Hello All. As a long time lurker I thought this might be a good place to ask an opinion.

Do you think the average rock gig pays any better than a folk music gig?

Here's why I ask. For the past several years I have made a few extra dollars playing folk music. Nothing great as far as the money goes, but it has managed to support my music wants when it comes to equipment and supplies.

I also play in a blues/rock garage band for fun. However, we were recently presented with an opportunity to play a "paid" gig. The pay is a joke, about 200 USD for four people. I have informed my band mates that I'll do the gig because they really want to play out. But I've also informed them that I won't be making it a steady thing at that rate of pay.

I've informally kept tabs on the local rock band pay for the area bars and it ranges from 300 USD to 450 USD for a four-hour set for the average no name bar band. Add in an hour minimum to set up and an hour minimum to tear down, plus travel time back and forth, divided by the usual four to five members of the band and you are working for next to nothing per hour.

This is why I've stuck with the folk stuff. The actual per hour rate of pay has been better.

I was just wondering if any of my fellow folk musicians have also dabbled in the electric world and what you have to offer by way of comparisons on the money of folk music verses rock or blues.