MUSICIANS are often required to submit hospitality requirements when booked to perform.
Some artists make requests that are costly and difficult for promoters to meet.
Veteran musician Loyiso Bala has weighed in on the issue, expressing concern over what he describes as excessive demands from some artists.
The 46-year-old multi-award-winning, internationally renowned and platinum-selling R&B singer, recently took to his Facebook account to share his views.
He revealed that, in just one week, he heard of two artists who refused to go on stage because their hospitality riders were not fully met.
"Many of these riders call for very specific alcohol brands and quantities such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Hennessy XO, Clase Azul and Ace of Spades, along with sealed bottle conditions and premium mixers. There's nothing wrong with reasonable hospitality requests, but it becomes difficult to defend when, for instance, a DJ is booked, and the alcohol requested reads like a party shopping list for 20 people," he said.
Loyiso said that in some cases, artists arrive late to gigs and still insist on going through their rider before performing, putting the entire event at risk of running overtime and creating tension with audiences who are already waiting.
ALSO READ | Star's Christmas boycott!Opens in new window
"Food, I understand, as some artists genuinely need to eat before going on stage, but alcohol can wait. I've also noticed that many artists don't actually know what is in their contracts. These demands are often drawn up by managers in the name of their desire to be treated like VVIPs. Sometimes you later realise the artist did not even drink the alcohol, either because they do not drink or because it was taken back to the hotel," he said.
Loyiso further pointed out that these demands are often overlooked costs borne by promoters.
"In many cases, especially without sponsors, promoters carry a huge financial risk while the artist's fee remains guaranteed regardless of attendance. Look, I'm not advocating for artists to work under unfair conditions or ones that limit their ability to deliver. I'm simply asking for more awareness, balance and consideration for the realities on the other side," he said.
He emphasised that artists should view themselves as service providers within the industry.
"That's what this work is. You are being booked to deliver a service to an audience and to the people carrying the risk behind the scenes. In fact, the client is the one who pays you and not the other way round," said the musician.
He concluded by saying his message was shared with good intentions and a desire to see artists succeed in the long term.
"Longevity in this industry is built as much on how you show up as it is on how you perform. This industry is smaller than it looks. People remember everything. Choose wisely," added Loyiso.
