From top: Starbucks, Thomas Street, Limerick; The spat with Steamboat Music
Starbucks on Thomas Street, Limerick seeking a little of the post-pub live music pie, asked for local musicians to come in and play for the casual audience
But were they willing to pay for their slice of said pie?
Apparently not, looking as they were to “showcase their venue”.
This drew a rise from Steamboat Music, local instrument/record shop, who invited Starbuck’s to “showcase” their coffee for free in their own establishment, before telling them where to go.
A truce had subsequently been made between the two parties, with Steamboat offering to help the local Starbuck’s in their musical affairs, ahead of Steamboat’s post-HMV expansion into records, movies and graphic novels in October, until a customer of Steamboat’s came to them bearing bad tidings…
So we thought we had come to a friendly arrangement with (manager of local) Starbuck’s over his attempt to exploit musicians, but like his employer’s coffee, he’s full of… sugar.
Now they’re back to their exploiting ways, a very young, talented customer of ours was offered a gig for the sweet, sweet nothing of “EXPOSURE”, and we can’t allow that. We started this fight for musicians and by god, we’ll end it.
We’ve decided, just out of pig iron, when we open our new superstore in October, we’re putting in a cafe upstairs with the CDs, DVDs, records & comics, and we’re going to have paid gigs for musicians and free coffee on Saturdays until Christmas.
All discussion, conjecture and side-taking to be had with hashtag #StarbucksvsSteamboat.
FIGHT!
Excellent stuff, good on them
Good man, boys. Best of luck with it!
Evil star bucks, the EU are investigating them for VAT evasion
How dare they..
Paying €45 in corp. tax last year, and they won’t even punt in a few quid for a guarantee for the bands.
Its a franchise. The franchisee pays tax on profits. The corporation to which the franchise pays its franchise fees avoids tax. The franchisee may be barely staying afloat financially, and the few quid that would get punted in would come from the franchisees profits.
And the franchisee hasn’t got a massive advantage in brand leverage over other places? Why shouldn’t they pay the artist for the time and effort and set it against the extra business live music brings in?
I’m not saying they should not. Just that the payment would not be coming from the rich corporation that avoids tax.
Duly noted, with apologies for getting defensive.
Duly noted, with apologies for getting defensive.
It’s not a franchise tho ….. http://www.whichfranchise.ie/index.cfm?action=articles&articleId=294
yikes. I’m outta here.
Haha… I thought the same as you Jammy!!!
Monkey see monkey do
Starbucks stings Ireland
landlord stings musician
It’s not the landlord it is Starbuck’s management staff.
Hope this works for the record shop :)
Fair play on their stance…
I don’t buy starbucks anyway… but I’ll boycott them aswell…
Good job lads
Don’t see the problem here. Starbucks are giving smaller musicians who don’t get paid gigs a platform to put themselves out there and maybe get noticed by some pub managers or maybe an upcoming wedding couple.
So where are original musicians to start getting paid gigs? And even if they are in the situation of looking to court bookers, etc., what about their overheads and materials?
Consider it an internship. It’s reasonable that for a musician, where talent can vary so much that you might want to see hear the person before booking them. If you choose an ‘arts’ career you cant expect to be earning full wage from the beginning
Also what overheards? Limerick is a small town, it’s not like you’re paying big transport cost to get there. They already own their instruments. I’m sure they get some coffee & cake on the house to, too starve away any hunger.
People should get a fair days wage for a fair days work
#repealthe8th
People like you are the reason your generation is so entitled.
https://twitter.com/charlesarthur/status/771739904795607040
(It should be noted that that link is basically a cherry picked example that suits a specific point of view. I have no idea how much of that type of bullsugar goes on.)
“If you choose an ‘arts’ career you cant expect to be earning full wage from the beginning”
If you own a sandwich shop, why can you expect to get other people’s services for free?
Because I have real over heads like product, rent, staff. They’re allowing a platform for young artists to get themselves out there. Nobody is forcing any body to sign up.
Would you work for free?
If I was a young artist looking to gain exposure then yes.
“Because I have real over heads like product, rent, staff.”
Why should I care about your overheads?
“They’re allowing a platform for young artists to get themselves out there.”
He specifically asked for a band for a marketing event. He even says he’s looking to showcase his shop before all else. He wants a service to benefit his bottom line. Why does the fact he has overheads entitle him to free stuff from others?
