Pay to play, sometimes pay for play, is a phrase used for a variety of situations in which money is exchanged for services or the privilege to engage (play) in certain activities. While a vile practice in many areas (politics, broadcasting, gaming etc...) Here's how the story goes:
So you're in an upcoming band, and a promoter reaches out to you with a great gig! The promoter name drops to beef t
hemselves up to you and tells you it's opening for a "big" act, or a battle of the bands which promises a great prize package for the winner. It's at a great club in the hot spot of town. You're stoked! So you call/email to get more info, and you get all the details to a show you really want to play. Then you hear the fine print - you have to pre-sell 60 tickets at $16 each in order to perform. And the event's on a Tuesday at 7pm, which isn't ideal. So what's the deal with the pre-sales? It's cool to be able to offer your fans tickets ahead of the show, right? As it turns out, no. If you don't pre-sell all the tickets, you're left holding the bag for the difference. Can you really get 60 people to pay $16 to see your band on a Tuesday night at 7pm? Maybe, but even so you don't need this deal. By booking you, the promoters just guaranteed $960 of income for them and the club no matter how many people you bring in. Pretty sweet deal for the promoter and the club. What's in it for you? Absolutely nothing! This has been going on for far too long and should not be considered "The Way It Is"! It doesn't have to be like this and we have the power to make a change. Stop this cancer in the music scene! Just Say NO to PAY TO PLAY SHOWS!!! These "promoters" are vultures who don't care about the art or what your band sounds like. All they see is the money they can devour and take from starving musicians who think its the only way to get booked. These "Promoters" don't even really promote you properly to ensure more of a crowd for you in their big club! Why would they, if you book with them they have already guaranteed their money. Why would they care about your band or who hears you.
