NWB - Community Blog

In theory, yes. However getting three gigs a week is easier said than done, the whole 'well-paid covers acts' market is well over-subscribed.

Mmmm interesting...in hindsight I'd love to play drums for a living but it'd have to be on a much larger scale than what I do now for me to quit my job, both financially and venue-wise.

Either an established signed originals band, a successful touring tribute band or perhaps playing for a large theatre production. I once got asked to play drums in a musical production at Albert halls Bolton: there were something like 14 dates over Xmas, the pay for the actual theatre nights was good but the criteria was 6 weeks rehearsals leading up at only £150/week....I had to decline. The problem with those kind of jobs as well is there's no guarantee of work once a production has finished, then when there is you've got to be vailable at the drop of a hat.

The other side to all this is how much you enjoy your full time job...I know most people will say they dont but I actually do. I work hard which in turn earns me well and also get to see the world doing it. Point being that, its OK to say we do this now for the love of doing because its a hobby thats fine...but for your livelyhood (and no offence to anyone actually doing it) mmmm I don't think I could, unless as I said, it'd be on a much larger scale.

Cheers
Dean.

i made that decision at the age of 30, now im 43 and have never looked back, in my honest opinion it comes down to having the bottle to do it, i worked part time jobs for 4 years to try and do it, and all it did was get in the way. when i put all my time into music it simply flew, its a hard game pal but better than any job ive ever had, im in two bands and do solo work,also teach 5 kids and do music with special needs twice a week. you can earn at least what your on now pal, self employment [solo trader] is not that daunting. loads of benifits. if you wanna chat send me your number. if any says you cant make a livin out of music tell to fckoff. YOU CAN.

Yes and there are quite a few people doing it. People that do it have to also give music lessons during the day, do studio sessions/radio jingles, theatre work etc to make ends meet. Those that do it are generally playing the WMC and circuit and some holiday camps etc.

Would love to but it's risky and I couldn't chance it.... Especially with the way things are going gigs aren't always guaranteed and you still have bills to pay at the end of the day.. My mortgage alone is almost £650 a month and then there's tons of bills on top.

I'd like to think that gigging is a nice way of being able to afford new instruments, strings and a bit more beer money to be honest but that's my opinion.. However I definetly admire people who chase the dream and stick 2 fingers up to the usual mundane way of life..

Always reminds me of when Homer from the Simpsons packs in his job to get his dream job at the bowling alley and then Marge gets pregnant and he has to beg for his old job back! :)

Shaun

@Shaun, that exactly what held me back for toooo many years, i understand people who gig for fun, also understand people who gig as a part of there income. the work and money is there to be had. fact. as for some people opinion on what they THINK you have to do simply me makes me smile. you can find a lot more reasons not to do it than do it. anyone can.

I did it a few years back...had worked in a factory for 20 odd years and went out driving wagons at night just to pay the bills. It all got too much when I had an accident and was off work for 7 months..I decided then that I would do something I enjoyed for a living... As Billy said , its just having the bottle to do it...It really is the best job in the world..and I wish I'd done it 20 years ago. There is work out there for those who are prepared to look for it..be it gigging , teaching or as I do make up backing tracks .
theres any number of things you can do to subsidise your decision even down to part time jobs..you'll never be here again so be happy with what you do now....don't let naysayers put you off. I'm not well off , but I pay my bills and I have a smile on my face when I go to work..priceless...

It's discussions like this that make me realise "I wish I had learnt to read music sooner"
A couple of Bass Players I know play the Cruise Ships. Winter in the Carribbean, Summer in the Med. Working between 6 Weeks and 3 Months at a time. OK the guys can Sight Read and I can at least find my way around a transcription. Just wish I had knuckled down sooner.

I wish It could, been there and tried it once but never again.

it can be done ...but tho less work hours you have to keep chasing yr tail to keep that income coming in + no holiday pay and any time off is money lost .......!!!

nope, but it takes your mind off it for a few hours :-(

dont forget your tax n ni outta yer £28k too unless you adopt the fook em approach ;-)

never use the fook em approach, they always catch up in the end...do it as a self employed musician...loads of advise and help if you look for it..
I have been doing it full time for about 8 or 9 years now and have never looked back...

If you're motivated - YES!!!

if you're a lazy bar steward - Sadly NO!!

Declare yourself or the taxman will catch up with you............ or some jealous bar steward will grass you up!

No holiday pay - no sickness benefit - but being your own boss is FANTASTIC
............ and then you have the wife teeling you what to do with all those free days you have!

Max

Join/form a good (popular) tribute...it can be done if you work hard at it.

looks like there's a niche for a nwb home for gigging musicians!

low rent, plenty of soundproofed rooms, communal eating areas etc..... it's the future lol!

Mick

Done it twice, both for periods of about two years. Then went back to work to settle the mountain of debt that built up.
Couldn`tdo it now unless Led Zep wanted a singer, that might just about cover my mortgage payments....only just though.

count me in !