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On a positive and creative note.

Filed Under : Other

Posted By : Neil Aspinall | Comments : 26

Let's think about how to up the dosh


Enough has been said now (including from me) about how much we deserve, need, want, venues can afford etc, so I though as the concensus of opinion is venues can't or are unwilling to pay more, bands would like more, what ways can we collectively think of (and that includes venues and fans) to put a few more quid in the bands pockets and or the venues tills.

I'll start with;
- For the band - Pass a hat round just before last number or when the audience are baying for "MORE".. if they truly enjoyed the gig folk could stump up a quid, you may get another £50 if your lucky.
- For the venue - Band gives 50% of hat to the venue.

- Band and Venue work on a joint theme night as a one off but also with other venues, a classic rock theme night, fancy dress, half hour of 1970's bar prices (in conjunction with brewery), well advertised and promoted.

- Put on a basic buffet (said it before) believe me it works, helps the venue and covers cost especially if band brings butties and nibbles, venue does cake. Can be done for around £30.

- Venue charges an "exit" fee.. if punters leave early charge em 50p as a laugh and do it as a reverse entrance fee. Optional of course whether they pay but most people will put in if they see the funny side of it.

- Venue charge for using the smoking area, call it a cleaning up fee again optional but explain that it costs to provide the area and to keep it cig butt free, most won't take any offence or "go somewhere else".

- Venue look for a local business to sponsor your live nights, most car franchises will stump up £50 for a weekend of advertising, again I've seen it done.

- Band - do the above, again I've seen it done with a local music shop.

Any others you can think of?

Suggest trying a few and report what the results, it may be a pain to get it done but could also be treated as a bit of fun for everyone.

Neil

Neil

Comments

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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 09:25 (GMT)

Some good ideas there mate. I think there are at least a couple of venues out there already doing a couple of these (Hindley Arms for one).


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# Posted by Jez (Route 69) - 31/01/2012, 10:00 (GMT)

+1 with the food. We go and watch armchair football at a pub (like many others in the same area) purely because they brought sarnies round at half time.


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 31/01/2012, 10:21 (GMT)

Charge non smokers for indoor comfortable seats....call it a charge for heating and not being forced to get soaking wet stood outside underneath a tatty perspex roof.

Cakes to be brought by band...I can cook a nice cake to put smiles on people's faces, cut the aggro and make the music sound lush :)


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# Posted by Navigation Road - 31/01/2012, 10:49 (GMT)

Find your own room and sell tickets. We did one last year and sold 150 tickets for £2 each. About 120 actually turned up, but what a belting nite. We had a young band supporting us and a guy doing acoustic stuff in between. Great night.


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 31/01/2012, 11:13 (GMT)

Is a MU member seriously suggesting the band make butties and take them to a gig..pass a hat round?......hahaha...has it come to this?
Must tell the Halle next time they have a quiet night...turn the percussionists gong over and use it as a wok!

If you wanna know how to make more money...go solo!


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 11:43 (GMT)

Alec, this is the positives blog. Arguments is next door.


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# Posted by Dom Blair - Tsunami69 - 31/01/2012, 11:46 (GMT)

No it isn't.......


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 11:47 (GMT)

Uh oh


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# Posted by HAPPY DAIZE - 31/01/2012, 11:48 (GMT)

Alec, you ain't using my gong as a wok!
lmao

Rob


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# Posted by Tubthumper - 31/01/2012, 11:50 (GMT)

Crikey that really would throw the drumming world into a frenzy - to clean or not to clean the wok/cymbal/gong....


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 11:52 (GMT)

Hahahah. I get growled at for mentioning duraglit :oO


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# Posted by Dom Blair - Tsunami69 - 31/01/2012, 11:57 (GMT)

For Sale - well seasoned and regularily oiled gong - fantastic deep tone, makes superb Paella.......


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 12:03 (GMT)

Tone is in the tumeric.


