• superkret
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    1 month ago

    I volunteer at a venue that offers a stage for bands and DJs starting out and looking for a first place to preform.
    It has a capacity for an audience of 300. None of the people working there get paid.

    We can’t display “Complicated Business” on a big screen when a mic cuts out, but would have fixed that issue within a minute.
    Unless the stage is mobile and outdoors, or in someone’s living room, you set up an emergency backup amp, mixer, speakers and mics before the first guest enters the building.

    • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      1 month ago

      Respectfully, as someone in the performing arts, how does no one get paid at a venue with a capacity of 300? A bar venue with a capacity of 30 I’d understand, 50-100 is pushing it. But 300? That’s huge!

      I’m doing a gig later in November at an amphitheater with a capacity of 200-300ish or so. The pay is $500 for 6-8 minutes on stage. I’m not even part of production, just a guest performer. The venue I most often perform at nets around $150 per person at capacity (max is 100)

      Even if you only charged $10 for entry, that’s a few thousand dollars. There’s enough there to give people something for their work

      • superkret
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        1 month ago

        OK that was misleading.
        The artists, sound and light tech obviously get paid. DJs get around 50€ per set, bands 200€, technicians 70€ per night. No one who lives off their art performs there, except sometimes as a favor cause they like the place. It’s very much a stage for hobby musicians. The money pays for their cost to get there and back, and they also get fresh-cooked food and a place to sleep.
        The bar and door are staffed by volunteers who get free entrance and drinks, and the venue is managed by volunteer members, who get to hang out there whenever they like, at a very unique place.

        Entrance fee is between 5€ for an 8 hour event with only DJs, to 8€ for a night with 3 bands and 2 DJs. A beer costs 1,50€, soft drinks 1€, long drinks 4€. We are very much running the place at cost, so everyone can afford to go there.
        It only works out because of the massive amount of unpaid work done behind the scenes, lots of connections to professionals willing to help out for free cause they like the place, tax-exempt status, a special deal with the local brewery, and relatively cheap rent.

        And the capacity is 300 for the main stage. Together with the second stage, outdoor stage and bonfire area (if the weather is good), we can let in 600 people.