Pay-to-Play

There is a growing trend around the country to charge a band or artist to play this is known as ‘pay-to-play.’ Unfortunately this practice is not illegal it is just bad news for musicians. There are several  different ways promoters engage musicians to pay to play these include:

Buying a gig – simply handing over cash to the promoter as payment for the gig, this often happens at high profile shows where support bands are expected to ‘buy-on.’

The Ticket Method – The promoter will require the artists to buy a set amount of tickets up front regardless as to whether or not these tickets can be sold on. Of course if the artist can sell the tickets at a profit there is the fee.

The Flyer Method – where the artist is expected to design, print and distribute their own flyers advertising the gig. The punters are required to bring the flyers with them to qualify for entry to the gig. At the end of the night if enough flyers have been handed in the artist will receive a set amount usually £1 per flyer. Bands usually need to at least 25 flyers to be collected in order to make a pound on each flyer. If 24 flyers are handed in (there is rarely anyone to confirm or otherwise) the artist will walk away with nothing! The promoter is quids in as he is probably selling tickets for £3 - £5 each so even on 24 tickets he’s doing quite well and if there are several bands on the same bill, well do the maths yourself and remember the artists have done all the advertising.

I know it can be difficult getting work, but paying to play is not the answer as this is bad news not only for individual bands but also for musicians in general.

So always make sure you know what you are getting yourself into and if you are asked to pay-to-play report it to the Musicians Union whether or not you are a member as they are currently tackling this issue head on so the more evidence that can be provided the better.

If you are that desperate to get a gig you can always do it yourself, often venues will waive the hire fee for a percentage of the door take. You may find that by doing this you can raise the profile of your music whilst becoming a more self-sufficient and rounded musician. In such a saturated music market, it is advantageous to posses more than just musical ability.

SAY NO TO PAY-TO-PLAY