How Often Do You Gig These Days ?

[gillman royce]

[QUOTE=GAT;10689644]Not many these days. Years ago I played 2-6 nights a week, 50 weeks a year. Once I went back to school and got a career the pitiful money and the hassles of hauling gear, staying up late, smokey bars, drunk people, and flaky musicians have made it to where playing 10 gigs a year is my max. I mainly take gigs that are outdoor festival type gigs or the random opening act thing. Playing bars is almost out of the question for me.
QUOTE]
Amen to that. There seems to be a cycle, especially if you stay " past the pull date ". One of my buds who recorded half a dozen LPs for major labels during the '70's & '80's told me two years ago " I always thought I'd be able to play til whenever. I never thought I'd reach a point where I didn't want to but I did." I almost cried.

[mvd18969]

The band I am in gigs about once every 4-6 weeks which is fine with everyone. That was one of the deciding factors when I joined the band. I'm in my mid 40s and I'm amazed at the number of guys my age and up who want to gig every weekend and practice 1-2x per week.

[V-Type]

I play 1-2 gigs a month mainly because we all work and its tougher too find nights we All can get out.
When one guy is a on the road salesman and another pulls the swing shift at a car assembly plant things can get dicey even when determing a practice day.
And in this economy you just cant take days off anymore.

[B Money]

12 to 18 a year, typically. Anymore than that and it ruins the fun factor. I need to balance my musical life with my family & work life and that's about all I care to try and squeeze in.

[Alister]

Twice a year is my goal, although I played I think 5 last year.

Once each with former bandmates, old guy reunion gigs. Enough people remember us to make it worthwhile and very enjoyable.

As someone else said, PA/sound guy/monitors provided. Show up, tune up, play, have a few drinks with great old friends, leave, home by midnight, 5 minute drive.

Also, we hire a pro-level drummer each time, and pay him; the rest of us are 'paid' in enjoyment and renewed friendships. Can't find any of our old drummers anyway. Don't want to that badly, either.

[jads57]

It definitely isn't like times past! It seems to be more of a hobby for people these days as opposed to a proffesion. My guess is the following> 1.) There are more choices for entertainment as well as the entertainers don't rely on musicians as they used to (kareoke,backing tracks,etc.)
2.) Bars don't need to pay bands due to all the hobbyists who will do it for next to nothing $. And you can't blame the bar, because these bands bring in the same amount or more people!
Unfortunately musicians are becoming like dinasours, and it's really bad for classical orchestras as well. They have resorted to light shows and playing tribute shows to Led Zepplin as well. Nothing against Led Zepplin, but that is really sad!

[rgsss14]

2-3x a month with the last band I was in....

Currently 0..... too busy with the job but hopefully this will change sometime in the future....

[HHB]

I do pit work. I've got 8 shows a week til october

[SyKrash]

3-4 nights a week. Top 40, Sideman gigs, etc.

[Lucidology]

Originally Posted by HHB

I do pit work. I've got 8 shows a week til october

Excellent ...

Originally Posted by SyKrash

3-4 nights a week. Top 40, Sideman gigs, etc.

Almost the same here ... though I do a lot of soft jazz gigs ..

& then just adding to that as the months go by & the gigs reel in ...
Started off this year booked (contracted) with 208 steady gigs (average about 4-5 gigs weekly ...)

(now that's not counting Studio work, which I actually consider a gig at the end of the year ...)

[gillman royce]

bump

[RupertB]

We average 4 a month. Would be more but we make a point of blocking out weekends for vacations, family time, etc. on a regular basis.

This is about the same as the past 4-5 years. We play low-maintenance duo gigs at a half-dozen restaurant/pubs and a handful of private parties.

[DeeDub]

It's at 3 to 4 gigs a week for me right now, and that's pretty much how I like it! Every Thu-Fri-Sat with the occasional Wed or Sun thrown in for good measure.

[prsflame]

This year, maybe 10 tops.

From 1996-2009, I played anywhere from 50-200 shows per year. Traveled all over the country to perform, as well as Europe/Mexico/Cruise ships. Signed to Sony records (and dropped) with 2 different bands during this time period.

Is age a factor? Absolutley! I'm 39, and my priorities have totally shifted. I'd rather spend my weekends with friends and family, than lugging gear in and out of a club, or driving home at 3AM. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm in a different place now. I enjoy playing out less as a sub guitarists for quality bands/projects I can pick and choose.

[Tuberoast]

2 or 3 weekends per month, peppered with 1 or 2 one nighters. We play pretty much what we want as well. I have a full-time day job.