Last updated: May 2026
Musicians Union recommended live rates (updated 1st May 2026) – rates per musician
- Casual engagements for groups performing in pubs/clubs for up to 3 hours: £167.16
- Casual engagements for groups performing at functions of up to 4 hours: £222.88
- Overtime: hourly rate of £55.72 payable at time and a half, therefore £83.58 per hour (or part thereof)
- Setting up time: The engagement is payable at the hourly rate from whatever time the musician is required to have his/her instruments and equipment set up.
This is taken from the Musicians Union Website:
If musicians can agree on anything, it’s that no-one should perform for free but typically there’s always a musician out there who will perform for cheaper. Considering this how much should professional and aspiring professional musicians charge and how should they negotiate their desired fee?
Negotiate, don’t just accept the first fee
It’s sensible to rebuff a suggested fee, musicians should never settle for an asking price. By proposing a higher fee than the one originally offered it’s likely that musicians will be able to settle on a reasonable fee that will suit their needs.
Considering this, Last Minute Musician Jonathan Scott says,
Estimating what punters will pay is a dark art. You have to work that out then go slightly under so they think they’ve got a bargain. When it comes down to it, especially in hard times, it’s better to do a lot of cheaper (not cheap) gigs than not many well paid ones.
Jonathan Scott
It is, of course, worth mentioning that if a musician demands too high a fee then it is likely to be rejected. Fees should be fair on both sides, after all a bar/club has to pay its own overheads.
The amount charged for a performance should reflect:
- Musicians qualifications and experience
- Duration of performance
- The distance travelled to the gig
- The size of the band
Have a standard rate and stick to it
Unless the gig offered is for charity, it is recommended by the MU that gig rates should not waiver. A standard rate should take all costs into account, enabling the musician to earn a fair amount for their work.
It is also very important that musicians get all agreed payments in writing ideally, signed by both parties. This will avoid confusion at the end of a gig when receiving the fee from the promoter. This is not uncommon and some rogue promoters may attempt to deceive musicians into being paid a smaller fee.
Last Minute Musicians Director of Music, Sarah-Jane Morris says
So often the client doesn’t read the price guide or genuinely doesn’t understand that this is our job that we have studied for years to accomplish. I always stick to the prices that our artists have given us.
Sarah-Jane Morris
Ensure that all expenses are covered in the fee
It is only fair that musicians should not have to pay to travel to a gig. Along with added money for travel, it is often the case – although not mandatory – that musicians are given free soft drinks and a hot meal.
The musicians point of view
Amidst arguments from some musicians claiming that amateur hobbyists are taking money away from professionals, many musicians throughout the UK will still perform for lesser fees – regardless of MU recommended fees.
Musician Kit Packham said on the Last Minute Musicians Facebook page, “The Union was founded as a protection Union. One that protects us from unscrupulous employers and protect us from ourselves.
The gist of the MU’s advice is still ‘don’t sell yourself cheap’ but when the market’s flooded it’s not easy to compete – even when your ‘product’ is top quality.”
It seems as though everyone has a theory on how to improve a musician’s rate of pay, including rather extreme plans to boycott music venues that do not pay a fair fee. One theory that seems to hold a certain amount of promise is the education of hobbyists as to how their actions are affecting self employed working musicians.
Considering that many ‘weekend warriors’ and hobbyists earn their living in another profession, they are happy to play for a lower fee and it is natural that, within the cut-throat capitalist market, a music venue is going to try and get their entertainment at the lowest cost possible.
Frequently asked questions about musician rates
How much should I charge per hour as a musician?
The Musicians Union recommends a minimum hourly overtime rate of £55.72, which gives a useful baseline. However, many working musicians in the UK charge between £40 and £150 per hour depending on their experience, genre, location, and the type of event. A solo acoustic act might charge £80–£150 for a two-hour set at a pub, while session musicians can command higher rates for studio work.
How much should I charge for a 3 hour gig?
According to the MU’s recommended live rates, a musician performing a casual engagement at a pub or club for up to 3 hours should charge at least £167.16. For functions and private events, the recommended minimum for up to 4 hours is £222.88. These are per-musician rates, so a four-piece band should be charging at least four times this amount.
How much do pub gigs pay in the UK?
Pub gigs in the UK typically pay between £100 and £300 for a 2–3 hour set, though this varies significantly. Smaller venues may offer £40–£100, while established cover bands playing popular weekend slots can earn £350–£500. The MU recommends a minimum of £167.16 per musician for up to 3 hours, but in practice many pubs pay below this threshold – which is why it’s important for musicians to negotiate and know their worth.
Useful free tools from Last Minute Musicians
free contract generator for musicians
free invoice generator for musicians
More tools from Last Minute Musicians.
Related article: Musicians wages – the great debate
Do you provide a musical service? What do you think about the recommended minimum rates? Let us know in the comments below!
