Last week we reported on Sydney reggae outfit Black Bird Hum, who’d taken to their official Facebook page to hit out at Fairfax corporation after the publishing giant asked them to play their popular Night Noodle Market event for free.
Black Bird Hum declined the offer, which they received via an agent representing Fairfax. “We’re flattered to be on the radar of a company with an annual ‘Total Group Revenue of $1,867.2 million‘ (FY2016),” the band wrote on Facebook.
“We have, however, decided to decline the invitation to perform at the event on account of you deciding not to pay us.” The band noted how they have been paid for all of their upcoming tour dates, much like those who would’ve worked on Fairfax’s event.
“We’re guessing that the sound tech who ran the PA on the night was paid; as were the graphic designers and marketing companies that did the event website, promo and marketing material; and the companies that supplied the lighting, tables, chairs and umbrellas; and the cleaners,” they wrote.
But despite a Fairfax representative insisting to Crikey that they will “look at how we are engaging with everyone to ensure we are showing RESPECT”, they apparently still haven’t quite grasped the message.
In an article published earlier this week in The Advocate, a Tasmanian paper printed by Fairfax Regional Media, musicians are taken to task for their ungrateful entitlement, i.e. expecting to be paid for performing live.
“Popular music news website Tonedeaf recently published an article slandering the use of exposure as sufficient payment for bands. The story involved a band that was offended at the lack of financial incentive offered to perform at a major food event,” Elanor Watt writes.
“The real question is, how strong is your passion and what are you willing to do to achieve your goals,” Watt adds. “I assume most musicians love making and performing music, it is not one of those jobs that you simply decide to do as you don’t have any other choice, it is considerably passion related much like writing or sports.”
“If someone was really passionate about getting their music out there, and enjoyed performing then they would take up any opportunity given to them, especially if it means expanding their audiences, drawing in a larger fan base, because we have all seen the movies, anything can happen.”
We’ve all seen the movies? Anything can happen? Is that really the best argument you’ve got? Here in reality, most people like to be paid for their work, especially if they’re working for a company that generates millions.
Can a band choose to work for free? Yes, they can. But there seems to be a misunderstanding about just what the gripe is here. Should bands pay their dues? Absolutely. But that’s not why Black Bird Hum, and many other musos and non-musos, are so upset.
What if we asked Mr Bao, Mamak, Hoy Pinoy, Black Star Pastry, or N2 Extreme Gelato to work for the ‘exposure’ at the Night Noodle Markets? Why should they be paid for their delicious meals when they’re gaining invaluable exposure at an event that “attracts thousands of people”?
Sure, they might lose thousands by giving away their food for free and in an ideal world they would be paid, but just how passionate about this whole food thing are they? After all, cooking is passion-related, much like writing or sports.
“I do not believe asking a musician to play at an event unpaid by anyone is a tough ask,” Watt writes. “The band seems ungrateful to [sic] a potentially amazing opportunity that has been given to them.”
“Dismissing events like this makes me wonder where this band will be in several years [sic] time, if they consistently have in their heads they are too good to be even approached for an unpaid gig, what has made them so entitled.”
Forgive us, but declining the “opportunity” to perform at a corporate function for free when you’re a band who’s accustomed to being paid for gigs is not ungrateful nor is it entitled. It’s an act of self-preservation and an affirmation of your own professionalism and dignity.
We’d also just like to point out that in a Fairfax poll which asked ‘Do you think musicians should accept a gig without payment if it was going to give them exposure to a large amount of people?’ 92.86 percent of respondents voted ‘No’.
