Bad trend through recession

[Ethan01]

I know pay-to-play has been around for some time now, but here in Boston, my band's noticed that bars we used to play at for money are turning to pay-to-play to get bands in. Turns out that they kept letting in less-than-stellar bands (nicest way of putting it, and yes we've heard what they sound like) play who've pretty much emptied the bars! Anyways, I hope it's not a trend that'll stick, as we're pretty against it. We still have some good gigs lined up for Boston and hope this trend doesn't catch to those venues as well.

What's the outlook like in the rest of the country for you gigging bands?

[mrchattr]

I know pay-to-play has been around for some time now, but here in Boston, my band's noticed that bars we used to play at for money are turning to pay-to-play to get bands in. Turns out that they kept letting in less-than-stellar bands (nicest way of putting it, and yes we've heard what they sound like) play who've pretty much emptied the bars! Anyways, I hope it's not a trend that'll stick, as we're pretty against it. We still have some good gigs lined up for Boston and hope this trend doesn't catch to those venues as well.

What's the outlook like in the rest of the country for you gigging bands?

Allot of the bands that we have open for us, etc, have said bookings are getting cancelled or they are getting calls saying that the prices are being slashed. We haven't been affected yet, but we are in high demand...I hope it doesn't change.

I will say this. I am optamistic. During the great depression, and again during the recession in the early 90's, the entertainment industry and alcohol industries were two of the only industries that thrived. People, even when broke, want to see a film, catch a band, and have a drink...anything to relieve the stress of regular life.

[IneptDrummer]

The Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska) has been pretty good to us this winter. We generally just don't play pay-to-play gigs. If you're willing to expand your area and play in a lot of different markets its not too hard to find venues that won't make you sell tickets or anything like that.

I've been touring for a good part of the winter and what I'm noticing is that the b-market towns have been thriving compared to the major cities. A lot more smaller venues popping up in medium sized towns and doing pretty well. We have a very good fanbase in the midwest, and the only A-market places that we can draw well in are Metro and House of Blues in Chicago (hometown). Other than that, we usually do very well sticking to medium sized and college towns.

[dale w miller]

I know pay-to-play has been around for some time now, but here in Boston, my band's noticed that bars we used to play at for money are turning to pay-to-play to get bands in. Turns out that they kept letting in less-than-stellar bands (nicest way of putting it, and yes we've heard what they sound like) play who've pretty much emptied the bars! Anyways, I hope it's not a trend that'll stick, as we're pretty against it. We still have some good gigs lined up for Boston and hope this trend doesn't catch to those venues as well.

What's the outlook like in the rest of the country for you gigging bands?What clubs are doing that?

[Ethan01]

What clubs are doing that?

All Asia and Copperfields to name a couple off the top of my head that did this. Do you play Boston as well?

[dale w miller]

All Asia and Copperfields to name a couple off the top of my head that did this. Do you play Boston as well?On tour I do but I used to live there. I was curious if Lansdowne St or Middle East/TT's had anything to do with this. I really can't see places like PA's or Abby Lounge or the Midway turning out this way.

[Ethan01]

On tour I do but I used to live there. I was curious if Lansdowne St or Middle East/TT's had anything to do with this. I really can't see places like PA's or Abby Lounge or the Midway turning out this way.

We were surprised since we've played all asia and copperfields before and didnt have to deal with selling tickets ever. We even had quite a draw-in crowd at copperfields last time we played! Something like 100 packed the bar and were quite into everything. Maybe they thought we brought them in, so we should bring them in next time? The ironic thing is, we didn't bring anyone in =P. They either walked in from the street (it was Sat night) or stayed from the previous band's playing.

[DrumEatDrum]

I know pay-to-play has been around for some time now, but here in Boston, my band's noticed that bars we used to play at for money are turning to pay-to-play to get bands in. Turns out that they kept letting in less-than-stellar bands (nicest way of putting it, and yes we've heard what they sound like) play who've pretty much emptied the bars! Anyways, I hope it's not a trend that'll stick, as we're pretty against it. We still have some good gigs lined up for Boston and hope this trend doesn't catch to those venues as well.

What's the outlook like in the rest of the country for you gigging bands?

In my observations, that is what tends to happen with pay to play. It's still live here in Los Angeles, but when I lived in San Francisco, the pay to play clubs eventually when out of business because quality never entered into the picture, just which band could get their parents to cover the ticket cost.

[Deltadrummer]

Allot of the bands that we have open for us, etc, have said bookings are getting cancelled or they are getting calls saying that the prices are being slashed. We haven't been affected yet, but we are in high demand...I hope it doesn't change.

I will say this. I am optamistic. During the great depression, and again during the recession in the early 90's, the entertainment industry and alcohol industries were two of the only industries that thrived. People, even when broke, want to see a film, catch a band, and have a drink...anything to relieve the stress of regular life.

And they don't ahve to get up early in the morning anymore. :)

[mrchattr]

And they don't ahve to get up early in the morning anymore. :)

So horrible, so funny, but so true.