Hey all, hoping you could help me out. I was just wondering what the standard pay is for an Irish band on St. Pat's weekend (we're playing on Saturday March 15th). I've heard 100 per person per hour. Is this true? Would it necessarily be less because it's not St. Patrick's Day proper?
you dont say what currency. Around here bars try and get away with $100 can/person or less.
I have long since decided that you cant pay me enough to play on St Pats day in what passes as an Irish pub in Calgary. I play a weekly session for a couple of beers, but on the 17th i am staying home and listening to Led Zepplin.........
There isn't really one correct answer to this. If you're a great local band that's awfully well-known in the area you can probably ask for a lot more than an enthusiastic bunch of occasional hairy-asses (like me and my mob for example), though quite often the latter will go down much better on St Pat's Day. Life ain't always fair that way. Cornwall is a low-wage economy, and if I thought I could go home with £35 ($70-ish?) in my back pocket and a belly full of free Guinness, along with souvenir silly hat to make my wife scowl at the drunken eejit staggering in at one in the morning from the St Pat's gig, I'd be a happy man. You're a young bodhran-wielding buck and for all I know you may be the best thing since John-Joe. Local reputation and supply and demand are big things in life!
My trio is getting 150 dollars US per person for a one-hour gig that Saturday. Usually we charge 200/per but I got talked into this one.
On St Pat's Day itself it's always 200 per person per hour.
I often make 1000 dollars US that day.
About the belly full of free Guinness, that sounds great, but I never drink while I'm at work, and music is my work, so my St Patrick's Days are always sober. I can't remember when I've had an alcoholic drink on that day- it's probably been 20 years ago at least.
I think you may be showing off, Richard. A lot of people around here are just enthusiastic amateur types who get free beer for their regular sessions, if that. They are hardly going to be able to suddenly go out and demand a hundred quid an hour per person. If you're a pro doing it for a living you're in a different boat.
If you hear of any good paying gigs that day down San Diego way, please drop me an email. I'm pretty sure I'm booked for a party in the evening, but John and I are looking for day gigs.
It's not showing off, just the way it is here. There are a lot of people with money around here, a lot of corporations with money, and they often want to hire Irish music for St Pat's Day.
Most of my gigs are with Highland pipes- go figure!
When I tell clients that I play both the uilleann pipes and Highland pipes, and explain what they look and sound like, they go for the Highland pipes most of the time.
At many of my gigs I alternate between the two and end up educating people about the uilleann pipes.
I usually book one-hour gigs only, at 200 dollars US a pop, and drive from gig to gig, doing as many as seven that day.
In the good old US of A I would charge $2,000 per hour, but then I am a legend.
Back home, when we took it seriously, 10 years ago I remember charging a local pub £500. Nowadays, probably get around £250-300. Mind you, we play every Sunday in this pub so it is a favour type thing.
Given up playing on Paddy's Day as a bad job round here. (Eastern England) Too many clumsy drunks demanding Wild Rover and the Irish Washerwoman....yeah, can get the money if I wanted but it's a real pain in the a*** who needs it? but then I'm lucky I have a day job.
Sooner play for a few beers for people who actually appreciate the music for itself and to celebrate the day proudly for Irishness and what it stands for rather than an excuse for a bad mannered p*ss up.
Same thing on Burn's Night ain't it........or have have I just been unlucky?
To actually answer your question however I would be expecting between 100 and 150 sterling for a St Pat's do in the evening with maybe 50 to 70 sterling for a lunchtime gig plus expenses plus a couple of beers. I'm tempted to say charge whatever the market will bear but if you flay the golden goose the first time.....
Anyway goodluck and have a good time.
sorry hit the button too soon; that should be per person fee and depending on numbers.
Think of it this way, 200 people at 10 pounds a head comes to a lot of money and remember YOU are the entertainment! It's you who are doing the work and payment should reflect that.
standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
Hey all, hoping you could help me out. I was just wondering what the standard pay is for an Irish band on St. Pat's weekend (we're playing on Saturday March 15th). I've heard 100 per person per hour. Is this true? Would it necessarily be less because it's not St. Patrick's Day proper?
Cheers, and thanks.
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by Bard
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
Yes and if everyone would like to buy some tickets from me for this gig i've got er 500 left at £80.00 each rolll up roll up.
