The short answer
Agree on a tip rule before the gig and apply it every time. Most bands split tips evenly among everyone who played, subs included. Some give a share to the leader for booking and admin. Record the tips on the gig and pay them out with the regular gig pay, so nobody has to ask.
Common ways to split tips
- Even split: everyone who played gets the same share. Simple and fair.
- Leader share: the leader keeps a set share for booking and admin, the rest is split evenly.
- By role: rare, but some acts weight shares by role or hours played.
Include subs
Subs played the same gig, so they should share the same tips. It's one of the easiest ways to keep good subs saying yes.
Make tipping easy for clients
Many clients want to tip but don't carry cash. A simple online way to tip after the event brings in more.
How BookLive helps
- Tips in the client portal. Clients can tip online after their event.
- Tip splits. Split tips across the players on the gig.
- Player pay. Record what each player received. See getting paid for gigs.
Your musicians use BookLive for free. Only the bandleader pays.
Frequently asked questions
Do subs get a share of the tips?
In most bands, yes. Anyone who played the gig shares the tips.
Should the bandleader get a bigger share of tips?
Some acts give the leader a set share for booking and admin. Decide the rule in advance and apply it every time.
Split tips fairly with BookLive
Tips and player pay recorded on every gig.
Your musicians never pay.