Musicians in touring tribute bands.
Discussion
I went to see the Meat Loaf story the other week. It was bloody good.
The whole band was excellent. What I was wondering is when the main man, Steve Steinman, or the boss of the Illegal Eagles puts the band together for a 6-9 month tour, how many people in this country would be good enough to play that stuff. After all, the show is only as good as the musicians. Do they get paid enough to have a really good life, scrape by, or just starve?
The saxophonist who plays with the Billy Joel songbook has played with Tom Jones and obviously he doesn't hire monkeys.
The whole band was excellent. What I was wondering is when the main man, Steve Steinman, or the boss of the Illegal Eagles puts the band together for a 6-9 month tour, how many people in this country would be good enough to play that stuff. After all, the show is only as good as the musicians. Do they get paid enough to have a really good life, scrape by, or just starve?
The saxophonist who plays with the Billy Joel songbook has played with Tom Jones and obviously he doesn't hire monkeys.
I sold an old guitar to a very nice chap who plays with a Pink Floyd tribute band (one of the big ones). They seem to be constantly touring (Europe and beyond, too) and ticket prices are pretty high. So there's some money in it. Money enough that they can afford to get anally retentive about absolutely nailing the PF sounds. For a Floyd act that means a very complicated setup and a LOT of musicians to haul around.
Not sure anyone's getting rich, but he had £3500 to spend on a whim (he can't use that particular guitar for Floyd stuff), and he flew back between European gigs to come and pay for it.
Of course, he has his own music projects, too, so perhaps there are other revenue streams?
Not sure anyone's getting rich, but he had £3500 to spend on a whim (he can't use that particular guitar for Floyd stuff), and he flew back between European gigs to come and pay for it.
Of course, he has his own music projects, too, so perhaps there are other revenue streams?
I'm a fairly average guitarist. I used to get £200 per gig in a cover band. So long as the market is there, there will be gigs. Most of the lads I played with owned their own business so cold work out of hours and tour for long periods. I couldn't tour due to work and family, but was offered a 20 date tour over 4 weeks, at £200 per show, which is pretty good money if its not your only job.
The pro's will be session musicians, doing solo stuff, with about 3 bands on the go, also cruises, teaching, working in other jobs. but If I'm honest, for most, its a hobby that pays and the majority of musicians (even really good ones) are not wealthy
The pro's will be session musicians, doing solo stuff, with about 3 bands on the go, also cruises, teaching, working in other jobs. but If I'm honest, for most, its a hobby that pays and the majority of musicians (even really good ones) are not wealthy
If, as you say, you are average, how many really good guys are outh there? The bassist at the Meat Loaf thing was a foxy woman so I guess image counts too.
My niece's husband is really good and teaches but you couldn't drag him up on stage for any amount of money because he simply hasn't got the drive to do it.
My niece's husband is really good and teaches but you couldn't drag him up on stage for any amount of money because he simply hasn't got the drive to do it.
https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Files/Rates/Live...
Assuming that they were on the MU minimum rate, you'd be looking at a gross of £25k, give or take, for a nine month engagement.
Not massive, but bear in mind that food and accommodation would also be covered and it doesn't look too awful. Compared to a day rate of £200 it looks like a nice steady income.
That's if you're just a hired gun, of course. My understanding of the bigger PF tributes is that the band members are very much partners in the business, which means that while they're taking on the risk, they get a lot more of the profit.
Assuming that they were on the MU minimum rate, you'd be looking at a gross of £25k, give or take, for a nine month engagement.
Not massive, but bear in mind that food and accommodation would also be covered and it doesn't look too awful. Compared to a day rate of £200 it looks like a nice steady income.
That's if you're just a hired gun, of course. My understanding of the bigger PF tributes is that the band members are very much partners in the business, which means that while they're taking on the risk, they get a lot more of the profit.
davepoth said:
https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Files/Rates/Live...
Assuming that they were on the MU minimum rate, you'd be looking at a gross of £25k, give or take, for a nine month engagement.
Not massive, but bear in mind that food and accommodation would also be covered and it doesn't look too awful. Compared to a day rate of £200 it looks like a nice steady income.
That's if you're just a hired gun, of course. My understanding of the bigger PF tributes is that the band members are very much partners in the business, which means that while they're taking on the risk, they get a lot more of the profit.
They won’t be paid quite like that. They will almost certainly get paid per gig. Assuming that they were on the MU minimum rate, you'd be looking at a gross of £25k, give or take, for a nine month engagement.
Not massive, but bear in mind that food and accommodation would also be covered and it doesn't look too awful. Compared to a day rate of £200 it looks like a nice steady income.
That's if you're just a hired gun, of course. My understanding of the bigger PF tributes is that the band members are very much partners in the business, which means that while they're taking on the risk, they get a lot more of the profit.
The amount of people that could do that gig would probably surprise you, there are lots of very very good players in the UK.
meehaja said:
The pro's will be session musicians, doing solo stuff, with about 3 bands on the go, also cruises, teaching, working in other jobs. but If I'm honest, for most, its a hobby that pays and the majority of musicians (even really good ones) are not wealthy
The guys in that band won’t be out and out session musicians, and session musicians certainly wouldn’t be found anywhere near a cruise ship unless it’s a one off ££££££ money maker as cruise ship pay is notoriously w
k. I disagree that it’s a hobby for most. It’s only a hobby if you either can’t stick it (irregular money or other such reason) or if you are not really good enough to be a pro. Very few pros will do something outside the broad umbrella of ‘music’ to make money.... like <5%
95% of my friends/colleagues are pro musicians and ‘music’ is their only source of income.
If I were to take a stab in the dark I would guess that the ML band are on less than 200 a gig.
Edited by thebraketester on Sunday 20th May 09:09
We enjoyed a tribute to the Moody Blues performed by ‘Go Now’. Superb musicianship nailing the complex sounds of the original band. Looked up the band members and unsurprisingly they are World class musicians who have performed with iconic names. Clearly they are enjoying playing to a smaller audience and love the music which came through on stage.
thebraketester said:
The guys in that band won’t be out and out session musicians, and session musicians certainly wouldn’t be found anywhere near a cruise ship unless it’s a one off ££££££ money maker as cruise ship pay is notoriously wk.
I disagree that it’s a hobby for most. It’s only a hobby if you either can’t stick it (irregular money or other such reason) or if you are not really good enough to be a pro. Very few pros will do something outside the broad umbrella of ‘music’ to make money.... like <5%
95% of my friends/colleagues are pro musicians and ‘music’ is their only source of income.
If I were to take a stab in the dark I would guess that the ML band are on less than 200 a gig.
Totally agree with this. k. I disagree that it’s a hobby for most. It’s only a hobby if you either can’t stick it (irregular money or other such reason) or if you are not really good enough to be a pro. Very few pros will do something outside the broad umbrella of ‘music’ to make money.... like <5%
95% of my friends/colleagues are pro musicians and ‘music’ is their only source of income.
If I were to take a stab in the dark I would guess that the ML band are on less than 200 a gig.
Edited by thebraketester on Sunday 20th May 09:09
Average function for a wedding/party band is £150-£200 per head
Most of the gigs on the smaller tours the pay is prob about £150 on gig day and £75 on travel days.
Lots of pro players have families and won't do tours unless its super good money
Cruises are awful pay but food and accommodation covered
Touring theatre shows aren't much better (when you factor in travel)
Theatre runs in town are good - if you can get the chair!
Teaching is source of income if you can get a full schedule.
Edited by dojo on Tuesday 22 May 12:23
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