This will most likely only resonate with other working, local musicians. But here is a little insight to the cover band you see entertaining you at the local dive.
The biggest misconception is that the gig is easy money. You get up and play music you like, people enjoy it, maybe tip, and you get paid. Sounds like a gravy train right?
The honest truth is that all of the band works full-time jobs. Most gigs, on average, pay anywhere from $400 to $500 plus any tips we make. Usually not more than that.
So before I jump into the reality of that here are some overall details you might not (or maybe you are) be aware of.
The majority of clubs do not have a backline (that is like instrument amplfiers, drums, etc) and very rarely have PA (sound sound system, microphones, stands, etc). So a band needs to have that gear. And it isn’t cheap. For most small bars and clubs, a simple PA with lights will set you back at least $2,000. Sure, you can cut corners and spend less, but there’s a difference between equipment that works in your garage and equipment you can depend on week after week in a crowded bar. When something fails in the middle of a show, you’re the one who has to deal with it.
Then each member needs their own gear. That could range from $1,000 to infinite. Then there is upkeep of the equipment. Strings, drum heads, cleaning, cable repairs, amp maintenance (especially if you use a tube amp). Again, it isn’t cheap.
But let’s just assume that you and your band got all that covered. Let’s discuss the reality of the gig.
Now, I have been doing this a long time. My first live gig I was 16 years old and had no idea what I was doing. Over 40 years later, still doing it very regularly, I have seen all types of gigs. But let’s just focus on a couple, fairly common gigs.
First, this has to be considered. Most local bands don’t have roadies or a crew. They don’t just show up at a gig and start playing. My example is VERY much a pretty common example. All my gear… my PA and my guitar rig, are all stored in my home. Before the show I have to load all that gear into my vehicle. Then, drive to the venue, unload that same gear, set it up, soundcheck everything, and not only perform, but run the sound system through the night as well from the stage. When the show is over, I have to tear it all down, load it back into my vehicle, drive it home and finally unload it all back into my home.
This is everytime (unless the gig has a sound system in-house and/or a guy running it) regardless of where and how long the gig is. The drive time is really the only variable in that process. Keep this in mind.
So back to the two types of gigs.
The first is the “local” gig. I say local as being 15 minutes, 20 tops, from you that makes the travel time negligible. You still do the gear schlepping I mentioned, but now the variables come in. Lets say it is a local gig going from 7pm to 10pm. Typical 3 hour gig these days. I have to be there no later than 5pm to get the gear unloaded, setup, and tested, leaving breathing room for any technical problems. Then, we play the 3 hour gig (three sets with two 10 minute breaks in-between). Tear down the gear, load it in the vehicle, drive home, and then unload.
So here is the timeline of that:
- Load the vehicle at 4pm
- Make sure I have everything I need for the evening
- Drive 15-20 to the gig arriving about 5pm
- Unload the gear and get it all setup and tested
- Play show from 7pm to 10pm
- Tear down the gear and get it loaded back into the vehicle. This normally only takes me about an hour, so it is now 11pm.
- Drive 15-20 minutes home and then unload gear from vehicle. It is now midnight or slightly after.
So that 7pm to 10pm the venue is paying us for is in reality a 4pm to midnight gig. That’s an 8 hour job, minimum. 9 hours if it is a four hour gig.
Now, the gigs further than an hour away have basically the same logistics, with the addition of the drive. That is an additional 2 hours added to the gig for just drive time. Depending on where the gig is and its start time, sometimes you have to tack on at least another 30 minutes to account for traffic.
We play at a place fairly regularly (biker bar with a great built-in crowd and they really like us there) that is about an hour and ten minutes away. The downside is it is an old-school gig, 9pm to 1am. These gigs make for a LONG day. I usually get home from these gigs about 3:30am and it is 4am by the time I unload, 4:30am by the time I wind down enough to go to sleep.
As I said earlier, we all work full-time, so my day starts at 6:30am, work all day, get home, load gear, shower, and then head to the gig. Getting home and to bed at 4:30am after working all day and the physical nature of performing live, pretty much sucks the life out of me for the entire next day.
Another factor I should mention in more detail is the time cost. The time spent outside the gigs maintaining equipment, learning songs, booking shows, communicating with venues, promoting performances, and handling all the little things that keep a band operating.
So here is the reality. Local gigging is hard, tiring, unglamorous work, for pennies on the dollar. If I did not love performing with and for other people, I would need my head checked as to why I would suffer through all that.
So the next time you’re sitting in a bar watching a local band, understand that those musicians probably spent several hours getting ready to entertain you and will spend another couple of hours putting everything away long after you’ve gone home. They’re probably not making much money. They might even have to get up early for work the next morning. And chances are they’re going to spend a good part of the following day recovering.
So why do we keep doing it? Because for those three or four hours when everything comes together, when the band is playing well and the crowd is having a good time, all the other aggravation seems worth it.
At least until it’s time to load the equipment again.
Replies