Musicians should not rely on promoters alone for better fees, says PETZI

Anyone who plays clubs and festivals should not get better fees from promoters alone, says PETZI.¹ Public and private arts funding must step in, the federation of music clubs wrote on 30 October 2026.¹ For implementation, PETZI calls for realistic transition periods and concrete funding steps.¹

PETZI is responding to a clarification by Sonart dated 16 October 2026.¹ In it, Sonart states that its rates are not binding minimum fees.¹ With unchanged budgets, fewer musicians could be booked, Sonart warns.¹

PETZI published what clubs pay back in April 2025: a survey of 27 members covering 951 gigs.² Expenses are often already included in the fee.²

• Median 2024: 250 francs per person per gig.²
• Estimated effective median: under 200 francs per person.²
• City of Bern minimum fee, as of April 2025: 500 francs net per person per gig.²

Only slightly more than the best-paid 10 per cent reached those 500 francs.²

The number to remember: a median fee of 250 francs per person per gig in 2024.²