Rock nights in a hired pub or hall

Gig-goers buying tickets at the door or online, and sometimes the host venue sharing bar takings with you.

Ticket sales minus band fees, sound and room hire, plus any agreed share of bar takings or a hire arrangement with the venue.

• Finding and booking bands
• Social media and poster promotion
• Negotiating deals with venues
• Organising on the night

• Check who holds the liquor licence and music licences. Usually the venue does, but confirm in writing
• Public liability insurance, since some venues ask hirers to carry their own
• Ticket sales can fall short, so set a budget and a break-even number before you commit to band fees
• Clear written agreements with bands about fees, set times and cancellations
• Check the venue's capacity and security requirements, and whether your state requires licensed crowd controllers

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on band fees, promotion, insurance and any room hire. Set a budget and a break-even ticket number before committing to band fees.

Check who holds the liquor and music licences, and confirm it in writing with the venue. Also check public liability insurance, venue capacity, security requirements, whether your state requires licensed crowd controllers, and agreements with bands.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on ticket sales, how often you run nights and any bar takings shared with the venue. Ticket sales can fall short, so plan carefully.