Question: When is it OK to perform for free?

smurfco

smurfco

Meatus McPrepuce
Philosophically, where do you stand? Presumably nobody would play as a bar band for free, but...

What about open mics?
What about for so-called "exposure"?
What about a big festival type thing where there actually will be lots of people watching?
Charity gigs?
Do you love playing live so much that you'd do it for free or nearly free?
What is your opinion of musicians who do so?

I'm thinking about starting a blog and writing my first article about this but I don't want it to be the same article that's been written hundreds of times and I want to include a lot of different perspectives. (Or I may get lazy and not write anything at all - I have a lot of half baked ideas that never come out of the oven.) Either way I'm curious to get opinions / experiences.
 
Open mics.

Charity events.

There are times you may go the exposure route if you are new to the music scene and have never been in a paid band and the rest of the band are in the same position. Otherwise the whole 'exposure' gig is utter BS. I have been in two bands that played a few major festivals for free for the PR and 'exposure'. Not a single gig was ever had due to those shows.
 
We have the "Rule of Three". A gig must have two of the three following attributes:

1. The music is great

2. The "hang" is great. Getting to play with people I like and admire is a worth a lot.

3. The money is great.

"free" isn't something I do unless its a favor for a friend who I regularly trade favors with (@El Borrachito for instance) or the occasional charity thing.
 
Yeah, open mics, charity events, and funerals, for sure. At this point, most of my live playing is at hospitals and at full-time care facilities.

If it's a friend, then I wouldn't charge them for playing at their wedding. (Keep in mind that I'd most likely be playing cello or classical guitar for the ceremony, not as part of a hired band playing at the reception)

If it's part of the local arts community and there isn't much of a budget, I'm totally fine contributing music or recording time for a play, an independently-produced film, soundscape work for art exhibits, etc. Again, that's friends helping friends, or artists helping artists.
 
From the perspective of an occasional bar cover band member.

1) Charity gigs
2) Open mics/jam nights (as an attendee, hosts should get paid)

Playing for exposure? Bite me.
 
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I've played several charity events for free and would do so again.

Exposure? Please.

Jams depend on the situation. If it's with friends and going to be genuinely fun, sure. If it's at a bar, pay me or I don't play.
 
Charity or open mic.

I'd personally forego my share to split amongst the other band mates if they needed the money, but I'd never book a non charity, non open mic gig for no money.
 
As said, open mics, charity events, great hang. I think the "exposure" thing can be valid occasionally, provided the show is big enough (i.e., county fair type of situation).
This weekend, we'll be playing the May Ride, which is a charity event. But it's also a very popular annual shindig, so there will be tons of people there. We've also been announced on the radio, appear on the website, etc. That's all pretty good exposure.
 
micwalt said:
As said, open mics, charity events, great hang. I think the "exposure" thing can be valid occasionally, provided the show is big enough (i.e., county fair type of situation).
This weekend, we'll be playing the May Ride, which is a charity event. But it's also a very popular annual shindig, so there will be tons of people there. We've also been announced on the radio, appear on the website, etc. That's all pretty good exposure.
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Yeah, radio and television actually are good free publicity.
 
I've played many gigs for free and have made good money too. I never had a rule to follow about getting paid. I love playing live, it is almost like a drug. I get why folks like Mark don't play for free, for them the gig is a job and I certainly wouldn't work for free.
 
It depends on if it's work or play.

I'll consider playing for free if I ask to do it. If I'm approached, I expect to be paid unless it's a charity I believe in that doesn't have a budget. Sometimes charities have huge budgets. We did one last year where Abba was also on the bill. They flew them in for a one off. They were paid an incredible amount of money. We didn't get anywhere close to what they did, but if there's that much cheddar going around, I'd like a piece too.

If I'm traveling, I'll hit up open mics. This is one of the reasons why I think having physical copies of recorded music is important. You need to be conscious of reminding people you have cds without coming across like a car salesmen. A no dollar gig can quickly turn into a 20 or 30 for 30 minutes sort of thing.

I'm also a big fan of bartering. I get a few folks to go play at a barber shop once a month. We don't set up a PA or anything, but play acoustically for a couple hours for food, drinks, haircuts, and straight razor shaves.

If somebody tells me it's for exposure, my standard response is, I've already exposed myself to enough people in this town.
 
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