The short answer
To pay band members well, agree on each player's rate before they accept the gig, track what every player is owed per gig, pay promptly after the event, and keep a record of each payment. Players who get paid fast and correctly are the ones who say yes next time.
Pay starts with the request: put the amount in every availability request.
Agree on pay before the gig
Put the amount in the request, along with anything extra: rehearsal pay, travel, overtime, or a rate for learning special songs. Surprises about pay are the fastest way to lose good players.
Track pay per gig, not in your head
- Note each player's pay on the gig itself.
- Mark it paid when you pay it, with the date and method.
- Check each gig's balance: what the client paid, what went to players, and what's left.
Pay fast
Paying players within a few days of the gig, or on the night, builds loyalty. Many bandleaders collect the client's final balance before the event so they can pay the band right away.
Keep records for taxes
In the US, players you pay as independent contractors may need a 1099 at the end of the year. A clean record of who you paid and when makes that easy. Ask a tax professional about your situation.
How BookLive helps
- Pay on every seat. Set what each player earns on the gig.
- Mark players paid. Record each payment, whether through BookLive Pay or another way.
- Performance balances. See payments in, payouts to players, refunds and what's left for every gig.
- Tip splits. Share client tips across the players on the gig.
- Free for players. Your musicians use BookLive at no cost. See how to schedule band members.
Your musicians use BookLive for free. Only the bandleader pays.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay band members?
It depends on your market, the gig and the player's role. Agree on the rate before they accept, and keep it consistent for similar gigs.
When should a bandleader pay the band?
As soon as possible after the gig, ideally within a few days.
Do I need to send band members a 1099?
Possibly, if you pay them as independent contractors in the US. Ask a tax professional.
Track player pay in BookLive
Know what every player is owed, and when they were paid, on every gig.
Your musicians never pay.