I agreed to DJ breaks for a local band at a very posh club tonight. I was to play very specific music during 4 - 15 minutes breaks and I was going to be paid $100.

I got to the gig, setup my DJ setup and played from 5-6pm while the band setup. At 6:00pm the band started playing. This was an outdoor event. After 2 songs, the band blew the circuit breakers. The owner and manager told the band not to play and asked me to DJ.

Next thing I know, I'm DJ'ing for 5 hours!

At the end of the night, the band leader who hired me only gave me $100. This after I saved his Ass.

Do I have a right to expect more money and at least a nice Tip?

Thanks
Al

Kbrkr,

TIME IS MONEY!

Absolutely...
Lee S.

Al, though I certainly sympathize over what happened, it was when the owner and mgr asked the band to stop playing and for you to DJ instead, is when you should have re-negotiated your payment amount with 1) the leader of the band. Only If he was unwilling to renegotiate would I then have approached the owner to negotiate how much he would pay you directly for 5 hours of DJ-ing, on top of the contract he already made with the live band. The big question is: how much over the $100 you received from the band leader, did the owner pay the band? -Scott

If that happened here in this country the Dj would be asking--and receiving- at least 350
A DJ at a wedding asks between 350 and 450 for a 2 hour spot after the wedding band has finished. The gigs here are 2 hours normally for both a band at a function or wedding and then the same for a DJ.
A 4/5 piece band was charging 2000 Euros for weddings for the last 10 years but that has reduced to 1500 now that the bubble has burst in Europe but its still good money.
Its crazy in some countries the amount of hours expected from musicians and Djs.

I came to find out, by over hearing the conversation, the band owner was paid $800 for the gig for 4 pieces plus me as DJ. He was paying the musicians, including his girlfriend, $100 so he was profiting $300.

He could of at LEAST tipped me?

Scott: Your right, I should of renegotiated with the owner, but I didn't want to make a scene in front of the crowd and during the event; I have too much class for that. I thought it would be better to discuss after the gig. But by then I had lost all of my leverage.

Al-

Scott's right. There's always a way to find a few moments to work out a new arrangement. Its not unprofessional unless people get loud or something.

I think you got screwed pretty bad.

Will you work with either the band or the club again?

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Bill in Dayton

Al, I understand your reluctance to negotiate right in front of people at the last minute. You didn't want to look like you were "holding them up".


Yes, you really should be PISSED!


Russ

Back in my Contry goes like this:
The band starts at 5/6 PM on Saturday until 3/4 AM Sunday, of course with breaks.
Then after 8-9 AM on Sunday till 2/3 PM Sunday...then 9 PM Sunday till 3/4 AM Monday.
Monday morning is another short Gig from like 7 AM till 9 AM and thats it.
Basically the Band stays there the whole time, there is rooms for them and everything.