• having a benefit gig and giving the profits to a needy group creates a sense of community. Everyone is co-operating and it results in positive outcomes.

• It takes the money aspect away from playing music. I hate money when it comes to music. Profit and music shouldn't be mixed. At a benefit gig, the band are playing for themselves and for the audience, and the group who receives the money. They are not playing for monetary gain. People who come to the show know that their money is going directly to a good cause (unless you're playing a benefit gig for McDollars) and they get to rock out to some good music at the same time. And the group who gets the money is happy too!

• running a group or doing a zine or whatever results in losing a HEAP of money, you donate so much of your time into trying to achieve your goal (whatever that might be) and financial help is always gratefully accepted. Benefit gigs do not result in someone actually personally making a profit.

• at regular gigs band members don't actually make that much each anyway after the money has been split. It's not like you're playing to make a living!

• benefit gigs work best when all the bands come from the same town. Then you don't have to worry about travel expenses.

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