29% of artists report decrease in gig fees, according to study

29% of musicians have reported a decrease in gig fees in recent years, according to a new study by DJ, rehearsal and recording studio network PIRATE.

According to the survey - conducted by 1,700 band members, solo artists, and DJs - gig fees have predominantly stagnated or decreased in recent years.

The study found that while 54% of artists reported no change in fees, 29% reported a decrease, and just 17% noticed an increase in payments for gigging despite soaring ticket prices.

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The survey also found that a huge 88% of artists have noticed an increase in touring and gigging costs - a term The Guardian has coined “the cost of touring crisis”.

“If the cost-of-touring crisis isn’t addressed, we can expect to see a real impact on the industry at large, where the most exciting new acts are forced to stay at home,” says PIRATE CEO and co-founder, David Borrie.

Of the artists surveyed, 72% reported that they do not make any profit from touring, while 24% make a loss. Of those making losses, 81% noted a “significant impact” on their income.

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“One of the biggest obstacles to a decent fee is that no one speaks about what they're paid, and people don't know how to negotiate,” emerging DJ Urma told PIRATE.

“My understanding is that the bar to entry for DJing is lower than ever, but the bar to success, particularly financial success, is higher than ever,” she added. “This makes it easy for promoters to exploit new talent, particularly female talent.”

PIRATE also noted that 86% of those surveyed report an increase in the price of gig tickets, over which they have no control. 71% of artists believe that these higher fees “do not translate into a better show experience for fans”.

Read the full report by PIRATE here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter