Canceling a scheduled show for a last minute booking

[nitekast]

We've covered how we feel about the bars and clubs canceling out on us due to several reasons but what are your thoughts about canceling one of your scheduled shows because you got a better offer elsewhere.

Twice this week i was called about playing this Saturday because the bars band bad canceled out but unfortunately we were booked so i had to decline. One of the venues was a place that i would really have liked to get into but my conscience got the best of me. I know how bad it sucks to be canceled out especially last minute so to me its bad karma to do the same thing.

[bassist_25]

My opinion is that it's a big no-no. Regardless of whether venues do that to bands or not, I believe that it ultimately harms your reputation if you cancel just to make a few more dollars somewhere else. We have worked with club owners with whom we have good relationships with to shift dates around to open dates for other venues, but that's different than calling up a venue and cancelling just because you got a better offer somewhere else for the night.

Building long-term relationships is something that I believe that many musicians, along with venue owners and promoters, forget about.

[tonefight]

Yeah it may be tempting but will hurt you in the long run.

[MeYatch]

I agree, its uncool.

[Lisa]

I would have more respect from a band that turned me down because they were booked elsewhere but in the next sentenced expressed a high desire to book another time. You guys/gal are a classy group...you will have your chance at the other place I'm sure. I sure would give you a high recommendation.

[RobTheDrummer]

I think it depends what bar it is.

[Herman]

Don't ever play for the door.....you're burning yourself and the band ..peace....you know me......

[RobTheDrummer]

Don't ever play for the door.....you're burning yourself and the band ..peace....you know me......

What if that's all that's offered to you?

[VENTGtr]

One of the venues was a place that i would really have
liked to get into but my conscience got the best of me. I know how bad it
sucks to be canceled out especially last minute so to me its bad karma to
do the same thing.

Your conscience was right and it shows character. There are things that
go along with that which can be plusses. To ME, the idea that you didn't
screw over another place to play at mine (Presuming I was a venue owner,
of course) would tell me that I can count on you not to bail at the last
second.

We lose our right to gripe when we do the same thing to a venue that, when
done to any of us by a venue, gets our ire.

And, BDP is right about the harm it can do to your rep. Enough to work
through nowadays without having something you've done to yourselves
as a hurdle.

[songsmith]

I try to maintain relationships with club managers that would allow for some wiggle-room. In most cases, I'd go to the previously-scheduled place and simply ask if it's possible, assuming I can find a replacement band. If it's not possible, then I'd simply abide by it.
That said, in 25 years, I can only remember that happening once or twice, and the new place would really have to be a sure bet, we cancelled once to play Hersheypark Amphitheatre. It's not something I really do, though. Right is right.--->JMS

[Pizon]

I've done that once before in a different band i was in, and believe me,
it wasn't worth it. Because of me being really dumb, we lost a really great venue. When you agree to play somewhere, stick with it, regardless of what offer comes your way. On the flip side, i don't agree
with some bar owners that want to cancel you because they feel they can
book a better show at the last minute. If you start cancelling gigs to do
what you think is a better one, it'll eventually come back to bite you in the
ass.

[RFBuck]

We've been offered better venues and had to turn them away because we were already booked...a deal is a deal. Rapid Fire was offered a chance to play a mutli-band show at Mr. Small's Theater in Pittsburgh not long ago and while this would have been a GREAT opportunity, unfortunately we had to refuse it because we already had a show scheduled.

Now, let me present a different scenario: would you cancel a show if you knew that nearby at another venue there was going to be a band that you KNEW would draw almost everyone and leave you playing for the spiders in the corners?? If you had arranged a set price with the venue owner and you knew they would be losing money would you still show up and say "Let's give this a shot" when you knew they were going to lose money and you would be standing there playing looking out to almost nobody??