How to Organise a Gig or a Live Music Event - the Budget
Three times in the last month I've been asked the question, "what do I need to do to organise a gig?" In reality, when this question is asked it can mean several things: How do I find a venue? How do I sort out the PA? How do I get an audience? And so on.
But there is a stage before all of this: the budget. I would suggest that the moment you start thinking about organising an event you should write a budget. This budget spreadsheet informs you of most things that you will need to consider and will also show you the risk, projected profit and the breakeven point. A sample spreadshhet is available to download from this address http://www.josaka.com/features/2005/Organise-A-Gig/Event-PandL.pdf
If the budget numbers don't look like they are working perhaps the event is not the right thing to be running. If you don't like the level of risk, perhaps you aren't cut out to be a promoter.
So the start point is a spreadsheet. This should include all costs and all incomes. The key headings for costs should include: performer cost, PA, lighting, venue hire, marketing, box office costs etc. The income is likely to be largely ticket sales but don't forget the opportunity to add a sponsor to the event.
The spreadsheet will help you work out the breakeven point for the event i.e. how many tickets you need to sell to cover all costs. Every sale beyond breakeven is of course profit (exluding any box office commision). The added bonus of creating an event spreadsheet is that helps define all the key tasks to be performed.
The realisation of the forecasted numbers becoming actual figures suggests that all parties have got the deal they were looking for or agreed to. The sample speadsheet also illustrates that everyone else involved in the gig is largely earning a fixed fee and therefore the only person taking a financial risk is the promoter.
So if you are thinking of organising a live event I coomed you to work on the numbers first. This will help ensure you deliver a great show and have control over the money.
Kevin Harrington is the founder of josaka http://www.josaka.com the site that supports live music in Berkshire, UK. He is also director of marketing for Arkade http://www.arkade.com the mp3 distribution business.
Related Articles:
Purrfect Celtic Music CD For Cat Lovers Released By Marc Gunn and The Dubliners' Tabby Cats
Award-winning Celtic Musician and Cat Loving Fans Collaborate on Second Cat Parody CD
MP3 Rocket Launches '100 Most Popular Artists' - Faster Way to Download Free Music Downloads, Music Videos, TV Shows and Games
MP3 Rocket the world's most innovative free music and movie downloads, today announced that it has launched the '100 Most Popular Artists'.
MP3 Rocket users vote on their favorite performers and the software automatically displays in the 'most popular' artists by week and month allowing for easy downloading of favorite songs. You can download a free copy of the MP3Rocket software at: http://www.mp3rocket.com
Favorite Things About Ares Downloading Music
I was on Ares downloading music the other day when suddenly the fear hit me. It was far from I first time on a music download site, but I'd never thought about the possibility of getting caught before. It is music downloads seem safe as far as I can tell. Of course there is always the chance that you will be busted by some random P2P network sting, but that happens so rarely that it seemed like a virtual impossibility. Then, I started to worry.
Free Rock & Roll Classes for 29 New Schools in New York City-area; 1,500 Students to Receive the Gift of Music Education
Little Kids Rock to provide free two-day teacher training workshop
November 17 and 18.
Front Door Key: Palestinian Protest Through Pop Music
Doc Jazz, Palestinian singer-songwriter in the Netherlands, has released his new CD "Front Door Key", produced by Forrest Thomas (world hit with "Rock the Boat" in 1983) and also featuring an array of predominantly American musicians living in Europe. The title refers to the front door key of their original home in Palestine, that remains a tangible symbol of return for many Palestinian refugee families. The music features a rhythmical and jazzy pop sound, with thought-provoking lyrics about life, love and war from the Palestinian perspective. This ground-breaking album, with its catchy sound, is unique in its way of calling attention to the painful history of the Palestinian people. The songs can be streamed online, an...
iPod Music Downloads ? The Beautiful and Ugly Side of Downloading Music
You could be a proud iPod owner searching for some really good deals for iPod music downloads. If you have joined the millions of people who search for music files for their iPods daily, then you would probably have come across many sites that provide online music downloads for iPods. iTune comes to everyone as a no brainer for your music needs but for some, these needs are becoming expensive especially if you are building a huge music collection. This leaves you with the option of seeking new sources where you can get iPod music downloads for free or for an affordable price ? the paid membership download sites.
iPod Music Downloads ? Download iPod Music to Your Heart?s Content
Downloading iPod music always brings thrill to users whenever they manage to find the tune they are searching for. Just not long ago, when radio was the only free source of music, people would stay tuned to their radio or portable receiver. Then CDs came along, followed by music MP3s. It is apparent that the MP3 player has invaded almost all the modern homes of America. Chances are you would find one MP3 player or more specifically an iPod in the homes since it is the most popular MP3 player. More than 21 million iPods were sold in just the last quarter of 2006 alone, boosted by the Christmas sales. Having a nice gadget with such enhanced capacity to hold hundreds to even thousands of songs and music is not enough. You need to know how and ...
Groove Mobile and Universal Music UK Move Off-Portal: Full Track Downloads Available Instantly Via Short Code
Groove Mobile, the world's leading mobile music commerce service, announced today a partnership with Universal Music U.K., the U.K.'s leading record company, to build and operate an innovative off-portal mobile music store. Through this partnership, U.K. mobile phone users on any U.K. wireless carrier will have instant access to full track downloads from Universal Music U.K.'s extensive catalogue via SMS short codes from their mobile phones.
Music Choice Announces the Winner of their Nationwide Search for Undiscovered Talent
Unsigned indie rock band "Infidels" to be featured on Music Choice's popular original program, 'Fresh Crops.' Best New Artist Grammy Nominees James Blunt, Chris Brown, and Corinne Bailey Rae were all featured on 'Fresh Crops' in 2006.
Beatsuite.com Music Library Supports Avid Filmmakers
Royalty Free Music provider Beatsuite.com has been approached by Film and Video Software Giant Avid to supply music for their new '30 Spot Contest.'
A New Kind of Movement: Two Michigan Men Create The Anti Shop to Bring Independent, Artistic Christian Clothing, Accessories, and Music to the Masses
Two young Michigan men, Ric Alessio, 21, and Zack Goodreau, 19, inspired by their faith and the creativity of modern life, have chosen to put their efforts and their life into creating a new opportunity for Christian art. They created The Anti Shop (www.TheAntiShop.com), an online store dedicated to bringing together independent and underground Christian clothing companies (creative t-shirts, hoodies, hats, jewelry, accessories, even jeans) as well as Christian musicians and recording artists.
Seattle Rock Veterans Celebrate the Life and Music of George Harrison Five Years After His Passing
Featuring members of the Beatniks and Herding Cats;
Special guest performance by Alan White, legendary drummer for Yes and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass;
All ticket proceeds will be donated to Northwest Harvest to help feed Washington's hungry
Calling All Fans of Music and Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is a popular hard rock band from New Jersey It was formed in 1983 and over the past 25 years, the band has sold over 140 million albums worldwide
Download Music for iPod with Maximum Benefit 10 Things to Look for
Every iPod owner must have tried to look for opportunities to download music for iPod from the Internet. You must have also discovered that apart from the default iTune website there are numerous other websites offering similar services. However, the selection can be too overwhelming to decide which site is the best for your needs.
Unlimited Music Downloads ? What Is the Big Deal?
Talking about songs, the way we get hold of them nowadays is so convenient with sites offering unlimited music downloads. Not only is it easy, it is also possible for us to build up our private collection without spending too much money. Long gone are those days when we have no choice but to buy an entire CD just to listen to that one favourite song. All we need to do now is to pick one song and download it!