SO people ask? How much is a band worth for a gig?
Of course, there’s no one-price-pays-all for every artist out there. Besides the skill level and talent, there’s also the level of exposure and branding an artist’s appearance can help boost the event’s promotions.
So let’s take those out of the equation and try to stick to essentials.
Some bands play for free and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that just as long as the organizers are not abusing the performers’ generosity. But perhaps, defining “free” should be seen as “waiving the talent, skill and branding fee” as mentioned above.
Stripped down to the basic and keeping it real for people to be able to live through the weekend without owing money, here’s a decent breakdown of a local band’s expense should a gig come up. (Let’s presume this is a four-piece band).
Rehearsal studio: P100 x 4
Some rehearsal studios can cost from P180 to P220 per hour. Some bands practice for an hour; some split two hours for two days. More or less, this is how much it will cost a band for practice.
Transportation: P150 x 4
This could be translated as gas money or for commuting to and from practices. “Does that guy really need to take an Uber?” one might ask. Well, let’s just say it’s not the easiest thing to bring musical equipment during jeepney rides. Which brings us to the next point.
Instrument maintenance: P150 x 4
From drumsticks and guitar strings to drum cymbals to guitars themselves, these things help the musician perform on stage and these things cost real money. These materials go under wear and tear every after gig.
Food: P100 x 4
Either one thinks of this as a snack during practices or a simple meal after their performance, artists are still people who need to eat and drink.
This brings us to the grand total of P2,000 for how much a four-piece band spends more or less before a show. And that’s excluding the “talent fee.” Some bands waive the instrument maintenance and food fees to gladly take part in a production they believe in.
Cheers!