not getting paid properly at gigs

[rhythmtech]

one last point.

the promters words were

"we barely broke even"

not we lost money.

so basically they didnt end up in a hole yet werent prepared to reach into their own pockets. between 4/5 of them it woulda worked out a 10er each. not a lot lost and safe in the knowledge that they pay up. conscience clear.

[stjohn]

hmmm... i dont knwo those lads...but yea that sounds a bit odd.
****in tranceheads wha?>

[rhythmtech]

hmmm... i dont knwo those lads...but yea that sounds a bit odd.
****in tranceheads wha?>

sorry.. my mistake it was reactive.. bloody old school heads.. at least with trance hippies they probably pay up.. bad karma doesnt mix with hippies

this was a horrible "ben sherman & kickers" kinda nite


no offence to any of the old school heads on here but in dublin it has become a dangerous joke of a scene.

[dirty_bass]

Swings and roundabouts this.

Personally, for all gigs abroad I use a contract, with an advance, so at least some of my ass is covered.
In the UK I generally only take bookings via mates, or people who I know indirectly or directly, with or without contract.
If it`s a small or new event, I will always state, even if things turn out bad, as long as my expenses are covered, ie travel and a drinkie, then I won`t go ape. If a promoter can`t even have the decency to sort out your expenses, to an event THEY got you to make the EFFORT and EXPENSE to get too, then they deserve a good heavy talking to, AT THE VERY LEAST.

For me though, a gig is 1-3 weeks work building a pa, so I do tend to get a little irate if ****ed about.

There are some dire promoters out there, but the case is, find out about who you are playing for. Get some info and then decide if you want to take the gig.

A contract isn`t some evil thing that makes you an arrogant tit, it covers both yours and the promoters ass (as most contracts will have a clause where if you don`t show then they can claim on you), so I generally recommend them for bigger gigs and trips abroad.

There`s a 50/50 situation going on when a gig turns bad due to low door count though.
You can blame the promoters for not promoting properly, but also, your fee generally reflects your draw on the door. So if you don`t pull in the bodies yourself, then it`s partly reflected on you as well I think, to some extent at least.

However overall for me, Techno music is something I just enjoy too much to get into the whole gigs for career thing. For the most part it`s a pretty small scene and is getting smaller, and so will have more than it`s fair shair of shoddiness and serious ups and downs until things settle into an equilibrium. I am now much more into just doing gigs with and for people who are genuine lovers of the scene, who do it out of passion, for me the gig is much more than just the time I spend playing my music, I like to be with the people doing the party, and take in their vibe for a while, rather than play, pay, see you another day. That way I never get stressed, I choose when I want to party, and I always enjoy myself.
I`ve started playing more and more free parties in the last few years (after a long time of getting the hell away from it) and I`m am enjoying these more than anything else.

It is a minefield out there, and all of us have and will get screwed over at some point.
The main point I think, is to keep yourself as informed as possible.
We are all whores to some extent, and the need to perform can blind you to some bad things.

[thomas_figo]

has anybody got contacts to any decent promotors then?

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[Jay Pace]

I've don't think I've ever not paid anyone what I've promised/agreed.
Which means that sometimes I don't promise much, but I'd rather people knew upfront what they stood to get from a gig.
Is not your money to hold back. If you make a loss, you make a loss.

I've taken less money from playing, if I know the promoters and know they are suffering. But then at least its my decision to waive, not theirs to not pay me.

I'd say you have every bloody reason to be angry.

[BloodStar]

It is always pain when you deal with people with no fair-play thinking. I think it is more about personal approach. If the guy dont wanna pay you, he will always have arguments to do so and you will never see your money. No matter if he lost or earn.
I am sure if there would be a will from from his side he would arrange a new date when all the engagements will be solved.

Anyway, I wouldnt blame him that he is a bad promoter and his party end in the hole. You know what. This can happen to everyone, and when it happens it is just on promoter how he deals with money-lost and what priorities he set on all the payments he still needs to deal with.

Nobody likes no-receiving money for the job, but it can happen so next time be safe with contract in your hand and in case of int.national gig you always can have some deposit stated.

[Komplex]

its funny how they leave out a few details. it should be something like this:

"sorry mate, I can't pay you cus we barely broke even. We spent all the profits on coke/meth/pills... and you're not as important as coke, meth or pills"

[rhythmtech]

its funny how they leave out a few details. it should be something like this:

"sorry mate, I can't pay you cus we barely broke even. We spent all the profits on coke/meth/pills... and you're not as important as coke, meth or pills"

[DannyBlack]

promoting is one them things, sometimes your up, sometimes your down. but the main thing is to always pay the agreed price to the talent, and look after em.
Baz, i hope you punched them in the face. coz i would have.

