Which Pay Structure Is Used More In The Music Business Pay To Play Three Walling, Or Four Walling And Where Are They Used??

 {Part 3 Musicians & Pay}

Part 1 - 

The Good The Bad And The Not So Ugly Sides Of Pay To Play In The Music Industry

Part 2 - 

What Are Three Walling And Four Walling In The Music Business?

Part 3 Today -

Which Pay Structure Is Used The Most For Musicians To Get Paid, And Where Are They Used?

In the music business, the most commonly used structure depends on the level of the artist, venue, and market. 

Here's a breakdown of each model and its prevalence in the business.

Pay to Play

This is more common in smaller venues, especially in major cities with competitive music scenes (e.g., Los Angeles). Unsigned or emerging artists often face this model, where they must sell a certain number of tickets or pay upfront to perform. While it's frowned upon by many musicians, it's still widely used for local showcases and battle-of-the-bands events.

Three-Walling

This is a hybrid approach where the venue handles some aspects (like the bar, security, or ticketing), while the artist/promoter rents the space for the performance. This model is more common in mid-sized venues or independent theater-style venues that aren't primarily music clubs.

Four-Walling

In this model, the artist or promoter rents the entire venue and controls ticket sales, production, and all associated costs. This is most commonly used for higher-level independent artists or promoters who are confident in their ability to sell tickets and make a profit. It's often seen in theaters, casinos, and some larger independent venues.

Where Are They Most Commonly Used?

Pay-to-play dominates small club scenes but is mostly avoided by established artists.

Three-Walling is common for mid-tier artists and promoters who want some venue support.

Four-Walling is used by bigger independent acts, tribute bands, or promoters who want total control.

In general, three-walling and four-walling are more prevalent in the industry than pay-to-play, especially for artists with an established following. 

All three are forms of self-financing in the music business, where artists or promoters cover upfront costs. Three-walling simply means renting a venue while sharing profits with the house. Four-walling is fully renting a space and keeping all revenue, while Pay-to-play requires artists to buy or sell tickets to perform.

Pick Your Poison (Wisely)

GE