Extremely variable.

Some people get a support act to make them look good. particularly if the support act are a new band. A friend of mine got a hit record. their dumb greedy manager accepted some sort of deal The Q Tips as their support act, a very superior band who hadn't had a hit then. Of course their support act blew them off stage every night. And that went a long way to blowing my friends bands career. All managers play that sort of game quite ruthlessly. Be warned - you can find yourself a pawn in a very sneaky game.

Many established acts actually expect you to pay part of the cost of the PA. they regard it that they are doing you a favour. People who give other bands a break out of sheer decency can be quite few and far between.

Be extra polite to lighting and PA people - they can screw your act up by simply not bothering.

Sometimes if you have a following, they will be trying to get a few more bums on seats. i remember Lindisfarne had Chas and Dave along early in their career - trying for this.

Think bloody carefully before signing anything. Make sure your union rep gets a look at it. Are there penalty clauses if you decide that some other way would be more fun, and you need to walk out after the first date. Talk over with who asked you to do the gig - try and work out why they have picked you rather than someone who can do them a favour.

Moreover, what if they tire of your presence , are there any penalty clauses for all the work you have turned down?

I'm sorry if I seem wary, but I think you have to talk with everybody who has done this sort of gig. If possible whoever it was did the last support gig with them. Just use your loaf, try and work out as much as you can, talk to anybody who might know more than you do. work out the rest for yourself.

The truth of the situation is rarely pure and simple. You will just have to weigh carefully in your mind the plus and minuses.