Free Gig Calculator: Tailored for UK Bands, Solo Artists, & DJs

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Hello, my fellow musicians of all gigging skill levels! 🤘💷

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I'm about to show you how this free gig quote calculator (that I built, yes, for you) covers everything related to quoting (or evaluating) a gig in the UK, so if you’ve ever wondered, “How much should I charge for this show?” or “Am I losing money on this gig?,” tighten up that guitar strap—this is for you.

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This free calculator follow's the UK Musician's Union National Gig Rates guidelines.

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This post isn’t about booking your first gig or how to stage-dive properly (though if you do stage-dive, please film it).

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It’s about money: how to set a fee that won’t leave you eating instant noodles for a week, and how to figure out if that “super enticing” offer from a pub is actually worth your time.

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Why Gigging is More Than Just “Play Music, Get Paid”

1. Time Is Money (Don’t Undervalue Yourself)

Rehearsals, whether you’re a solo act or a 5-piece band, eat up hours.

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Travel is a real cost.

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Whether you’re hopping on a train from Manchester to Leeds or factoring in 45p/mile for fuel, it adds up.

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Individual practice behind the scenes might be the invisible part of your labor, but it’s crucial to your final performance.

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Check out this sweet list of 100 Tax Deductions for Self-Employed Music Artists.

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2. UK Cities Are Not Created Equal

Playing in London?

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You’ve got congestion charges, obscene parking fees, and a higher cost of living.

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Your quote should reflect that.

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Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow each have their own slightly lower (but still significant) overhead.

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Don’t round down just because you’re not in central London.

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If you’re in Cardiff or Leeds—or a smaller city—factor in smaller audience draws but also the possibility of reduced travel costs.

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3. Venues Don’t Always Know Their Budget

I’ve been there: the venue manager says, “We can only pay £100 total,” and you think, “Hmm, that’s okay, right?” But after you subtract:

• Train tickets
• A gear rental
• A meal (because you got hungry loading in at 5PM)…

You realize you made about £5 per hour.

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Ouch.

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That’s where this actually useful, UK-specific, Gig Calculator swoops in like your heroic band manager (minus the high commission)... do "heroic" band managers even exist?

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The Calculator Breakdown: What It Does (And Why It’s Awesome)

1. Captures Group & Individual Hours

Enter your combined rehearsal time, plus each member’s separate practice/travel/arranging hours.

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Because you deserve pay for all of it—no more ignoring time spent writing new intros or rearranging sets.

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2. Adds Up Expenses

Think: fuel, gear rental, cartage for large instruments (yes, lugging that full drum kit or stand-up bass is an actual cost!).

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Quick note: If you’re driving from Cardiff to somewhere near Newcastle, you do not want to skip the fuel line item.

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3. Calculate Your Desired Profit margin

Once you know your baseline “cover costs” amount, the calculator lets you tack on a profit margin—like an extra 20%.

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Because working for exact break-even is the fastest route to musician burnout.

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4. Adjusts for Tax

If you’re VAT-registered, the tool auto-adjusts so you can see your quote with or without the extra 20%.

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5. Compares to a Venue’s Offer

Got a “flat £200 total” promise from a pub in Manchester?

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Plug that pub's offer into the calculator!

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This thing shows your implied hourly rate after all is said and done.

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That might feel great…or it might feel like pocket change (you won't know for sure until you calculate it).

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How to Know When to Say “Yes” (And When to Pass)

Yes, if:

• The offer covers travel, rehearsal time, plus a fair hourly rate for each performer.
• You’re playing a killer festival or high-profile event that might open bigger doors—just be sure you’re not losing money.
• You can negotiate a shorter set or fewer band members (acoustic duo instead of a 5-piece) to keep costs manageable.

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Hard No, if:

• The gig only pays “exposure” or a door split with zero guarantee—and the venue is known for limited foot traffic.
• You do the math (or the calculator does) and realize you’re paying out of pocket.
• The show is so out-of-the-way that even your margin won’t offset the travel headache.

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“But I’m New—Should I Charge, Like, Nothing?”

Let’s settle this once and for all: even if you’re new, never charge so little that you can’t afford your own costs.

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Yes, your rates will be lower than an established pro who tours the UK regularly, but:

• You still have overhead: trains, gear, hours of practice.
• You’re still delivering a live music experience that has real value.

New doesn’t mean free.

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Let the calculator help you land on a modest number that keeps your finances intact and your artistry respected.

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Door Splits, Flat Fees, and Other Payment Quirks

If your local pub does a door split, it’s a bit trickier.

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Our calculator can’t predict audience turnout, but:

• Estimate how many paying customers you’ll realistically bring.
• If you expect 50 people, each paying £5, that’s £250 total.
  • 50% door split = £125 to the band.
  • Subtract your costs to see if you’re still in the green.

If they’re offering a flat fee—awesome.

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That’s easy to plug in.

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If it’s a mostly tips scenario, treat it like a worst-case door split.

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Be prepared that you might not make the best wages, but hey, if it’s a stepping stone gig, at least cover transport.

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No More Playing for “Exposure.” Period.

Let’s just say it once more: “Exposure” is not a recognized currency in the UK, or anywhere.

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It won’t pay your bills, and it sure won’t buy the new guitar strings you snapped during your second encore (it's not dropped D, you're just missing a string, damnit).

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Yes, sometimes it’s worth playing a strategic gig—like a major festival slot or an event with industry insiders—but weigh the pros and cons carefully:

• Does it genuinely build your fanbase?
• Is it a platform that can lead to actual paid gigs soon?
• Or is the promoter just hoping to exploit new bands?

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mélo's UK Gig Calculator keeps you honest to yourself here.

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If your total costs are more than zero and the payoff is “exposure,” you know exactly what you’re walking into.

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Ready to Charge Your Worth?

The bottom line: Arming yourself with the numbers is the best way to gig responsibly, get paid fairly, and still keep the music scene thriving.

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Whether you’re a brand-new sea shanty duo from Cornwall or a 10-piece funk juggernaut rolling through London, you deserve to know your real value.

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What Next?

1. Load up the Gig Calculator.
2. Input your band details, location, hours, expenses, etc.
3. See your recommended quote or compare it to a venue offer.‍
4. Negotiate with confidence—the worst they can say is “no,” and at least you’ll know your bottom line.

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Final Word

Gigging is business—but it doesn’t have to be brutal.

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When you walk into gig booking negotiations (or say “yes” to an event) armed with data, you’re not just another musician who’ll undercut themselves for a beer and a pat on the back.

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You’re a professional who values their craft—and trust me, venues notice.

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So get quoting, get playing, and hey, drop us a line if you have any stories about insane offers you’ve received (like “here’s a sandwich and two drink tickets—sound good?”).

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We love hearing them, and we love helping you push back against that madness.

Now, go forth and gig—but do it on your terms.

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About Mélo:

We’re building the simplest way to book and discover live music in the UK.

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We are tired of hearing about “agent drama” and “I have no idea how to price my show.”

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We’ve got you.

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Our Free UK Gig Calculator is just the start.