Pay to play was a huge issue for bands in the 80's - its not a new thing

London top club type gigs (I remember having to pay to play at Marquee and Dingwalls)- fortunately we got rebooked for money! Hoorah!

In London the first lot to come out with a better deal and conditions for bands were the Mean Fiddler venues and for 10 years became very popular with bands and audiences