How much to charge for a Party Band?

[Deidelberg]

Here's my band's web site to give you an idea of what we do: www.themightyquinnband.com

Playing a corporate party or wedding is very different from playing a bar gig or a party in someone's home. If you're going for the high profile / high dolla gigs, you're playing at a country club, nice hotel ballroom etc... There's definitely a decorum involved. No swearing, appropriate dress and behavior while setting up and tearing down etc...

There will be a written contract.
You may be expected to play a very quiet and mellow set while people are eating.

You will be expected to be the MC for the event and you will likely receive an itinerary with timing that won't realistically happen.

You will be expected to be very flexible.

You may or may not get fed.

You'll probably have to use the service entrance, go through loading docks, kitchens and freight elevators. Often not an easy load in.

If they're paying $200 a person, you'll probably be expected to wear a tuxedo.

Your equipment must work properly and can't look like ****.

Sometimes you'll get a big stage or a large area to set up. Sometimes you'll have to cram 9 people and equipment on an area the size of a postage stamp.

You'll have to play stuff that the really old people like.

You can't play as loud as you would in a bar.

You'll be expected to put on some kind of show and to keep the event moving.

Here's a biggie...... You'll often be contractually obligated to set up hours in advance of an event. We often set up and then go home to shower and change. Thus, there are many more hours involved in doing one of these gigs.

You'll be playing for people who want to dance and hear fun songs. They don't want to hear your incredible version of eruption or some steve vai tune.

To really get the jobs coming in, you'll probaby have to deal with an agent or two. (www.class-acts.com)

You'll need to record a high quality demo CD.

You'll need to have professional photos taken.

The list really does go on and on. It's a lot of effort, but you can have a lot of fun doing it.

I'm glad our 5 piece version is playing two bars this weekend. I want to turn it up a bit and play some rock tunes we can't do at the fancy shindigs.