Crowd size down?

[lawsonman]

I was wondering what experience some of you were having lately as far as crowds? Our band is a pretty popular classic rock cover band.We've been around for 4 years and pretty well play a rotation of different bars and festivals.Our crowd size has really taken a hit over the last year or so between the no smoking laws and the economy. I was just curious how it was going for others in different parts of the country or world?

[Phalex]

I'm pretty much in the same band as you are, but we've been at it for going on six years now.

I've been a little concerned about this very thing (but I'm real quiet about it with people I know). We've had some personnel changes since last summer, and I don't know if that's caused a drop in our fan base, or if it's the record high unemployment (Michigans #1 in the country baby!) or what.

I'm curious to read more responses.

[Rathead123]

Crowds are way down in my neck of the woods. Got clubs and bars trying to lowball us into less money. We have not gave in to less pay, but some bands have taken a cut. We are doing a lot more promoting, handing out flyers, cds, tshirts and such, while at other bands shows to bring people in. The other bands dont mind as we work together, and help each other out.

[lawsonman]

It's really strange. A good sized turnout used to be the norm,now if we have a huge crowd I'm surprised. It makes for a long night sometimes.

[J.D.B.]

I have a good friend with a lot of years in the Bar business and he mentioned this being the first recession that even Bars are noticeably down. Not good.
On that note about smoking laws: I'd like to see it happen in Bars around here. I tend to avoid them unless I must go in directly because I don't want to smoke or stink of smoke.

Josh

[SBassman]

Crowd size is down in my region, but it's something that has been happening for 1 - 2 years, not something related to the current economy.

Besides crowd size, many of the bars have given up on full size bands. Lots of bars aren't booking anyone, and then some are booking but going for duos, etc.

[Craig_S]

Originally Posted by J.D.B.

I have a good friend with a lot of years in the Bar business and he mentioned this being the first recession that even Bars are noticeably down. Not good.
On that note about smoking laws: I'd like to see it happen in Bars around here. I tend to avoid them unless I must go in directly because I don't want to smoke or stink of smoke.

Josh

I'm from the same area you are. I see the bar business going into the toilet.

But, on the smoking issue, I think it's a bad idea to change the smoking law. I'm sick of the discrimination that smokers have to put up with, personally. I think it should be up to the club owner. If you don't like the smoke, go somewhere else.

Having said all that, I don't smoke. I quit 2 1/2 years ago. I can't take the overly smoky clubs either. I just don't stay long and, usually, I don't go back unless I'm going to see a friends band.