[jjf424]

My wife and I are working musicians, we're planning on making the big move to Las Vegas by the end of the year. We both have gigged weekly for many years, we have other daily occupations but would love to continue performing at night in the big city of Las Vegas.

Just curious if there's any working musicians here that can share their wisdom? I'm not talking headlining strip shows but maybe working the bars/clubs on and off the strip. Just curious how the gig scene is there these days, hows the pay, the camaraderie between musicians, etc. thanks!

[EA]

There are a lot of venues for local bands and cover bands. No clue how the pay is.

[Tek_Freek]

Isn't raiderman into that scene? Perhaps send him a DM.

[yellowsnow]

It's not pretty and it's not lucrative. I only know a couple people who don't have 'day jobs'. And you are not just expected to perform, the venue owners expect you to promote the show and fill the bar/club. Las Vegas is chock full of really good musicians and very few actually make a living. Pay is really low and more than a few places will try and get you to do a gig for a percentage of the bar.

We hire bands quite often and we pay $400 per gig and lots of places pay less. A lot less. There's a bar in the NW that has live music every day and they pay $250. Jams are very popular here because people just want to get up and play. As in can't find paying work!

I can't encourage you to come here. We have a lot more musicians than we have gigs available.

[jjf424]

thanks for the reply! I'm glad I don't want to rely on it for a living anymore, looks pretty grim.

The first time I was going to move to Las Vegas was 1989 and had plans on being a full time musician, just when I was ready to make the move was the big musicians strike and my relatives there talked me out of it. I've visited a dozen or two times since then and always try to check out some live music, I agree there is a lot of talent there.

I've lived in some places where the music scene is cutthroat and outsiders can't get a gig, and I've lived in other places where you're welcomed easily as long as you have the talent. Just curious on the input from some people in the scene there now, thanks!

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by jjf424

thanks for the reply! I'm glad I don't want to rely on it for a living anymore, looks pretty grim.

The first time I was going to move to Las Vegas was 1989 and had plans on being a full time musician, just when I was ready to make the move was the big musicians strike and my relatives there talked me out of it. I've visited a dozen or two times since then and always try to check out some live music, I agree there is a lot of talent there.

I've lived in some places where the music scene is cutthroat and outsiders can't get a gig, and I've lived in other places where you're welcomed easily as long as you have the talent. Just curious on the input from some people in the scene there now, thanks!

There are jams almost every night where you can play and have a good time. You just won't get paid for it. They are well attended and people keep their fingers crossed that maybe if the right people hear them play, it could lead to paying gigs.

However good the musicians are, put 4 or 5 strangers on stage and the music may be good but you can hear it on Pluto. Forget dynamics and nuance. He who plays loudest and has the most pedals wins. If you are lucky you may be invited to play at some of the many small studios here. If you are really good you will be invited to play at the pro jams at HOB. But after you get over being invited to play there you realize you have to pay to park and haul your gear 1/4 mile. It's still cool to be able to say you did it! Another medium size venue that sometimes has locals, usually as openers, is the Railhead at Boulder Station. When my friend played the Railhead, his share of the 'take' was $5.

No one cares where you come from. Everyone here is from some other place.

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

There are jams almost every night where you can play and have a good time. You just won't get paid for it. They are well attended and people keep their fingers crossed that maybe if the right people hear them play, it could lead to paying gigs.

However good the musicians are, put 4 or 5 strangers on stage and the music may be good but you can hear it on Pluto. Forget dynamics and nuance. He who plays loudest and has the most pedals wins. If you are lucky you may be invited to play at some of the many small studios here. If you are really good you will be invited to play at the pro jams at HOB. But after you get over being invited to play there you realize you have to pay to park and haul your gear 1/4 mile. It's still cool to be able to say you did it! Another medium size venue that sometimes has locals, usually as openers, is the Railhead at Boulder Station. When my friend played the Railhead, his share of the 'take' was $5.

No one cares where you come from. Everyone here is from some other place.

A lot of the shows here are like that. A bunch of bragging about some vocalist and when you go you can't hear them over the music. Ruins what might have an excellent experience.

[ElleTea]

I have a friend in a couple of bands in Las Vegas and he does it full time...BUT, he has crazy schedules, sometimes he will play 3 gigs in one day! Fremont Stage in the afternoon, someplace on the strip like O'Shea's early in the night, then close the night at an other casino. It's a lot of work doing it that way!