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How much do solo artists get paid?

Artist and gig type Another factor in determining a fair rate for an artist would be the type of artist and size of their act. Here is a general idea of the different types of artists and a minimum hourly rate idea: Solo: $100.00 – $150.00 p/h. Duo: $200.00 – $250.00 p/h.

muso.live - How Much Should Musicians Get Paid in 2022? - Muso

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Paying your musicians can be confusing and awkward in the best of times, let alone in 2022 when we’re right amidst a Covid gig-economy. While there are unspoken understandings within the industry regarding the rates we pay our musicians, the fact remains, no matter how times pass, our artists should be paid, fairly. Especially now when they need it the most. Here at Muso, we believe it should be as fair and easy as possible for both artists and venue owners when artists are being booked.

On our Muso platform, we do thing’s a little differently

Venue managers set their budget Muso app, taking a different approach to the industry’s regular approach. Muso does this to allow new venues to enter the live music game without risking a massive impact on their bottom line. This may mean that the budget is below our guide. This is fine on the Muso platform, just be aware that musicians may not show interest in your gig first, and that you may sacrifice on the experience of the musician. The average pay for musicians according to Payscale two years ago was $72.59 per hour. This rate dropped significantly to $66.57 when most gigs came to a halt. For the sake of this article, we’re going to discuss rates in a general sense, as Muso considers accurate, and advises across the Australian music industry. This figure incorporates all work surrounding the gig and shouldn’t be the gig rate itself.

Our recommended gig rates are:

Solo: $100.00 – $150.00 p/h

Duo: $200.00 – $250.00 p/h

Trio: $300.00 – $350.00 p/h

Band (4-6 members): 2 full 1 hour sets = $500.00 – $700.00

Big Band: $750.00 – $900.00

DJ: $80.00 – $150.00 p/h

It’s generally a rule of $100-$150 per artist per hour.

Beyond that, we’ve put together this guide as a general rule of thumb to help you when calculating your gig fees. Be aware that multiple factors can come into play when calculating how much to pay any musician for a gig, there is no simple answer and it usually differs from artist to artist.

1. External Factors

These are some elements of every job that need to be taken into consideration when booking an artist. The gig is one thing, but multiple other factors come into play when working out fair payment.

Travel Time

How far do your musicians have to travel? Are you in a central location or further away from the CBD? Musicians need to pay for petrol and public transport fares too. If you’re not in a CBD location, factor in a travel fee to the rate. Usually it’s about $30.00 per hour of travel, with accommodation costs if it’s a late trek back.

Equipment

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Do the musicians need to bring all of their own gear or will you as the venue provide a basic setup? The less the musicians have to bring the easier and more cost-effective. Artists may have to hire equipment, especially if you’re hiring a PA or DJ decks. PA’s may cost them anywhere between $70.00 and $250.00 to hire per night depending on the quality.

Length of Performance

How long are your musicians required to play for? How many sets? How long is each set? Longer sets usually have a higher pay rate because it requires the artist to dig deeper into their repertoire.

It also takes a toll on energy levels.

Level of Experience

Is the musician you hired a beginner or a seasoned veteran? The more experienced the higher the pay rate. More on that below.

Specific Requests

Are you asking the artist to go above and beyond? If artists have to learn a new song you need to factor in rehearsal time. If they are a part of a special moment take into account what it requires and compensate for it in their rate.

2. Experience

The musician’s level of experience will also factor into the overall rate for compensation. It can be broken into 3 categories:

Beginner

This performer is very new to the live gigging scene. They may be fresh students or a young performer who loves their craft. These types of musicians won’t expect a very large pay rate, moreover, they are super excited to be paid for something they love and will likely be just as talented. As such they are perfect for entry-level venues looking for new musicians. They do still need to be paid, however.

Experienced

This Muso has been gigging live for a few years now and knows what they’re doing. They are very talented musicians who take their craft seriously and may be studying music or have been performing for a long time. This Muso will be more costly than a beginner but will be happy to walk away with a couple of hundred for their time and effort.

Professional

This musician is a seasoned veteran and makes a living from their craft. They have been performing their whole lives, have a dedicated following, and put on a great show. They will be very well prepared and aware of the process. This type of musician will expect a higher rate than your average performer but will be a worthwhile investment.

3. Artist and gig type

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Another factor in determining a fair rate for an artist would be the type of artist and size of their act. Here is a general idea of the different types of artists and a minimum hourly rate idea:

Solo: $100.00 – $150.00 p/h

Duo: $200.00 – $250.00 p/h

Trio: $300.00 – $350.00 p/h

Band (4-6 members) 2 full 1 hour sets: $500.00 – $700.00

Big Band: $750.00 – $900.00

DJ: $80.00 – $150.00 p/h

Each act will change in price and the larger the group the more expensive. A fair rate would be that each musician in the group can walk away with $150-$200 each. However, the length of their performance also comes into play. For example, a solo performer playing 2 one-hour acoustic sets would usually be paid $200 for their time as a base rate. For a full 5-piece band playing two 45 minute sets would be given anywhere between $700-$800 as a base rate, also factoring in the amount of equipment needed.

The type of gig should also be considered into the final cost.

A simple acoustic performance at a bar is a standard gig for any musician. However, a wedding or large performance in a band room takes a lot of rehearsal time, material, and preparation therefore should be compensated fairly.

Paying your artists is important, especially within a reasonable time.

Most use it as a supplement to their income or in a lot of cases use it as their main form of income. $100.00 an hour may seem steep in comparison with rates of other industries, but you have to remember that musicians spend a lot of time around your gig rehearsing, refining and preparing. The level of energy that goes into that hour dictates the rate. Always consider the value a musician or DJ is bringing to your venue and make sure that is reflected in your rates.

muso.live - How Much Should Musicians Get Paid in 2022? - Muso

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