Pay-to-Play: Pros and Cons for Musicians and Venues in the Music Industry

I have a bone to pick. One that every working musician, at some time during their career, has succumbed to, as a means of surviving or reviving in their said career. When it comes to money in all its forms of exploitation, ugly is the suit that every party must wear. And saving face ain’t got no part in this one. When it comes down to business and the business of running a venue, or the business of working as a musician, the ‘Pay-to-Play’ model, is one model that is sure to stir many emotions.

Paying a fee or selling a certain amount in stacks of tickets, to lock in a slot, to perform on stage at a club is a game that many consider a controversial practice. Personally, I gotta say I hate it. But as a necessity, it's a needed evil to participate in the music business, it just comes with the territory. Along with this evil, as with any business tactic, there are both supporters and detractors, each having significant implications for musicians, venues, and the overall, bloated girth of the music industry.

While we’re here, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of such practices of ‘Pay-to-Play and its impact on the players in this world of music.

Pros for Artists

·       Performance Opportunities: In challenging and competitive markets, Pay-to-Play can bring opportunities to perform to up-and-coming artists emerging on the scene in securing those most coveted gigs.

·       Exposure: Yes! A part of the game that every artist needs for success. Gaining new audiences while capturing the ears and tickling the lobes of labels, A&R, and other industry professionals can lead to potential future opportunities and levels of success, or stardom.

·       Experience: Live performances have always been the bread and butter in honing stage presence, musicianship, and overall experience in reading the crowd, engaging them, and interacting with them.

Cons for Artists

·       Financial Burden: Money, money, money. The upfront costs of Pay-to-Play and the pressures involved in the marketing and selling of said stacks of tickets have an incredible strain on the finances of emerging artists; especially those, of whom, with destitute, and minute budgets.

·       Inequity: Talented musicians who aren't as affluent and cash-rich tend to be sidelined by the Pay-to-Play business model, as those who have better financial grounds will often get favored thereby creating an uneven playing field.

·       Pressure and Stress: The burden of needing to sell a roll tickets or muster up the dollars needed to pay the fees, weigh heavily on the shoulders, souls, and minds of those musicians struggling to get ahead and the stresses involved often detract from the creative processes and can also eat away at the enjoyment of performing.

Pros for Venues

·       Financial Security: For venue owners, the Pay-to-Play model ensures they can cover, close to a good portion of their overheads, and financial risks associated with hosting live events. It also helps with the bar revenues with the increase of patrons getting their ‘drink’ on.

·       Guaranteed Audience: With the incentive to promote their shows, artists with a good following help to ensure a great turnout for venues, also increasing ticket sales, bar revenues, concessions, and merchandise.

·       Reduced Marketing Burden: Transferring a good portion of the marketing to the artists not only helps in promoting the venue but also helps in reducing their own expenses and efforts involved in marketing. Talk about transference!

Cons for Venues

·       Quality Control: The fine line for longevity in any business. Too much focus placed on financial gains can lead to a frequency of lackluster lineups on the playbill, diminishing the quality, reputation, and audience satisfaction and participation. And a nasty promoter can kill a great show like cancer.

·       Artist Relations: A bad rap for a venue can also affect the bottom line. The Pay-to-Play model is like a double-edged sword. It can also strain relationships between musicians and venue owners. Word travels fast when artists and musicians feel exploited, and/or undervalued, which will manifest in negative perceptions of value in musician circles and the public eye.

·       Long-Term Viability: A heavy, over-reliance, on the Pay-to-Play model, over time, will indefinitely stifle a vibrant music scene. A venue's long-term success can also be negatively impacted if it interferes with the development of such a bright and spirited music scene.

Impact on the Music Industry

Positive Impacts

·       Increased Opportunities: For emerging artists, the Pay-to-Play model offers more opportunities for live performances, helping them to gain more exposure, and nurturing their following, along with the incredible experiences to share through social media.

·       Financial Stability for Venues: Sustaining the live music scene and its ecosystem, the model helps to ensure that venues remain financially viable, thus providing an environment for artists to continue to explore their craft and perform.

Negative Impacts

·       Inequity and Access: As I said, regarding that double-edged sword. Talented artists who are less affluent struggle with the financial barriers created by the Pay-to-Play model. This is the perpetual nature of inequity within the music industry.

·       Quality of Performances: The cultural value of the live music scene suffers when financial considerations outweigh talent. This kills the quality of live music and events overall, causing a potential alienation of the audience.

Artist Exploitation: Financial demands and the pressures to meet those demands often lead to artist burnout and disillusionment. This will typically lead to reduced passion and dedication on the musician's part.

In conclusion, the pay-to-play model is a mixed bag of complicated benefits and drawbacks, for both the artists and venue owners and operators. The long-term health of the music industry is in ‘the balance’, with its standing with valuable opportunities, and financial stability in using such a business model. And it raises significant concerns.

In all, it is about finding the balance of support for both the up-and-coming artists and the sustainability of the venue which is crucial for both, in nurturing a vibrant live music scene. Hopefully, by addressing these challenging issues, the spirit of the music industry can maintain an environment that will ensure that talent and creativity remain at the helm, benefiting the artist, the venues, and of course the audience at large.

How to Succeed as an Artist Manager

How to Succeed as an Artist Manager is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to pursue a career in artist management. Get the book!

If you want to improve your playing quickly, without years of practice or you want to play smokin’ solos with intense passion and total control then this is EXACTLY what you’ve been looking for.  Click here.