[rhythmtech]

promoting is one them things, sometimes your up, sometimes your down. but the main thing is to always pay the agreed price to the talent, and look after em.
Baz, i hope you punched them in the face. coz i would have.

not my style m8..

im a lover not a fighter :cheese:

but ye.. when i played for you there was no question about the money.. you lot just sorted it and that was that. respect.

[RDR]

At the Pure Techno nights we ALWAYs (AFAIK i dont deal with the money...) pay our acts we book.

its the residents that take the hit if the door doesnt go well

Dirty Bass - For me though, a gig is 1-3 weeks work building a pa, so I do tend to get a little irate if ****ed about...

i know what you mean, a live PA has a lot more work in it than a DJ set. and its a culmination of weeks of work and experimentation.

i dont play the same live set twice, it seems like cheating.

[DannyBlack]

not my style m8..

im a lover not a fighter :cheese:

but ye.. when i played for you there was no question about the money.. you lot just sorted it and that was that. respect.

you guys earned it tho in all fairness!:;

[dirty_bass]

i dont play the same live set twice, it seems like cheating.

Well, I feel the same, turning up and banging on some records is one thing, but building a pa for a gig is actually hard work (unless you just play all pre-recorded tracks, naughty naughty). It`s highly rewarding though when it works right? which makes it all worth while.

[RDR]

Well, I feel the same, turning up and banging on some records is one thing, but building a pa for a gig is actually hard work (unless you just play all pre-recorded tracks, naughty naughty). It`s highly rewarding though when it works right? which makes it all worth while.

+1

also i reckon i would get bored if it was the same over and over..
anyway... thats something for another part of the forum.

[wenna]

doesnt make much differance how big you are when theres 3/4 lads organising a night with 5 or 6 bouncers from the club to back them up :whoops:

it does when your sos, have you seen the size of him???

[dan the acid man]

it does when your sos, have you seen the size of him???

he's only 3ft tall though, so it makes his arms look bigger:cheese:

[BRADLEE]

and b4 anyone thinks im being a "diva"

i have played many many times for nothing but transport (and i've done so for quite a few people on this board.

i've turned down the full amount from promoters just so that we could ALL leave with a bit of cash in our pockets.

i've played many gigs for a lot less than i should just so a promoter can pay a hefty fee for a headline dj..

and i've no problem doing this because the people i do it for a) treat me well on other occasions - b) wont let me buy a drink if im doing them a favour and c) make sure all my costs are covered and make sure that im not out of pocket for helping them out..


but last night was a complete and utter pisstake. :whoops:


anyway big shouts out to the artists that have to take a cut in their wages because of shoddy promoters.. i've played gigs with a good few of you.. you know who you aer and you deserve respect for keeping a level head..

and a big shout out to all you promoters that treat your artists good.. you know who you are.

the rest of you chancers can **** right off.. if making money off the back of someone elses work is all you care about then you have no place on our scene.

Nah I'd be pissed to Baz. **** that mate. If someone is supposed to pay you a flat amount, that doesn't change because they as the promoters didn't do a good enough job promo'ing they're event. That really isn't at all your fault.

Man I've dealt with this a number of times locally as well in the passed. Now I just know which promoters are actually cool and which ones only care for themselves. So it's now just a loss on the bad people's behalf.

50 pounds isn't shit man...especially for any producer out there who spends so much time, money, and effort making tracks and buying gear or records. All of these things equal money....

time=money
gear=money
records=money

there for

gigs+dj/producer=Pay the man dammit!!!!!!!

[dirty_bass]

it does when your sos, have you seen the size of him???

Size means nothing.
Best bouncer I ever worked with was 5ft 6" and a wirey little fecker too.
He dropped many a big meathead iron lifter without even taking a breath.

Best not go down the violence route against promoters unless you are really sure of yourself, if they have the bouncers on their side, you gotta remember those people drop skulls for a living. And in my experience, for the most part, they enjoy a good ruck.

[The Overfiend]

Size means nothing.
Best bouncer I ever worked with was 5ft 6" and a wirey little fecker too.
He dropped many a big meathead iron lifter without even taking a breath.

Best not go down the violence route against promoters unless you are really sure of yourself, if they have the bouncers on their side, you gotta remember those people drop skulls for a living. And in my experience, for the most part, they enjoy a good ruck.

Agreed, in my bouncing experience you always looked forward to the cocky sonofab*tch who wants a quick melee. I don't think people realize their mentality is to try to fight and hold stance and knock someone out. A bouncer on the other hand has free reign to make things end as quickly as possible, and are trained in liability arts. Meaning the art of throwing you into a table and saying you tripped over a drink during the rumble. Since the other bouncers and the owner and promoter are in cahoots, they will all coaborate the story. Last time I was in a squabble my objective was to end it as quickly as possible. As far as getting stabbed if you see it coming on a definite you want to use your arms as a blocking apparatus, what's a few cuts when your organs being impacted could kill you. Plus chicks love scars man.