7 votes

Sofar Sounds house concerts raises $25M, but bands get just $100

3 comments

  1. [3]
    boredop
    Link
    In other words, it's the Spotify payment model for house concerts.

    In some cases, Sofar pays just $100 per band for a 25 minute set, which can work out to just $8 per musician per hour or less. Hosts get nothing, and Sofar keeps the rest, which can range from $1,100 to $1,600 or more per gig — many times what each performer takes home. The argument was that bands got exposure, and it was a tiny startup far from profitability.

    In other words, it's the Spotify payment model for house concerts.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      alyaza
      Link Parent
      i really love that the "i will pay you in EXPOSUUUUUURE! " thing is something that apparently every douchebag in the world does, from random people on the internet trying to con artists out of...

      The argument was that bands got exposure, and it was a tiny startup far from profitability.

      i really love that the "i will pay you in EXPOSUUUUUURE! " thing is something that apparently every douchebag in the world does, from random people on the internet trying to con artists out of work to techbro startups trying to monopolize house concerts. very helpful for identifying who to avoid.

      2 votes
      1. boredop
        Link Parent
        I even got that from another musician recently. A pianist I hadn't worked with before called me for a gig and when I asked what it paid he said "there's no money, but it could lead to more work...

        I even got that from another musician recently. A pianist I hadn't worked with before called me for a gig and when I asked what it paid he said "there's no money, but it could lead to more work down the road." Yeah, sure it will. I have heard that one a few times before, and it NEVER leads to anything. I declined the gig.

        1 vote