You don’t have to care about the overheads, if you’re in a band and don’t agree, then don’t sign up. But many bands with a bit more foresight might see the gain in playing for an hour or two for free. The shop with real overheads get their publicity & the band who just need to turn up and sing, get their exposure and if they’re good enough, some future paid jobs.
Everyone’s happy!
“Nobody is forcing any body to sign up.”
Who said they were?
@Repealthe8th
and shojuld add most other employers have over heads and pay employees albeit min wage…
“But many bands with a bit more foresight might see the gain in playing for an hour or two for free”
No offence but that’s just delusional. No band will be doing anything for their career by playing in a Limerick sandwich shop. Also, the vast majority of bands that aren’t made up of teenagers expect to be paid. They are providing you with a service you want. You have to pay for it. Simple.
“just need to turn up and sing”?
Who knew it was that easy?
Well what else do they have to do? It’s not like it’s manual work.
Troll
Sure all you have to do is put a slice of ham into a bread roll. How about a couple of hundred people show up at this sandwich shop, order a sandwich and then offer to tell their friends how nice the sandwich was instead of paying money for it when they get to the till? That’s fair, right?
No. It’s not the same. The product the sandwich shop is selling cost money. The strums of a guitar do not.
What about instrument maintenance and upkeep. Also the years of hard graft and money spent on lessons.
They’re the talented ones, you’re the idiot making the sandwiches.
So your answer to “would you work for free” is “no”. You just expect others to.
The thing is if a business Starbucks aren’t willing to pay musicians who will? Your idea of the great opportunity for a musician being a wedding gig shows you haven’t a clue and your username would back that up.
“The strums of a guitar do not.”
The guitar, the strings, the sound system, the microphone, petrol and my time do, though. So if you get my service for free, then I should get yours for free.
As I’ve said before. No band has to agree to do this, you can stay at home with all your principles and lack of gigs. Instead some bands might see this as the opportunity it is, a win win for both the coffee shop and band. They both get exposure, good day out and potential future custom. Hopefully there’s still some bands out there with foresight
Of which I’m sure the ‘artist’ will be gifted some coffee and cakes during their set for free. So yep, both people get each other’s services for free…
“you can stay at home with all your principles”
Or I could get a paid gig.
“Instead some bands might see this as the opportunity it is”
Most non teenagers and non idiots will realise the chances of them being seen by a talent spotter in a Limerick sandwich shop are non existant.
If this guy wants live music for his shop, he can pay for it or go without. Very simple.
‘Foresight enough to thoroughly devalue their chosen profession.’
Starbucks = You’re stung
It’s to “stave” off the hunger, not “starve” away the hunger you prique.
But you agree with my point otherwise yes? Great!
Who cares? We have freedom of contract in this country. If the parties agree there is a mutual benefit there is not necessarily a requirement for financial consideration.
Yea theyr really helping the up’an coming musicians by turning them down i see your point..
Goodbye agitator, close the door on your way out
They’re organising gigs in there own premises.
Great shop. One of a small few businesses brightening up what should really be one of the best parts of town, but sadly isn’t.
– Steamboat Mickeyfex
Starbucks?
I’m surprised there isn’t a Boycott Starbucks movement going yet.
@Mourinho: give it time
PS I believe the labourer’s worthy of the hire.
Theyr will be very soon
Thats why Howlins on the PR offensive
Damage control
Corporatocracy tax haven on the ropes
wait, people are starting to move away from the pub scene a bit?
This isn’t the Ireland I know.
National Socialism masquerading as a “democracy”
Now pay your taxes and shut up
So we’re Nazis? Does Goodwin’s apply here?
National Socialism – as practiced by members of Youth Defence?
Unknowingly you support the christian democrats
A cartel of national socialists who hide under the umbrella of democracy
Thats for harry btw
Nah, Nazis were very pro-‘bortion.
George Soros is pro life
A fake opposer of abortion?
Nigel = Soros
This is a problem everywhere now.
Play music for our store for free expose.
Design our signs and adverts for free exposure.
Build our app for free exposure.
Build our website for free exposure.
Stand naked in our window for free exposure!
Die of (free) exposure
Great reply there lads.
Oh and Starbucks….if only there was a proper campaign to urge coffee-drinkers to support their local and indigenous coffee shops.