Roughly what would a band of DD's popularity get paid a gig?

[sugarlips]

I should stress I'm not interested in prying into the band's finances or anything personal, just curious to know how viable it is for bands like them to stay on the road?

What are the costs involved to the band, do promoters swallow the cost of advertising the gigs?

I read that Prince was paid US$500k a night in the mid 00's (ie long after the hits dried up) which sounds huge but I assume the artist pays for all employees which might be a long list for example:

PA's, backing vox, make up & costume people, runners at each venue, coach/plane/limo hire, hired musicians (like Dom, Anna Ross etc), then you have to split it with your band mates, nowadays the record label want a piece and the taxman wants say 40%...?!

Where is the break even point, do they have to do 3 legs to make money?

Then their is tour merch, how does that work?

Sorry for all the q's just an outsider interested in the industry

[La Princess]

It really depends on whether you are talking things like non profit, radio events or private shows. I have put together concerts for both radio stations and charity events and there are many expenses. If it's a non profit, many bands will play in return for having all expenses paid. These could include a bar tab the night of the show, hotel room, food, etc. Some will pay all the other things, like a sound system, other band members, etc. It just varies. Having said that I do have an interesting DD story but this is something I was told. There is an alternative station in Chicago called Q101 and years ago they used to have shows to raise money for charities. DD played at a couple of them (I think one was suicide prevention, can't remember). The story goes (keep in mind this is second hand news)that they were going to be playing for free or cheap but in return they wanted nice hotel rooms, etc. Being they were the biggest act on the lineup they received this. This was non profit so that makes a difference. I think for private parties the person booking them pays for everything. However, I have never known anyone doing that so just a guess.

Oh I re read and you're asking about tours. That's a bit different since that's a money maker. It varies but usually performers have to pay for pretty much everything out of the ticket prices, though some promoters, venues pay. Concerts are usually where bands make money, not to mention merchandise (though usually give the venue or promoter a percentage). A lot of the people you mention work at the venue so it probably wouldn't pertain to the band though might through a percentage of the ticket.

[darkmavis]

As for merchandise, consider T-Shirt buying costs at about US$ 3-4 a piece (not made in the glorious USA, but in the not so glorious Bangladesh), while they sell it for US$ 40 a piece or so. Basecaps, US$ 4 buying costs in China, selling for US$ 25-40, and so on. Tour book, maybe 8-10$ in production, depending on the printer's origin, if printed in China or Czech Republic it should be cheaper, selling for double the amount, actually a bargain. Also, mugs are sold quite cheaply, considering their buying costs. Yet, you don't want to carry that weight around with you for too long...