I was part of an interesting conversation recently where the owner of a brewery was talking about the challenges of having live music. They talked about how people will see “free music” but don’t purchase anything and so they don’t recoup the cost of the band/sound engineer. They say they would never have a cover, which is understandable being that it is a brewery not a venue. Pay is already pretty low, even in places where the community says they value music/musicians. What are some ideas to help these folks find a way to increase revenue on show nights?
Maxx Smith: Minimum drink purchase is something I’ve heard they do at comedy shows. Also suggested donations for entry to the show (like $10 suggested donation) is a nice way to try and recoup some costs as well.
Rick DT: If I knew I’d be rich
Kevin Kirkpatrick: Seems odd that a brewery does not sell any drinks when live music is playing. That goes against anything I’ve seen. Unless the brewery sucks… | Anonymous: Brewery is family friendly so some of the underage crowd shows up. Sometimes the music is on slower nights as an attempt to bring more people in. A variety of factors I think. | Eric Fischer: … family friendly breweries kill the vibe of any live band I feel. No one wants to let loose next to a child
Travis Lee Ragan: Book bands that people want to see and charge a cover. People still want to have a good time. Band keeps 100% of door, bar keeps concessions. | Tyson Murray: who pays the sound guy? The ticket / door guy? | TLR: still a house issue. That’s why you don’t book bands that do not draw. Trust me, I’ve been booking concerts of all sizes for almost 20 years
Sound tech $150
Door guy $100
200 people come to see the band. $20 a head on concessions. $4,000.
After restocks and taxes. $2,400. – $250 = $2,150…
[200 people?” ROFLMAO!!! If your band is pulling that number, you’re doing something right!]
Nathan Gilcrest: I’ve seen places like that (a brewery is not really a venue) do “bring your own sound”. Bands bring their own PA, and are their own sound guy. If it’s a place that is dead set on not charging a cover, I could see this working. Some bands are happy to do this, but I suspect the ones that are actually good at it would likely charge more, so then we’re back to the same dilemma
David Wayne: My solution – give them a duo act that fits quietly in the corner and doesn’t cost a lot. It’s not a “show” at all, and it doesn’t need to be. Smaller venues will hire musicians as an add-on for their atmosphere but don’t have the money or space to hire a band as a featured act.
Sean Gould: Offer free beer and a $20 cover?
Jerry Lee: My band just played a brewery a few weeks ago and we had to supply our own PA and soundman and we were paid. It’s a third of what we normally get paid and it went towards paying the sound guy and covering everybody’s gas money since most of us lived down in Castle rock and Aurora. But the place was packed and the bar did well. So it just depends on what you’re playing.
Janessa Roche: Older people don’t buy drinks. We have this problem with open mic. Younger bands imo
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