The MU has been categorically against ‘pay-to-play’ gigs since their emergence many years ago. These deals typically involved musicians being forced to buy large quantities of tickets for their own gig, which they would then have to try and sell to punters. The role of promotion was, in effect, transferred to the musicians, often leaving them out-of-pocket, playing to empty venues, and struggling to use gigs as a way to expand their fanbase and profile.
We are going to run a series of blog posts under the title of “The Fair Play Guide” that offer advise for grassroots bands on the topic of co-promotion deals.
Look out for tomorrows post.
What’s your view on Pay to Play?
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Pay to Play has to be one of the worst things to happen on the grassroots live music scene.
For bands to be expected to buy tickets AND promote AND perform is quite incredible, as it is ridiculous and so Im glad to see over recent years the type of deal is becoming less and less common.
Good on the MU for writing this guide, looking forward to reading the posts.
BTW, can we get a download of the guide?
Hi, Trumpet Dave.
Fair Play will be available from 24th April, following its official launch at this event in Newcastle: http://bit.ly/HolBcV
It will be available for download, or you can get a printed copy, if you drop me a line: kw1@themu.org
Best wishes,
Kelly.
Thanks for your input Kelly.
I would just like add that we will be making the download available from this website too and also from our http://www.facebook.com/Music.Supported.Here
Thanks,
Steve Nelson