This blog mainly applies to artists who sing in pubs and clubs as a source of income. You will find that when you are an original act, things will work a lot differently with your earnings coming through ticket sales, rather than a set amount. But what should you be charging to do your covers gigs?

There are many variables in place here, solos, duos, bands will obviously have to charge more, depending on how many people are splitting the profits.

Even at the beginning, you should not undervalue yourself. The many hours you have spent on practice and promotion and don’t forget the equipment you have bought. This should at least be reimbursed over a few gigs.

I was told to never perform for free but have fell for a few tricks in the past. “Do this gig free and we will give you a paid shot next time” and “We thought you could do it for the exposure” are the main two. My advice is just “no”.

I’m not too sure how I sit with open mic nights either. You are often performing for free but it does give you a chance to try out new material and the good ones give the better performers a bit of an incentive, be it a small split of their profit or at the very least a free drink.

We will presume you are a solo artist making your way in the pub/club scene. Again there are variables. Friday and Saturday are your main nights. I would say £150 is a minimum but £200 is definitely reasonable. This would be based on two 45 minute sets. Sundays are becoming increasingly popular. £130 for a Sunday afternoon would be a good figure to start with. As you gain a reputation (hopefully for being good or great) the fee you can ask for will obviously rise, sometimes considerably.

Events, such as New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve will bring more money too, £500 and £350 respectively would be a fair price to start at for a good act but you should want to be a great act! I know a guy who won’t go out on NYE for less that £1000. This could be the type of money you can charge once you have the right reputation (as well as good negotiation skills).

£80-£100 would be good for a 45 minute set (I’ve found this to be the same in midweek) but don’t forget you’ll likely need to lug your equipment there and back.

If you decided to go through an agency, you will likely be paying 10/15% commission but good agencies open doors that are closed to many and I personally think that for the work they do, that that commission is well worth it.

Doing cheap gigs is tempting but you’re hurting your prospects in the long run. If you charge £60 on a Saturday night, you will not only come across as being worth that, but will not be able to go back and ask for £150 next time. Pubs usually communicate well too and it won’t be just that one that knows that you’re a cheap act.

Giving pubs gigs for this price hurts the industry as a whole too. We should be working together to keep this as a possible full-time income. Charge what you think you’re worth, not what somebody else thinks you’re worth and don’t be afraid to walk away. If you go in confidently with a high price, you’re going to come across as an experienced, successful act.