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by upmine3
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
you dont say what currency. Around here bars try and get away with $100 can/person or less.
I have long since decided that you cant pay me enough to play on St Pats day in what passes as an Irish pub in Calgary. I play a weekly session for a couple of beers, but on the 17th i am staying home and listening to Led Zepplin.........
# Posted on January 28th 2008 by thorsdog
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
There isn't really one correct answer to this. If you're a great local band that's awfully well-known in the area you can probably ask for a lot more than an enthusiastic bunch of occasional hairy-asses (like me and my mob for example), though quite often the latter will go down much better on St Pat's Day. Life ain't always fair that way. Cornwall is a low-wage economy, and if I thought I could go home with £35 ($70-ish?) in my back pocket and a belly full of free Guinness, along with souvenir silly hat to make my wife scowl at the drunken eejit staggering in at one in the morning from the St Pat's gig, I'd be a happy man. You're a young bodhran-wielding buck and for all I know you may be the best thing since John-Joe. Local reputation and supply and demand are big things in life!
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
My trio is getting 150 dollars US per person for a one-hour gig that Saturday. Usually we charge 200/per but I got talked into this one.
On St Pat's Day itself it's always 200 per person per hour.
I often make 1000 dollars US that day.
About the belly full of free Guinness, that sounds great, but I never drink while I'm at work, and music is my work, so my St Patrick's Days are always sober. I can't remember when I've had an alcoholic drink on that day- it's probably been 20 years ago at least.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Richard D Cook
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
I think you may be showing off, Richard. A lot of people around here are just enthusiastic amateur types who get free beer for their regular sessions, if that. They are hardly going to be able to suddenly go out and demand a hundred quid an hour per person. If you're a pro doing it for a living you're in a different boat.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
Hey Richard,
If you hear of any good paying gigs that day down San Diego way, please drop me an email. I'm pretty sure I'm booked for a party in the evening, but John and I are looking for day gigs.
Cheers,
Michael
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Michael Eskin
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
I am sure to get ten times my normal rate
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
10x0 =.....er ....0
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by bazouki dave and the real tooty flutey
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
£90 each for 3 hours dancing - St Paddys is just like any other Saint's day.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by geoffwright
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
It's not showing off, just the way it is here. There are a lot of people with money around here, a lot of corporations with money, and they often want to hire Irish music for St Pat's Day.
Most of my gigs are with Highland pipes- go figure!
When I tell clients that I play both the uilleann pipes and Highland pipes, and explain what they look and sound like, they go for the Highland pipes most of the time.
At many of my gigs I alternate between the two and end up educating people about the uilleann pipes.
I usually book one-hour gigs only, at 200 dollars US a pop, and drive from gig to gig, doing as many as seven that day.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by Richard D Cook
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
Try playing in Birmingham (U.K) on the St patricks day parade and you and your instrument will get crushed beyond recognition in the mayhem.
# Posted on January 29th 2008 by upmine3
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
In the good old US of A I would charge $2,000 per hour, but then I am a legend.
Back home, when we took it seriously, 10 years ago I remember charging a local pub £500. Nowadays, probably get around £250-300. Mind you, we play every Sunday in this pub so it is a favour type thing.
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
Given up playing on Paddy's Day as a bad job round here. (Eastern England) Too many clumsy drunks demanding Wild Rover and the Irish Washerwoman....yeah, can get the money if I wanted but it's a real pain in the a*** who needs it? but then I'm lucky I have a day job.
Sooner play for a few beers for people who actually appreciate the music for itself and to celebrate the day proudly for Irishness and what it stands for rather than an excuse for a bad mannered p*ss up.
Same thing on Burn's Night ain't it........or have have I just been unlucky?
To actually answer your question however I would be expecting between 100 and 150 sterling for a St Pat's do in the evening with maybe 50 to 70 sterling for a lunchtime gig plus expenses plus a couple of beers. I'm tempted to say charge whatever the market will bear but if you flay the golden goose the first time.....
Anyway goodluck and have a good time.
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by john knoss
Re: standard pay for st. pat's weekend?
sorry hit the button too soon; that should be per person fee and depending on numbers.
Think of it this way, 200 people at 10 pounds a head comes to a lot of money and remember YOU are the entertainment! It's you who are doing the work and payment should reflect that.
# Posted on January 30th 2008 by john knoss