New Year's Eve used to be the busiest and most lucrative day of the year for musicians as many celebrate the chance to renew our lives and to put the previous year to rest. New Year's Eve was selected to be close to the winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) while coinciding with the 12 months of the modern Western calendar. However, New Year's Eve seems to be losing its lustre, at least from my vantage point. More people seem to be choosing to go house parties rather than paying a lot of money to attend huge events that are hosted by nightclubs, restaurants, banquet halls, etc.. So how are musicians adapting? I'd like to know too.
This year, I had two New Year's Eve opportunities. I could have accepted both if the events were physically closer together or if I had use of a Star Trek transporter beam. My first opportunity was to play dinner music at a local retirement residence with my jazz quartet. I will in fact be doing that gig on New Year's Eve, so I will be finished by 8:30. My second opportunity was to play at the Georgetown Legion with one of my regular bands, Little Peter and the Elegants. Realistically, I wouldn't have been able to get there in time because it is a three-hour drive from Peterborough to Georgetown. I decided to sub out the second job. My sub will actually be making more money than me but I won't have the wear and tear on my car or my body. These are important factors to weigh if you are fortunate enough to choose a gig.
When I have a conflict, my policy is to stay with the gig that comes up first, unless the second opportunity is amazing, rare and/or very well paid. Typically though, live gigs are more similar in compensation so unless the money spread between the two opportunities is really great, I don't back out of confirmed gigs. Backing out of gigs also leaves a poor reliability record and sometimes hard feelings with the people who hired you. It may even exempt you from future opportunities. Generally, the factors I consider when choosing between two gigs are my comfort with the music, the compensation, and the distance, along with my general treatment and happiness.
3 comments:
Hey Sean :)
Glad to see you had such a challenge for New Year's, it beats the heck out of the opposite issue! Two gigs is way better than none. :)
Speaking of gigs...We're getting married this summer, and now's when we're starting to think of budgeting for music. Obviously we're a bit far away for you, but I was hoping to pick your brain a bit. What does a typical indie charge for a) ceremony, and or b) a set at the reception?
I realize you can't speak for everyone, but even having an idea of the going rates will help us to not insult anybody before we even start. :)
Happy New Year!
-sadie
Sadie...I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you about the wedding information you needed! I didn't get notice about your comment until I returned to my blog (a year later) and approved your comment.
Apparently, there is no email notification until the comment is approved which is bizarre considering you need to know that the comment is there in the first place. After I approved the comment, then I received an email notification about it!
Anyway, congratulations on the nuptial. Were your happy with the music?
It's not until June :) Tons of time yet!
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