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Should Artists Pay to Play?
?
Are you an unsigned artist looking for a way
to get your music heard?
Check out UnTapped Show every 1st & 3rd
Saturday from 4pm - 6pm on KAZI 88.7 FM or visit www.kazifm.org
Enjoy 2-full hours of unsigned "UnTapped" talent!
THE CREW
Jay Hunt
Yannis Banks
DarkScide
Potent Tai
Taylor TooFresh
What is pay-to-play?
Pay To Play is the act of turning in money in order to play a show. It doesn’t matter where the money comes from (out of pocket, through ticket sales, etc) its the act of turning money in before a musician performs that qualifies it as pay-to-play.
This practice is mostly implemented by independent promotion companies. A company that isn’t located in your city rents “dead nights” at local clubs to host P2P events. They typically send flattering spam emails through social media to new bands notifying them of shows they can play, either Battle of the Bands, showcases or “tours”.
Many independent artists do not need pay to play shows as there are an abundant number of clubs that will allow you to play on the days/night in which they are not busy. If you can find a club that will book you on a slow night, take it. Get to know the club owner and the booking agent.
Our opinion is that you save your money and invest in yourself. You should never have to pay to play especially when you can work hard, network, connect with other bands and play in their gigs. If you are thinking of a pay to play gig, reconsider. Why? In order to play these shows, the company expects (or pressures) the bands to sell expensive tickets or turn in money directly. The money is collected during load-in and the band sees no compensation or a very small percentage (usually not more than 20%). The promotion company pays the club rent and takes the biggest profit for themselves with very little effort and no promotion. These P2P companies are acting as unnecessary middlemen. WORK HARD, PLAY HARDER - JUST OUR OPINION