The controversy over music venues utilizing a cover charge has beenongoing in Second Life for quite a few years. One Second Life
musician, Mankind Tracer, has come up with a Business Model called
CCS (Cover Charge System) for venues and musicians to begin using as a
mandatory cover charge tool to hear your favorite performers.
In an open letter to residents of Second Life, Mankind Tracer
explained how this type of system could be one answer to the
increasing problems of venue closings in-world due to the club owners
not being able to afford to pay their live performers in addition to
the tier costs of running their club. This Cover Charge System would
pay both the musician and the venue owner by an agreed upon percentage
beforehand, freeing the venue-owner from the burden of paying the
musician at all.
HOW IT WORKS--
The musician determines the cover charge amount and both venue and
musician agree beforehand on the percentage the venue will receive for
the show. (Mankind's letter suggests that a $500L cover charge might
be appropriate for his performances, with a 20% split going to the
venue.) The system would be set up prior to the event and once
activated, continually scans the club area for non-paying residents,
as well as logging paying residents into the system.
As residents enter, the CCS sends them a message asking them to pay
the cover charge. If they do not pay, predetermined security
personnel receive notices of avatar names who have not paid. These
security personnel will send the non-paying resident several warning
messages asking them to pay the fee. If they fail to pay after
numerous warnings, the avatar will be ejected from the venue.
CRASHES --
All paying and non-paying avatar names are kept in the system until
the owner clears the list. If an avatar crashes, they can return
without repaying. Likewise, if the sim crashes, they do not have to
repay when they return.
MONIES --
The performer determines the cover charge amount. And the percentage
that the venue would receive would be entirely up to the musician and
venue owner to predetermine. In this sense, the venue owners no
longer have the burden of paying the musician.
FIRST TEST --
At Thursday's first test of the system, Mankind Tracer set the cover
charge for one linden and performed for two hours at his "Sweet Spot"
venue. A considerable crowd was on hand, with several well-known
musicians and managers also in attendance. The crowd asked questions
in IM and on notecards and Mankind addressed each one in between
songs. While the system seemed to work well for this first 1L test
run, the true test would be to actually charge 500 Lindens and see
what the crowd does or doesn't do.
AVAILABILITY/COSTOnce the system is tweaked and more test runs are performed
successfully, the system would then be made available. Whether or not
there will be a cost associated with acquiring the actual system
hasn't been determined yet.
RAISING CONCERNS
Several concerns are evident. New residents do not have lindens to
spend, especially for large cover charges. Residents who normally
would frequent several shows in one evening may only be able to attend
one show depending on the cover charge rate. Residents are
less-likely to tip if they are charged the initial fee to get through
the door. Sim owners would need to "parcel-off" their club/venue in
order that the stream isn't broadcasting throughout the entire sim and
also so that the Cover Charge System scans only the club/venue parcel
area. The obvious issues of performers losing their fan base, not
making enough money if people don't choose to attend, and even the
pinch some residents may feel at losing the control over freely
tipping... is of serious concern.
Time will tell how this proposed system will or will not become an
active part of the SL music scene. One thing's certain... people are
sure to make their voices heard on the issue. But that's the great
thing about Second Life, we still have a choice, even with a cover
charge system.
by Mystique Sassoon
