Musicology

An extract from the paper showing sumarised results is given below.

Most clubs ran on a weekly basis –

There was a mixture of club types – a quarter never ran ‘Singers’ Nights’ (evenings where only local amateurs perform). The same number ran an equal number of ‘Singers’ Nights’ as ‘Guest Nights’, where paid visiting performers headlined. A slight majority had more ‘Singers’ Nights’ than ‘Guest Nights’ –

The majority of such headline acts were professional artists, making a living full-time from music –

The most highly represented age range attending the clubs, by some margin, was 50-60 year olds –

Numbers have on the whole stayed the same over the last three years, with more clubs reporting an increase in attendances rather than a decrease –

The most typical audience size (for a guest night) was 31-40. In the case where a club never ran a guest night they were asked to answer in respect of singers’ nights –

Generally guests were paid with a fee, though a number of clubs reported in the comments deals like a guaranteed minimum / percentage of the door takings, eg whichever the greater –

The vast majority of guest artists were paid over £100. In these cases, numbers from £100 to £1800 were reported.

The typical entrance price was “£6 or over but less than £10”. Clubs were asked to answer in respect of non-member prices, so it should be borne in mind that if a membership discount were offered then club members would be paying even less –

In the last financial year most clubs broke even –

(c) 2012 Colin Bailey, Bath Spa University