6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee Negotiating the right fee for your next gig can be a tricky business, but can also be an essential part of your career as a musician. Last updated: 12 July 2021 MU members have access to a number of resources both online and offline to help make the negotiation process as straight-forward as possible, and remember your Regional team are always there to offer advice and support. Here are six top tips to consider when securing a paid gig: 1. Check the recommended minimum gig rates Although gig fees will always vary, and most should be negotiated on a case-by-case basis – the MU does have recommended minimum rates that could serve as a helpful guideline. There is both a Casual Stage rate and a National Gig rate. 2. Get the terms of the gig in writing Having written confirmation of the terms of the gig ensures both sides know what is expected e.g., what time to arrive and how much you’re going to get paid etc. Without written evidence of the contracted terms, if a problem arises, recovering your fee is made far more difficult. If you are having trouble with not getting paid, get our assistance in fee recovery. 3. Use an MU standard contract We advise you to use our Live Engagement Standard Contracts. Make it clear to the venue or booker that there is no agreed booking until the contract is signed by both parties. We also recommend reading our guidance on completing the contracts before filling them out. 4. Get your booking details confirmed in advance If you can’t get the booker to sign an MU contract, we recommend you get a letter or e-mail from them confirming the booking and including details of the date, time and place. Using our Specimen letter is a simple way of getting the important details of a booking confirmed in writing. 5. Choose a good time to negotiate If a gig goes well, speak to the promoter straight after your set, with regards to another booking – it’s a good time to negotiate a higher fee or better deal. 6. Remember you have the power to say “no” It’s always worth trying to negotiate, but if there’s no flexibility on the promoter’s behalf, and the deal isn’t right for you, don’t do it. You’re not losing anything, but you are applying quality control. The Fair Play Guide For more detailed guidance on negotiation, see the MU’s Fair Play Guide. The Fair Play Guide explains how musicians can recognise and negotiate fair deals and subsequently work with promoters to ensure that shows are successful and that they are appropriately remunerated for their efforts and performance. Member services Access Expert Contract Advice The MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses Read more about Access Expert Contract Advice Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Protection against legal liability for damages following injury to a third party person or damage to property at work Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect yourself and your band mates with our Partnership Advisory Service. Read more about Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect Your Hearing Health Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection at an affordable price Read more about Protect Your Hearing Health Recover Unpaid Fees Advice on how to approach an engager, legal assistance and more Read more about Recover Unpaid Fees Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment MU members can protect their music instruments and equipment anywhere in the world Read more about Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment Latest news and features MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA Members wishing to understand more about entering the US, following recent press reports and administrative changes, can now watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by Arts Info Point. Published: 24 April 2025 Read more about Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England Jazz North has announced a series of free, online workshops and forums exclusively for artists based in the North of England. 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Access Expert Contract Advice The MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses Read more about Access Expert Contract Advice
Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Protection against legal liability for damages following injury to a third party person or damage to property at work Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance
Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect yourself and your band mates with our Partnership Advisory Service. Read more about Get Legal Advice for Bands
Protect Your Hearing Health Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection at an affordable price Read more about Protect Your Hearing Health
Recover Unpaid Fees Advice on how to approach an engager, legal assistance and more Read more about Recover Unpaid Fees
Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment MU members can protect their music instruments and equipment anywhere in the world Read more about Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment
MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London
Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA Members wishing to understand more about entering the US, following recent press reports and administrative changes, can now watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by Arts Info Point. Published: 24 April 2025 Read more about Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA
New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England Jazz North has announced a series of free, online workshops and forums exclusively for artists based in the North of England. Published: 14 April 2025 Read more about New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England
MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. Published: 01 April 2025 Read more about MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK
Hungary Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Banning Pride Events Hungary has passed a new anti-LGBTQ+ law that bans Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the festivities. Published: 19 March 2025 Read more about Hungary Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Banning Pride Events