Costs for live bands vary based on their level of experience, professionalism, and where they are based.
You will find that pricing for a 10 piece band in New York City is FAR more than a band based in West Virginia. No brainer – the cost of living in New York is FAR higher. National cost averages that may be posted on ‘wedding websites’ are NOT accurate.
How does a band calculate their cost?
This is based on how many players and the level of talent and experience of those players. For a top professional band that steadily performs together, a rough calculation would be around $1500 per person in the band – then add another $1500-2000 for sound and lights from a professional sound company and engineer. This varies for each band or company – sometimes WILDLY!
And if you add on things like strings for your ceremony or jazz trios for the cocktail hour, the cost of your complete package will raise. If you’re paying less than this, you’re not getting professional players – it’s more likely you are getting college students or weekend warriors…in other words SUB-PAR. Don’t trust your wedding night to non professionals.
WOW! The band members make $1500 per gig?
Actually this is a rough calculation to help simplify the math – there are taxes, accountant fees, payroll company fees, franchise taxes all rolled up into the final price. The calculation is just a quick way for you to guesstimate pricing, this is not a quote.
What about travel costs?
If your event is outside of your band’s local area (usually anywhere from 40-60 miles is considered local) then you’ll pay a travel fee that reimburses each person in the band and sound company for gas, tolls and time driving. If it takes 4 hours to get to a location, players are paid more than going 20 minutes to get to work. Each calculation will depend on location.
How is a band members pay calculated?
Just like any job, an individual with more talent and experience can command higher fees. Talent alone won’t guarantee a singer or player premium rates, but talent combined with experience does. Take a singer who knows hundreds of songs vs. a singer who barely knows 20 songs and has to read lyrics off an iPad? For my group, the latter is utterly useless. Each singer has to know literally hundreds of songs, by heart, and has to have the ability to harmonize with other singers on the gigs. That doesn’t happen magically – it’s only the highest level of singers that can do this well. Same for horn players and rhythm section players (keys, guitar, bass, drums). Professional gigs are not jam sessions. This goes back to what we posted about being a ‘set band’. The highest levels of performance come from being familiar with your co-workers – this applies in any field.
I can’t talk to very band I contact, I’m too busy!
You don’t have to – just narrow your hot list down to professional bands with years of experience, great reviews and references. Don’t be shy about asking for references, they are an invaluable resource and most former clients are happy to share their experiences about their vendors.
Why can’t a band just send me basic rates?
Because every event is different, each location is different and logistics of every venue are different. For example, do you need a two person sound crew because the venue lacks an elevator and the sound system has to be carried up flights of stairs? (Same for the drummer!) This is literally impossible for one person to do alone so a two person crew is needed. This is just one example of how rates are calculated based on venue logistics.
Don’t band members love what they do? Don’t they feel lucky to be working at all?
NOPE! This is a profession for highly skilled and experienced musicians. We are adults with children and mortgages and have to make a living – just as any professional does. Would you hire a law student to represent you in a legal situation – ok maybe to fight a parking ticket – otherwise Heck NO! Or how about a pre-med student doing major surgery? NOPE! Uncle Joe who tinkers with cars changing your brakes? YIKES! You get the idea…
Why go direct with independent band? Isn’t is safer to go with a big agency?
First of all, if you go direct, be sure you’re working with the bandleader and not an agent (agencies will bump your cost anywhere from 20-50% over a non-agency band), choose a band with a long history in your area that has with great reviews/references, and be sure you can catch a live showcase.
No independent bandleader is willing to tank their business by not delivering their very best leading up to the wedding (planning stages) and bringing your THE MOST KICK ASS PARTY on your big day. As a small business owner, I have everything to lose by failing – so I give you my full attention and our very best performance.
Get in touch for a price quote! You have nothing to lose – will get a free consultation and learn A TON about booking a band that will help you choose yours with confidence.