How Much Should A Band Get Paid In Singapore?

[Roze23]

Let say there is a good and tight 5 piece band (vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and drummer) with 2 years of experience in live performance but not considered as a professional band yet.

What is the average amount should they get paid to perform for events, weddings or even gigs in Singapore?

Some normal people said, bands/musicians should not ask for much and music should be cheap but should't the money cover the cost such as:

1)Transportation
2)Jamming/Practicing sessions
3)Usage of personal instruments
4)Performance duration
5)Number of musicians
6)Years of experiences and Popularity?

What do you thinks as a musician and performer?

 

[Tom Sawyer]

OH Okay good time during 80's 90's local bands survived here.. and Asia, Europe tour.perform on cruise, club hotel lounge making a living with music industries.

Unlike now time changed + situation... they goes bottom line in everything pertaining to this industries. they don't really appreciate how good the band...include the audiences, they more to food center everywhere. whaaaaa hahahahaha. LMFAO.

Most of the good musicians here still have to work seeks for stable income, to me I had passed the good time previously in 80's and now just to fill my gap with some other musicians. for passion.

It's hard time now all over the world. saturated. I 'm sharing my previous moments as a musician. and say excuse me, or sorry if this conversation offence anyone's my dear friends. just to be sincere from bottom's of my heart,what is base on fact
what exactly the musicians faced now.

Without Prejudice !!!


Have a good day

Thanks Good Luck.

 

[hecklerkoch]

Sadly it all boils down to dollars and cents.

Are the audiences paying for the performances?

If not, who is going to foot the bill for the entertainment?

Unless you are a popular recording artiste, who would want to watch you and pay for it?

Thus, only if it's properly organized (let's say in a good venue, and tickets are sold beforehand and there are people who come to support) - other than that, people will say that it's cheaper to go to St James and watch the bands in Dragonfly.

More entertaining, and got chiobu too.

 

[Roze23]

I understand that but what really concern me is that there are musician/band doesn't have the pride to set a standard for themselves. And i know some of them are really entertaining. They gladly accept $100 for 45min set in performance. Some even worse, they accept playing for free.

If we roughly calculate, 5hrs of jamming can cost about $80. Transportation cost about $5/person for 2 trips ($20/4 person).
Total cost $100. So what about performance time, food, ect. ?

 

[Ang3L]

Son..

1. We don't decide whether we are an ass-tight band & a "worth paying for" band. There are just too many wannabe band out there. No offence!
2. Decide for yourselves whether your doing it as a hobby/passion/past time or livinghood. But I personally, recommend that you don't even think of doing it for a living. Look around on how many local bands out there struggling!!
3. Don't ask for too much less you build up on your reputation's first.

Hope it helps.

Gd luck, anyway, buddy.


*Ang3L

 

[aquanaut]

Let say there is a good and tight 5 piece band (vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and drummer) with 2 years of experience in live performance but not considered as a professional band yet.

What is the average amount should they get paid to perform for events, weddings or even gigs in Singapore?

the average amount you should ask for is - possible 2 day / week at a pub or lounge - $100 to $150 per night / person.

Some normal people said, bands/musicians should not ask for much and music should be cheap but should't the money cover the cost such as:

1)Transportation

today's standard is just one price, no transport or food factored in if you play in a pub. if you do play in a hotel i.e. functions, weddings you can arrange for food and drinks but make sure you have no alcoholics/drunkards in the band or you would be in trouble if the drummer (eg) falls flat just before you start the second set..

2)Jamming/Practicing sessions

jamming and practise is your own time and money. so it better to 'tangkap' the songs properly by ear or transcribe notes and use less time in the studio to nail the tune.
you will not look professional if you have that huge music stand in front of your body and blocking the audience view of you...

3)Usage of personal instruments

when you are charging money for your work you are a professional. all professional musicians have their own personal gear.equipment and effects. some have their own PA but most clubs have their own sound equiptment. hotels on the other hand have to rent. as the band performing you have to recommend or insist on what you need for the gig. most of the time its basic PA , 2 guitar amps, bass map, keyboard amp, keyboard mixer, drums.
it helps if you know the renter like BOONs, Sam from Wee Lee...so yo can negotiate the better stuff...and try not to profiteer from the deal..

4)Performance duration

pub gigs - three 45 minute sets with at least 15 minutes break in between.

functions - 3 or 4 fortyfive setsand breaks may vary as they have games to play in between, speeches...usually after the lucky draw all will disperse and band can go back..do not forget to get payment from organiser...

weddings- about 3 sets - 1st set dinner classics (jazz) , 2nd set pre arranged wedding couples dance then party music followed by disco and last set party music til the couple leaves...payment is usually by the couples parents , uncle or best man.

5)Number of musicians

2 for acoustic, 4 for party band but 4 +1 girl frontline is best , also helps if all can sing.

6)Years of experiences and Popularity?

does not matter if you have 3 months or 25 years. all you need to be is proficient with your gear, confidence, dressing and smile.

popularity? if the band is great and professional people will look for you for gigs.

What do you thinks as a musician and performer?

thinks? - because we are muicians we are entertainers, so we have to entertain, you are already professional as you are charging payment for your service.
as entertainers we have to entertain as we are on stage and tlhe paying audience is watching, so we have to do our job and not behave like we are doing the audience a favour...

 

[aquanaut]

thinks? - because we are muicians we are entertainers, so we have to entertain, you are already professional as you are charging payment for your service.
as entertainers we have to entertain as we are on stage and tlhe paying audience is watching, so we have to do our job and not behave like we are doing the audience a favour...

ai yah...not point discussing this topic.

we all should just play for free and piss off the audience...

 

[logicdroid]

If you can convince management or your client that you've got all the goods to pull in the crowd, I'm sure you would be able to put a price tag on your band. My band started with everyone drawing $1.8/mth. That is ridiculous. But we had a clause in our contract that basically said there would be pay reviews if we lived up to what we've promised. Before our contract had expired, we had Dennis Foo and Deen Shahul head hunting for us. And by then, we were each drawing close to $3k.

The band did not drink itself to death but practice really hard, made loads of friends and gain fans who even attended our outdoor events. As for weddings and such, go between $200-$300 and go make the party happen by putting your soul into the performance. You will make your mark and hence be able to command for more. No one likes a shy performer. You have to be bold. Take pride in what you do, undercut to put one foot in. Once you are in the loop, make yourself heard, only then will things really come together.

What a lot of people do not see behind the scenes.... The management's agenda. If you are performing and all your supporters turn up and each drink till the barrels are all gone, you got yourself a job even if you don't want it... They will come for your band with an offer when they see potential to reach into the pockets of your fans.. Otherwise don't expect people to throw money at ya.

 

[willbassyeahindo]

last time i get paid for opening up new year eve at woodlands its $50 bucks LOL...

this issue is not only applicable in singapore, i read other "music" forum where this issue is also applicable in many other countries. i know in indonesia you can hired a band for around $800 for like 2-3 hours and that is a full 3 to 4 piece band, haha guess we need to look at the demand of the local band too.

My view of the Singapore music scene
Singapore music is almost non existence in the eyes of normal singaporean, i am talking about the <=90% of the population here- to proof this, randomly ask people how many of them listen to singaporean bands, electrico, etc etc, that just mean that there is lesser demand for singapore music, but you should know that there are plenty of supplies of bands in singapore, proof-> soft.com, a lot of bands are advertising in here as what you can see everyday.

Thus, supply>demand= lower price. common economic formula. honestly wad singapore band should do is to expand their music, in other forums such as Philippines, malaysia, and indonesia, where we can get more demand there