really useful.

Ray I can't dm you, ph won't let me. Can you DM me and I'll email you back.

We have a basic lighting rig one and a smoke machine and will get more stuff as we go on. Lasers are a great idea thanks.

What about PA? We have cobbled together one from bits and bobs. So have a 12 ch desk, loud cheap 900w amp (or so they claim) a couple of old carsbro speakers and a powered peavey monitor. I think the cables cost me more than the rest of it.
It is ok but I'd like to upgrade it bit by bit and wondered what you used?

Thanks

D

[J1JPE]

£250 is the going rate for a 4pc rock covers band +2 on lights & sound in the East Mids

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

davidd said:

Cheers folks, all really useful.

Ray I can't dm you, ph won't let me. Can you DM me and I'll email you back.

We have a basic lighting rig one and a smoke machine and will get more stuff as we go on. Lasers are a great idea thanks.

What about PA? We have cobbled together one from bits and bobs. So have a 12 ch desk, loud cheap 900w amp (or so they claim) a couple of old carsbro speakers and a powered peavey monitor. I think the cables cost me more than the rest of it.
It is ok but I'd like to upgrade it bit by bit and wondered what you used?

Thanks

D

Have PM'ed you dude. Let us know if you don't receive it.