|
Pacha NYC cut DJ fees in face of credit crunch
|
View this Thread in Original format
| euphoria |
Source: http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/int...f_credit_crunch
Pacha’s New York chief Eddie Dean chatted to Skrufff recently about the impact of the credit crunch and revealed that the Manhattan superclub is increasingly cutting DJ fees to balance the books. “DJ fees are really coming under scrutiny,” Eddie confirmed. “Certain DJs that have a proven track record can still demand a good price but other DJs either have to come down or you have to pass because you just can’t afford to pay them based on their history. In the past you could say, ‘well, we can pay the extra 5k (US$5,000) because we know we will be packed out’. Now, that isn’t always the case. You have to be very cautious, if you misjudge a DJ’s value you could get hurt. In New York City the weather is a factor too,” Eddie continued. “We have had seven weekends in a row where it has been raining, snowing or brutally cold. That’s made a difference,” he said.
However he was much more relaxed about the recent opening of Ministry Of Sound’s first ever club in New York following bullishly competitive comments from Ministry boss Mark Baker in a recent interview. Speaking to Blackbook’s Steven Lewis (a legendary New York promoter who previously worked for clubs including Limelight and Danceteria), Baker declared ‘we do not have a dance floor, and that makes a huge difference. It’s more about table service, sitting, more about entertainment, production, aerialists, and performers’, prompting much amusement from Eddie. “I’m not sure of the last time Mark Baker was here but we actually have tables and aerialists too,” he chuckled. “Though admittedly we do have a dance floor.”
He also conceded that bottle service, the practise popular with rich bankers who’d pay thousands of dollars for bottles of spirits and private tables, ‘certainly isn’t what it used to be’. “Up until quite recently a good client would come in every week, now you may see them two times a month. Some people will still come but no longer hire a table. Either way it has had an effect on all clubs in New York,” he said. “Our VIPs come from all over, we get a lot of Euros and South Americans and they have all been hit with the economic downturn as well and aren’t traveling so much. We still attract a lot of hedge fund VIPs as well, let’s just say they aren’t spending like they used too,” he added.
“Is recession good for nightlife? Only time will tell,” he mused. “A place like Pacha has to work very hard to overcome the economic downturn and that’s what we’re doing, we’re working our butts off because people have high expectations when they come here. We have to make sure they have an amazing experience,” he said. “And as far as Ministry Of Sound opening in New York is concerned, I think it is good for the overall dance scene. It will be interesting to see if their style will translate here,” he added. |
|
|
| DJslantzz |
| I know it's a long-shot, but maybe this will force clubs to really push their staff to treat clubbers a bit better instead of the usual nonsense most of you as well as I have witnessed in the past couple years in NYC. It goes a long way if a staff member goes an extra step at a venue for you when you are paying a decent amount to see a DJ, and maybe even draw larger numbers after a while. |
|
|
| Frequency Frank |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJslantzz
I know it's a long-shot, but maybe this will force clubs to really push their staff to treat clubbers a bit better instead of the usual nonsense most of you as well as I have witnessed in the past couple years in NYC. It goes a long way if a staff member goes an extra step at a venue for you when you are paying a decent amount to see a DJ, and maybe even draw larger numbers after a while. |
Or, if DJ's/agents start reducing their expected payouts enough so that someone that used to cost $25-30 in entrance fees now costs $10-15. It takes a bit of an ego check for the artist, but would better allow the music to thrive. |
|
|
| DJslantzz |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frequency Frank
Or, if DJ's/agents start reducing their expected payouts enough so that someone that used to cost $25-30 in entrance fees now costs $10-15. It takes a bit of an ego check for the artist, but would better allow the music to thrive. |
Frank, I would still pay your $20K DJ fee if I was a promoter. :clown: |
|
|
| Frequency Frank |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJslantzz
Frank, I would still pay your $20 DJ fee if I was a promoter. :clown: |
Fixed for accuracy :D |
|
|
| mfelner29 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frequency Frank
Or, if DJ's/agents start reducing their expected payouts enough so that someone that used to cost $25-30 in entrance fees now costs $10-15. It takes a bit of an ego check for the artist, but would better allow the music to thrive. |
Well said :) |
|
|
| DJslantzz |
| quote: | Originally posted by Frequency Frank
Or, if DJ's/agents start reducing their expected payouts enough so that someone that used to cost $25-30 in entrance fees now costs $10-15. It takes a bit of an ego check for the artist, but would better allow the music to thrive. |
Or more locals just start becoming headliners...eh Frank???????:)
Hey one could always dream... |
|
|
| mfelner29 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJslantzz
Or more locals just start becoming headliners...eh Frank???????:)
Hey one could always dream... |
I'm not doubting it one bit :). NYC has been a breading ground for the moment of local dj's becoming headliner's not only in NYC but around the world. Sean Tyas, Filo & Peri, Serge Devant, Victor Calderone, Jonathan Peters, Jason Jollins, DJ Eco, Tom Colontonio, and the list just keeps going on! Looking forward to see more of Frank's choon's :D |
|
|
| jurel |
As for Ministry of Sound...
I was there on Friday for Roger Sanchez - there was a $30 cover (even though i showed up at 11:15pm for the comp before 12 list) and a gin & tonic costed me $19.50 plus tip.
The comp thing i expected, first month of every club is never as smooth as it can be to say the least.
The place is dumb IMO, its circular couches taking up an entire airplane hangar. I was only able to dance in the bar area.
On a good note, Roger absolutely demolished the place. :) |
|
|
| FastFashion |
| quote: | Originally posted by jurel
As for Ministry of Sound...
I was there on Friday for Roger Sanchez - there was a $30 cover (even though i showed up at 11:15pm for the comp before 12 list) and a gin & tonic costed me $19.50 plus tip.
The comp thing i expected, first month of every club is never as smooth as it can be to say the least.
The place is dumb IMO, its circular couches taking up an entire airplane hangar. I was only able to dance in the bar area.
On a good note, Roger absolutely demolished the place. :) |
What the fkity fk???19.50 for one drink??????????
Where is the place located? And most importantly, did the place fill? |
|
|
| MeLLyMeL |
every dj at the moment should lower their booking fee.
period.
then, smaller promoters can book these dj's and I wont have to bother stepping foot @ pacha :).
but seriously.. they should. |
|
|
| swayne21 |
its the jobs of the promters not the deejays to fill the clubs. the deejays need to get paid for their services :conf: :conf: :conf: :conf: :conf: :conf: :conf: :conf: are the nightclubs getting lazy and using an excuse to not pay now ?
:eyes: |
|
|
|
|
