McDonald's recent decision to now pay bands for playing in its SXSW Showcase was huge. The reversal comes on the heels of a scathing Facebook post by one of the bands, Ex-Cops. The post offered a blistering account of how the company asked participating bands to come and play for free. In return, bands were promised increased exposure. After intense public pressure, McDonald's finally got the message and backtracked. The whole situation is another reminder of that age old problem artists face - getting paid.
It got us thinking about our steel pan community and how we survive when it comes to gigs. It doesn't matter whether you are a seasoned professional or a community band playing a local farmer's market. You have to be compensated for your time, talent, and effort. Here are a couple of thoughts on the types of gigs steel pan musicians run across.
Paying Gigs
It is a very simple concept. You show up, play, and someone pays you money. Hopefully, it will be in a currency you recognize. How and what amount varies on the arrangement and event. Typical arrangements gigs range from by-the-hour to a flat fee. Paying gigs are most common for weddings, private parties, concerts, festivals, etc. The promoter will often times pick up your expenses if the event is large enough.
Pay can also vary based on how much business you can bring into an establishment. You might see this when working with clubs and bars. The person doing the booking is banking on your band bringing in enough people so they can make a profit on the food and drinks sold.
Gigs that pay in food, access to special services, or the promise of future gigs are riskier. You are in essence paying for free in a gig that is making money off your talent. Those kind of gigs can suck the life out of you. And when it comes down to it, promises and free food don't pay the rent. Here are a few tips on negotiating the best deal.
Pay for Play
Pay for Play is without question one of the most controversial gigs available. The Steel Pan Collective is not a big fan or supporter of any deal where you pay the gig to perform steel pan. We believe you should be paid or understand upfront it's a volunteer event. Pay for Play is not a win/win for everyone involved. Someone always goes home a loser and it is usually the musician. Look at it from the event planner or promoters point of view. Not paying performers makes for a better bottom line for them, especially if they charge the public AND the band.
The only time you should pay to play is if you are taking lessons or if you enter a steel pan competition. Your payment might come in the form of fees on the front end for the latter. However, those fees are another expense steel pan musicians and bands have to cover on top of travel and accommodations. This ultimately cuts into any profit you hope to make.
Pay for Play gigs are ones you should be particularly careful about. Websites like Neverpaytoplay.com offer some additional hints to look out for.
Volunteer Gigs
These gigs are the kind you do for a good cause or a specific non-profit. The event is not expected to be a huge revenue generator. The promoter ends up shouldering the burden of raising revenue through other means like sponsorships. Some non-profits or special causes will offer some kind of payment to musicians in the form of a small fee, T-Shirts, merchandise, food, or access to other events.
The difference between Pay for Play and volunteer gigs are the reason for the event. In a volunteer event, everyone participating believes in the cause and it is their way of showing support. Organizations like Musicians on Call take it a step further and organize volunteer musicians to go and play for hospital patients. Your performance at a volunteer gig furthers the cause of the organization and makes you feel good too. Your payment comes in the form of a good deed.
So what has been your experience? We would love to hear what makes for a good or bad gig when it comes to getting paid. Drop us a line at info@steelpancollective.org.
Thinking of going to the 2015 Pan People Music Festival? Bring a friend and we'll see you in Denver.
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