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I was wondering where are the bars and other places that have cover bands on at night in Auckland. Anyone know of the places?

I think they have all gone. Ten years ago, there were several pubs that had a regular covers band every weekend; but now you are lucky if you get a duo playing on a Sunday afternoon.

My most recent sightings of cover bands:
Grey Lynn RSA
Glen Eden RSA

Think Doolan Brothers still has them.

See duos at plenty of places

Post GFC pub gig budgets dropped down do that it’s only viable for duos. Or duos with backing tracks.

Other than that, corporate and social event gigs are where it’s at. Not see easy to crack but that’s where the money is for the right band.

JHorner wrote:My most recent sightings of cover bands:
Grey Lynn RSA
Glen Eden RSA

OMG, you frequent the GE RSA?

What did you see?

jvpp wrote:

JHorner wrote:My most recent sightings of cover bands:
Grey Lynn RSA
Glen Eden RSA

OMG, you frequent the GE RSA?

What did you see?

Frequent? No.

Who was playing there? Captain Snappy.

really that surprises me not being from Auk, we still have plenty of venues here in the Bay, and last time I went thru the tron there was a good few choices on the fri nite I was there, we have the Cabana in Napier which solely exists as a place for live music most of the touring acts, and the locals, has ukulele, open mic ,and jam nights well supported by the Music machine local music store and the Common Room in Hastings. Gisborne as well seemed well sorted with Smash Palace

Things have changed huh. There used to be quite good bands playing at parties in West Auckland in the late 80s. Probably the best cover band then was called Dry Ice. They used to pack out pub venues. Westward Ho mostly. Then there was five bands ofr five buck at the Powerstation. Always bands on to see and they usually played 100 watt Marshalls. Now a 15 watt amp on 3 would get noise control turning up. I think it will come back though just like it did after disco killed the loud guitar band scene for a while.

Five bands for 5 bucks, open mics and jam nights still exist, Jazz nights, blues nights, acoustic duos, plenty of those, but they are a different deal to the question asked.

Places covers bands play are places willing to pay >$1500 for a 4 or 5 piece band. Not so many of those left.

Do covers or tribute bands ever have to pay anything to the original artists? how does that work?

Do covers bands play anywhere in the CBD?

jeremyb wrote:Do covers or tribute bands ever have to pay anything to the original artists? how does that work?

Venues that host bands or music as entertainment pay a fee to APRA.

If a covers band submits their set list to APRA, then a percentage of the fee the venue pays is paid to the label or artist.

Worth noting that the same thing happens for original bands. The idea is you register with APRA and register your songs with them. Then when you play a gig, you provide APRA with the date and set list performed and a portion of the fee gets added to the artist account and makes up part of your annual payout. The more you gig, the more you get.

jimi wrote:Five bands for 5 bucks, open mics and jam nights still exist, Jazz nights, blues nights, acoustic duos, plenty of those, but they are a different deal to the question asked.

Places covers bands play are places willing to pay >$1500 for a 4 or 5 piece band. Not so many of those left.

Really. I figured there must be something out there for live music. I need to get out more. I am always trying to save money for the next guitar gadget or computer part, so going out rarely happens. Going out is very expensive these days too. Alcohol no longer agrees with me either, so there is not that incentive

Are there any pubs or bars in West Auckland who host bands - apart from those mentioned above?

Does the Poenamo on the Shore still have bands?