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 31/01/2012, 12:08 (GMT)

On a positive note...Aldi butter can save you quite a bit of money over Lurpak when making the butties. The Bratwurst sausages at Lidl are quite good value. Don't forget to add extra salt to make the customers more thirsty and drink more.

When passing hat round, always start off with some of your own fivers in it, that way the first few people will feel obliged to follow suit.

A 'joint theme night' is a very good idea! :) Make sure bar is well stocked with Rizzlas.

PS For worried gong chefs, I find a few squirts of Flora light spray works best...in fact since Rob started leaving his gong in van I've had quite a few fry-ups in it and he hasn't noticed anything. Be careful with the brillo pad when cleaning though as it will affect the pitch.

PPS Every band should have a gong to announce the butties are ready and being served..like in all good B & B's.


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 31/01/2012, 12:13 (GMT)

PPPS Gong bands can also charge punters to have a go on it with their pics being taken. Indeed only last weekRob our drummer was asked by a young lady if she could have a go. Presume thats what she said, cos there was some loud background music on, but I presume she was a film buff as I did hear the phrase 'J Arthur Rank'


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# Posted by Steve Wolf - 31/01/2012, 12:42 (GMT)

neil, you should work for the Taxman, lol


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# Posted by T CLOTH - 31/01/2012, 13:19 (GMT)

I don`t know which of those ideas is the worst..

Which planet is this guy from?


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# Posted by Navigation Road - 31/01/2012, 16:33 (GMT)

Actually, charging punters to leave would make us a fortune. :D


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# Posted by Neil Aspinall - 31/01/2012, 17:05 (GMT)

T Cloth ... have you any better ideas, if not shut up!
Most have been tried and tested and poved to work so when someone offers to throw out a lifeline don't complain about the colour of the rope.
N


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# Posted by Bad Horsie (Mick) - 31/01/2012, 17:06 (GMT)

OK, In Neils defence here, he is possibly the most consistently employed member of the music community I've met from this site. I've known him for possibly 15 years now and apart from the bands he's in, he's been in community radio, community music teaching, covers and originals bands and has the most commitment to music I've encountered. He LIVES music and makes his living from it in a successful and diverse manner.

Sometimes we don't agree on issues, but there is nowhere to go if your'e going to slag him down for lack of experience.


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# Posted by DOSE - 31/01/2012, 17:18 (GMT)

Can you bring some of that cake for your next gig at the tavern, Alec ?


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# Posted by Neil Aspinall - 31/01/2012, 17:25 (GMT)

Thankyou Mick for that support its very much appreciated. Alec you missed the trifle in a washing up bowl I once made and brough to the Sabre gig at The Plough, butties supplied by the venue and rest the band... place was packed.
N


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# Posted by NIGHT TRAIN - 31/01/2012, 18:01 (GMT)

Haha...I wouldn't touch any sarnies made by a band and brought into a pub with a barge pole :D

If you wanna make a bit extra in a band, do a cd or dvd, do some t shirts/badges/signed band pics/fridge magnets...you won't find Bob Dylan or Madonna going round with plates of sandwiches at half time.

:)


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# Posted by CJay - 31/01/2012, 18:35 (GMT)

I think there's some great ideas there Neil.Thinking outside the box.

Too many people think band nights have to go a certain way because they're scared something different will drive the punters away. Venues, give something a go and as for the negative comments, if you've any better ideas share them - that's a more constructive way of saying you don't agree.


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# Posted by Roj (Black Rose) - 31/01/2012, 18:42 (GMT)

I was there at The Plough and tasted the Trifle made in a washing up blow, tasted really nice, but spent the rest of the night blowing bubbles (and not Michael Jacksons Chimp, before anybody makes any lewd comments).


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# Posted by The Cottonhouse Shakers - 31/01/2012, 20:52 (GMT)

LOL!!

@Dose - you beat me to it! haha


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