Hey, do Toronto bands tip the sound guy?

I just finished reading Punk Rock Etiquette, which is a charming and informative book by a fellow from Texas named Travis Nichols. It’s one of many amazing books that the Make Some Noise program at the Toronto Public Library recently recommended, and I’m very glad to have taken them up on reading it.

It admittedly didn’t tell me much that I didn’t already know, but that’s mainly because I’m old enough to have made a bunch of relevant mistakes in my time. Seriously, guys, if you’ve only gotten to know me recently, then you’ve probably got no idea how many unabashedly third-rate shows I’ve put together. And yes, I’ve had my share of successes, but I’m not even sure they’ve taught me nearly as much as the dismal bombs I dumped on the world.

That said, this bit of advice took me by surprise: “When you get paid, tip the sound guy (if there was one) a few bucks. It’s customary. Five is nice.”

Is this actually a custom in Toronto? Because I’ve honestly never heard of anyone tipping the sound guy – or girl, but basically guy – at the end of a local show. I think it’s a terrific idea, given the amount of thankless work they tend to do, but I’ve never heard of anybody doing it. Hopefully, that’s just because I’ve always been in the DJ and/or promoter role, and I just haven’t happened to witness any bands in Toronto tipping the sound personnel.

Do people playing in Toronto do this? If they do, then great. If they don’t, then maybe they should.

Posted in Uncategorized