The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #154480 Message #3629879
Posted By: Richard Bridge
03-Jun-14 - 04:41 AM
Thread Name: Why Do Musicians Work For Nothing?
Subject: RE: Why Do Musicians Work For Nothing?
People do things for nothing for, mostly, three reasons:
1. They can't get paid for it
2. They like doing it
3. They feel they are supporting something worthwhile.
For example, I was at a minifestival (mostly folkie but not much 1954 definition) over the weekend. The sound rig - quite a good one - was provided by a professional sound engineer who also had overall supervision of the volunteer sound-desk-jockeys (including me). He did it for nothing. He brought his wife and young daughter along. Obviously none of them paid for their tickets (I suppose). And he kept telling me and everyone else what a wonderful time he was having, such lovely welcoming people, great atmosphere, lovely patch of countryside, terrific musicians (some of the time). He was hoping to be allowed to provide the sound rig, free, at future events. Giving something back to the community (etc).
Some of the performers were I suppose paid. One came down from Newcastle mostly for the crack (well, beer). Many were not, and were jostling to play, because it's fun! One such set of young performers have a single coming out soon, and they posted later on the event's facebook page to say what a wonderful time they had had. I've played there in the past. All the performers, including those who don't get paid, love doing it and being there. People who get a slot in the "friends" section get a reduction in their camping fee but those who simply do the open mic or sessions do it for love - because they want to. If nobody played except for a "full rate" fee the event could not happen, and we'd all be heartbroken.