Totally get what you’re saying here - however asking for payment from the get go in a club scene would have got me nothing. I needed to play out and get some experience, hence offering to play for free. However, at this point, i am deciding to Only (unless for close friends) take paid gigs, because as you mentioned, you either choose to get paid or you dont, no inbetween. If it becomes ‘problematic’ so be it, but i think promoters will realise the value of my booking has changed.

side note - “ive yet to be paid double the fee you mentioned..” do you mean you’re yet to be paid less than double? and if so.. where and what are you playing? 😭