Hi Marion

We charge a flat fee per gig which is always open to negotiation because you have to be. There are 3 of us, we have our own PA and we do pubs mainly because it's very hard to get gigs in Folk clubs. We perform a 30-40 minute set, have a rest then perform a 40-50 minute set usually finishing with an encore. The Folk clubs and private functions we have done have also been charged the same but we usually perform another 15 minute set in the middle usually consisting of Penny whistles and bodrhan (it ads another dimension and keeps audience interest).

We have been on the go for 2 years now. Our gigs have paid for the PA, CDs, professional printing of posters, business/biog cards, marketing, stationery etc etc. We look at it like this, our aim is to reach a wider audience, if we didn't do the pubs we couldn't offer our services, for expenses only, to the Folk Festivals. One day we hope to be paid properly by the festivals but until then we continue to do the gigs we do at a reasonable price and give value for money.

You have to look at what you are offering, decide how much you would pay to see you, be willing to negotiate and don't price yourself out of the market but at the same time don't sell yourself short. We continue to be asked back at venues that are struggling because we are not over priced, give value for money and are realistic.

Hope this helps.

Carole Dalton