Next time one thinks tickets to a concert tour show are too much, think about what the expenses of touring are. Bands virtually go bankrupt taking their show on the highway, which is something that should give one pause next time they consider illegally installing songs.
Price of touring makes rock and roll hard living
Not every person can just get on an elegant tour bus and start touring their band. In fact, most band or artist tours do not contain groupies, partying and a lot of cash as you might assume.
If you were touring, you would expect to make more than $1,500 a month in a record deal opening for some pretty big bands. Unfortunately, that was not the case for Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione in The Dresden Dolls. They had a record deal and never made more than that, according to a 2007 NPR interview.
They will only be getting $18,000 a year, which is not a lot and only really occurs if they tour year round.
CD sales may bring them a little bit more cash considering they get $1 off every CD sale.
Might get better with more enthusiasts
A mid-level group such as the band Oh, Sleeper, which is a metalcore band that has existed for a while, gets paid about $600 per night of playing, $300 for tickets and $300 for merchandise. Usually, bands only make cash based on what they get paid for playing there and depending on merchandise sales. Typically they have to pay the location still. The typical costs of tour were published by the band's member Shane Blay.
Groups pay to print shirts. He reported $7.50 per shirt, which they sell typically at $15 per, meaning its half the cost. So of that $300, $150 is already gone. Venues usually charge a 25 percent commission, $75, and the band's manager receives a 15 percent cut of the profits, or $11.25, meaning the band makes $63.75 from $300 in product sales. From guaranties go, 15 percent off the top goes to the band's manager and 10 percent goes to their booking agent, who arranges tour dates. That leaves $225 per night, before paying travel expenditures, which he quotes around $150 just in gas between gigs, leaving $75. Then, after a $10 per day food budget for all five band members plus their merchandise seller, $60, which leaves $15. In total, that's $78.75 per night.
Divided six ways, that's $13.12 per night, per band member. That doesn't contain whether or not their van breaks down or if they have to stay in a hotel or go to a doctor.
Get paid as a star
It's only the greatest acts for whom the costs of touring are worth it, as a tour may sell enough tickets to be profitable. For instance, according to the Daily Mail, when Roger Waters did a tour of "The Wall," the classic album by his former group Pink Floyd, in 2010, the production, which is fantastically elaborate for those who haven't seen it, cost $60 million to take on tour. The tour grossed almost $90 million, according to Music Television.
Being an artist means you will struggle a lot. According to NBC News, the 2008 gas price increases made it so most groups had to cancel tours since they could not pay the extra price for gasoline.
It also hurts a band when music is downloaded for free, so make sure you always stay away from doing that.
Price of touring makes rock and roll hard living
Not every person can just get on an elegant tour bus and start touring their band. In fact, most band or artist tours do not contain groupies, partying and a lot of cash as you might assume.
If you were touring, you would expect to make more than $1,500 a month in a record deal opening for some pretty big bands. Unfortunately, that was not the case for Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione in The Dresden Dolls. They had a record deal and never made more than that, according to a 2007 NPR interview.
They will only be getting $18,000 a year, which is not a lot and only really occurs if they tour year round.
CD sales may bring them a little bit more cash considering they get $1 off every CD sale.
Might get better with more enthusiasts
A mid-level group such as the band Oh, Sleeper, which is a metalcore band that has existed for a while, gets paid about $600 per night of playing, $300 for tickets and $300 for merchandise. Usually, bands only make cash based on what they get paid for playing there and depending on merchandise sales. Typically they have to pay the location still. The typical costs of tour were published by the band's member Shane Blay.
Groups pay to print shirts. He reported $7.50 per shirt, which they sell typically at $15 per, meaning its half the cost. So of that $300, $150 is already gone. Venues usually charge a 25 percent commission, $75, and the band's manager receives a 15 percent cut of the profits, or $11.25, meaning the band makes $63.75 from $300 in product sales. From guaranties go, 15 percent off the top goes to the band's manager and 10 percent goes to their booking agent, who arranges tour dates. That leaves $225 per night, before paying travel expenditures, which he quotes around $150 just in gas between gigs, leaving $75. Then, after a $10 per day food budget for all five band members plus their merchandise seller, $60, which leaves $15. In total, that's $78.75 per night.
Divided six ways, that's $13.12 per night, per band member. That doesn't contain whether or not their van breaks down or if they have to stay in a hotel or go to a doctor.
Get paid as a star
It's only the greatest acts for whom the costs of touring are worth it, as a tour may sell enough tickets to be profitable. For instance, according to the Daily Mail, when Roger Waters did a tour of "The Wall," the classic album by his former group Pink Floyd, in 2010, the production, which is fantastically elaborate for those who haven't seen it, cost $60 million to take on tour. The tour grossed almost $90 million, according to Music Television.
Being an artist means you will struggle a lot. According to NBC News, the 2008 gas price increases made it so most groups had to cancel tours since they could not pay the extra price for gasoline.
It also hurts a band when music is downloaded for free, so make sure you always stay away from doing that.
