Pay to play: DJs to pay €5000 for gig at festival in Ibiza
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Pay to play: DJ to pay €5000 for gig at festival in Ibiza · Source: Julio M / Alamy Stock Foto
This is a new one. Right now, a report is making the rounds that is sure to drive some DJs up the wall. Allegedly, the Ibiza Global Festival marketing team, a festival in Ibiza, is asking for 5000 euros for a DJ slot. What’s behind the story? And is this a preview of things to come?
Festival in Ibiza charges 5000 euros for a DJ gig
It’s no secret that the world of electronic music is more often than not about money, not artistic expression. DJs are often paid quite handsomely for gigs, and the fortunes of big stars like Steve Aoki have been growing evermore. Ever since the boom in EDM and its success in the USA, “the sky is the limit” has become increasingly true. And now a report is going viral that actually fits in well with this picture—although in a completely different way.
We’ve now seen a few reports online that a festival in Ibiza charges 5,000 euros for a DJ slot. The background to that is that a few days ago, London-based artist Arnaud le Texier showed the response one of his “students” received from the Ibiza Global Festival marketing team after applying for a DJ slot. Instead of them accepting or rejecting, he was told that a slot at the festival was available for 5,000 euros. The fee would include promotion before, during, and after the festival.
Is pay to play here to stay?
Arnaud le Texier’s Facebook post has already been shared numerous times, including by various prominent DJs. Understandably, there’s a lot of outrage. However, there are also those who point out that it is quite normal, even for some DJs who have been DJing for a long time, to sometimes play free shows all over the world, and sometimes even pay money for gigs. And anyone who’s ever wanted to be a DJ knows that you often have to perform for little or no money in the beginning. Some bands may have been in a similar situation.
Theoretically, a paid slot at a well-attended and respected festival could even function as a promotion and increase your “market value.” After all, buying likes and fans on social media or using various tricks to improve chart positions is far from unusual these days.
What do you think about this? Have you experienced anything similar? Then tell us in the comments, on Facebook, or on Instagram in the comments section!
Videos about pay to play and the festival in Ibiza
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3 responses to “Pay to play: DJs to pay €5000 for gig at festival in Ibiza”
Pay to play has been an issue for bands on the up-and-coming circuit for several decades. Saying “some bands may have been in a similar situation” shows surprising lack of knowledge/research about the gigging circuit.
Its called business techno and for example Amelie Lens payed to play on tomorrow land a few years back and look now she makes a shit load of money.
Finally! DJ’s getting paid what they’re worth! 😂