Play Band Gigs for Free?

This issue was raised with me by a guitarist from Boston in the US this week. Should his band accept the offer of free gigs. "Trials" if you like.

His feeling was that they would be good exposure for his band and could lead to paid work at the venue in question and even elsewhere.

Exposure is King I agree. You get more gigs from playing gigs (ie people who see you book you for their venue/party etc) than many other means. But while I have no issue with the idea of "trial price" gigs at new venues , free performances are something else.

I've used the offer of a reduced fee for an initial gig to secure regular work at places in the past and talk about it in Gig-Getter for when price is an obstacle in discussions. In these cases you always need to get agreement that further gigs at the venue will be at your normal price.

Personally I wouldn't recommend any band get a reputation as being available for free. It will devalue how venues see you. It will cost you financially and it will make it more difficult for you to get your fees up to the levels they should be.

You might want to play the odd charity bash or band member's party but you've probably sweated for your gear and ability like workers in any industry. Why give what you have away for nothing?