Absolutely. This is sort of what we're doing in the Fix already, and plan to do on websites, etc. I'll chat to the boss about the idea of a poster run too. Cheers!

At $25 per band, $75 isn't a huge deal in my opinion. Even if you're charging $5 to get in the door, that's only 15 people you need to cover costs. True the Kings Arms charge you $90 ($30 p/ band) but the Kings Arms have gigs 7 days a week.

You have to understand that while "struggling bands" struggle to pay for a venue hireage... we don't want to become a struggling venue. My official charge as venue booker (hello, I'm Matthew) is to book bands and events that are likely to get 200+ people through the door in a night. I'm the first person to champion local acts (often literally the first!) and I'm all about getting underground entertainment out there. I've worked with a lot of the more known bands in town and have done all I can to push them further into places they might not have otherwise gone...

BUT!

I can't give a Friday or Saturday night away to just anyone, as that's the time our bar will make its money. Bar needs money to survive (pay barstaff, rent, alcohol, security, promotions...) and we can't just do things for fun. If you seriously think $75 is too much, then you might just have to deal with not getting more mics, doing without turntables at the venue, etc etc etc... These are all things I'm pushing to get as I want it to be the best bar in town. What I often suggest to "strugglers" is to try a Thursday night show for starters, or to pair up with a band that has a bigger following... I have most of the contacts for bands like these and if you like I can try play band-Cupid... schoonertavern@gmail.com.

If your band gets 50 people along at $5 a head, then that's $250 all up... I see how $75 sounds like a lot then. But if you're charging $8-$10 and you get 150 people along... then you're getting over $1,000... see?

To whoever asked if "once we've paid off the p.a. will we stop charging?" ... Maybe. Like I've said before, it's an exercise in fairness and trial & error. The Kings Arms is a pretty established venue who have found their niche. Can you guys tell me the score at Dogs Bollix? What's the setup there? As far as I know they don't have a set sound person...

Just to let you know, the Schooner Tavern is now sponsoring a segment on my radio show (Wed 10-12 on bFM) which will be an album of the week type thing, followed by my "casual" insertion of what's happening at the Schooner that week, this also qualifies all acts to get on the gig guide... (also if you know of a free gig guide we can help you get on let me know - currently we're in the Herald, on bFM, Cheese on Toast, Groove Guide, the Fix...) We're getting more and more publicity with your shows listed in them... and we're working on a special price for bands who want to advertise on bFM but don't have a huge budget.

All the bands I've talked to have had a great time at the Schooner, and the international acts who've played there have all commented on how much they love the place. We're still working on the stage, perfecting the lighting, etc etc etc... and as always comments and criticisms welcome. You might just have to deal with an overly long response from me!!!

Matthew @ the Schooner - 021 66 95 94 - schoonertavern@gmail.com

Hello everyone,

Not sure if this thread is dead... but it's worth me posting a thread stating our case.

I've had a number of calls from concerned promoters wondering if they're going to have a nightmarish experience at the Schooner Tavern; all thanks to this one post. Well done NZMUSIC.COM! It's good to know people can make a difference, for better or worse.

I'd just like to point out that at the time these posts were written, the Schooner had been running as a venue for around three weeks. That's not long to iron out the creases... The bar manager you're referring to is not the owner, the owner was in Wellington on business and had left this guy in charge. This guy has been reprimanded for mistreating bands, and will not be in charge of things in the future. The rider situation has also been rectified and improved, there is security posted full-time in the area where people could potentially have sneaked in previously...

The Schooner is a fantastic venue; good looking, good sounding, a nice alternative to grotty old "other venues", and 99% of bands who have played there have loved it - increasingly so. Ian Svenonius of Weird War said it's the best room he's ever seen, and if was to have a pub he would make it exactly like the Schooner.

The drinks are reasonable, the tall beers are economical and a nice novelty, there are tap beers...

We have a brand new P.A. which cost a lot of money; hence the reasonable p.a./venue hire. Currently we have two recommended sound guys, but have found that most artists prefer to use their own people - so we've not seen much point hiring someone full-time (this may change if demand is there...)

The owner has had run-ins with a couple of bands, it's true - but what these bands have not mentioned in their complaints is that they were all caught smuggling their own alcohol into the venue, and drinking on the streets; an offence that we get massive fines for if caught.

From now on, there will be a HAPPY HOUR introduced from when the doors open. Cheaper drinks from 8.30-9.30, or 9-10 depending.

These next few weeks are looking amazing; kicking off with tonight's Ryan McPhundraiser (Chris Knox, the Reduction Agents, the Nudie Suits...and maybe even an appearance by McPhun himself!), the Fanatics/Demi-Whores/James Duncan on Friday, and XIU XIU (USA) with Phelps & Munro with Pumice on Saturday (tickets from Real Groovy).

For any bookings/queries/etc call Matthew on 021 66 95 94 or email schoonertavern@gmail.com.

Cheers!