Middle School Dance...Frightening!

Already In Use · #1 02-19-2010, 09:52 PM

This isnt a gear issue or question thread about gear. Its about a DJ gig we lived thru tonight.

A middle school dance. Our local middle school had its DJ ditch them a few days before their BIG dance...so they called us. I did some re arranging so I could help them out as we had another gig at the same time. Covered both and I got the school dance. We previewed the location so we would know what we're in for. Spent 2 days getting appropriate music.

We show up at the gig with a van load of PA gear expecting to unload a few feet short feet from our set up point per the preview. That went out the window. Had to lug our schitt thru a short dirt lot to get to a narrow hallway then into the gym all because a janitor there wouldnt open a gate for us. NO biggie. Setup location changed. They put big mats where we were told to set up. One pain after another.

No one can ever prepare for a few hundred wound up, screaming 10 to 13 year olds. I feel like I was in a war zone for 2.5 hours. Kids trying to climb speaker stands. Jumping in between our mains...trying to grab at our computers...climbing on top of my subs...all while eating these giant pixie sticks full of sugar and drinking canned soda screaming at the top of their lungs and beyond.

I brought 3000 watts of power...4 mains and 2 subs and had trouble playing loud enough to overcome the sugar frenzied mob of 300 hundred screaming, running, jumping young students.

They had fun and went Beatles getting off the plane nuts for a few songs!

If you ever play for this age group bring big azz ear plugs and charge extra for baby sitting. Take a few Valiums, a few shots..and maybe smoke some weed ahead of time.

I did this for 100 bucks which I gave my daughter for her help. The school loved the bargain. My ears will be ringing for a week and we were behind all the speakers!

This was an experience like no other!

Enjoy..I had to share..this is my DR Phil for the night!

Oric · #2 02-19-2010, 11:11 PM

Let me tell you, I've played in Carnegie Hall, and that sounds more terrifying. I've played in front of that age group, and the reaction was pretty much mild disinterest. Of course, original proggy tunes may not be the best way to go...

MIJ-VI · #3 02-20-2010, 04:54 AM

Good on you for stepping up for the kids Already In Use!

Already In Use · #4 02-20-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oric

Let me tell you, I've played in Carnegie Hall, and that sounds more terrifying. I've played in front of that age group, and the reaction was pretty much mild disinterest. Of course, original proggy tunes may not be the best way to go...

The reality was we could have played the Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide over and over gain and they would have been happy!

MIJ-VI...Thanks! Ears still ringing and I am heading out for another gig.

Nedmundo · #5 02-21-2010, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the heads-up! My fifth grade daughter has her first middle school dance coming up, and I might be one of the chaperones. Yikes. I heard the screaming at parties at her previous school, but I'm sure the volume with a larger number of older kids will be overwhelming. I'm bringing the ear plugs!

Already In Use · #6 02-21-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

Thanks for the heads-up! My fifth grade daughter has her first middle school dance coming up, and I might be one of the chaperones. Yikes. I heard the screaming at parties at her previous school, but I'm sure the volume with a larger number of older kids will be overwhelming. I'm bringing the ear plugs!

You will not regret that decision! My ears are still slightly ringing.

Stinsok · #7 02-21-2010, 12:43 PM

Did a sound gig for a middle school dance once. There was a group of boys standing right in front of one of the speaker stacks. One of them came over and asked "can you turn it down? We are trying to have a conversation."

iamlowsound · #8 02-21-2010, 06:54 PM

You did that for $100!? I only DJ because it is good money, and that isn't good money for DJing. I do it with a buddy and we both walk away from the night with $250 in pocket.

lowsound

Already In Use · #9 02-22-2010, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

You did that for $100!? I only DJ because it is good money, and that isn't good money for DJing. I do it with a buddy and we both walk away from the night with $250 in pocket.

lowsound

100 bucks it was. For certain events we try and help out the community. This was one of them and the first one of its kind. Next time we will charge a bit more but still be below market value.