Does this happen in every genre, or is it just metal?

[Kermin VH]

So, my band played a show at an all ages club about an hour and 20 minutes away this Saturday. There were supposed be 4 bands including us, and the show was supposed to start at 6.

We were the scheduled closers, but even so, we got there at 5:30. We were the only people there besides the owners and 4 kids there to see the show. A little after 6, the first band shows up, loads their gear into the venue (not onto the stage), and then proceeds to hang out til 7 before they start to set up their gear. They'd been added to the show the day of, along with another band, for a grand total of 6 bands now. And they started an hour and 15 minutes late. At an all ages show in a town with an 11 o'clock curfew for the kiddies.

We ended up saying we had to work early Sunday morning just so we could ensure we actually got to play, and played 4th.

So my question is this: Do bands/venues pull this crap in all genres, or is this just a metal-specific plague? This has happened to us a LOT, and I HATE it! Anyone else experienced this kind of crap?

[Johnius]

Well, I don't listen to metal, but I can tell you that the shows I go to see NEVER start at the advertised time. The local venues around Chicago (and maybe the players, too) are always at least an hour behind. Freekbass played locally not long ago but the show got bumped back over two hours because The Bulls were playing. I couldn't stay because it was a weeknight and I had to work in the morning. My money went out the window. I had actually thought about starting a thread on this issue after the show so I'm glad you did. I don't know about others, but I find it very annoying.

[shadow_FIX]

No, amateur bands work this way in general regardless of genre.

I typically don't like sharing the stage with more than 2 other groups unless I know it's going to be a setup on time, play 40 min, tear down in 10, backline moves up, next group plays and keeps the show moving kind of gig. Those shows with 6 bands or whatever always start late and go late, and by the time the best band goes on last, everyone's gone.

More than a few times we've let an opener jump onto our act with us, only to have them start at 10:30 for a 9:00 show.

"Oh, our singer isn't here yet."
"Our guitar player broke a string, he ran home for spares."
"My bass is broken, can I use yours?"
"Our keys player had another gig, he'll be here at 9:30 (10:30)"
(insert typical amp/pedalboard failure here)

You see where I'm going with this. We've all been there.

[MonkeyBass]

This is why we always request the first slot.

Well that and our fans are old farts that need to get to bed early.

[dbhokie]

Happens unfortunately often.

Especially when you get people who have the idea they can do their own little "festivals" and are not near prepared for it.

Usually with really long music events unless you have a good solid crew and organizer and a large crowd appeal, you end up with not many people there to start with, the first band will jerk off until they feel like there are enough people there to deserve their playing. The amateur people running the show don't feel like they need to cut the first couple "opening" bands short, then if you are the last band, you either get upset at it taking so long and leave because you are only going to end up with a 20 minute set, or you pester the people running it until they will finally grow some balls and tell the bands that started late they are getting cut early.

[tdub0199]

Happens all the time for any genre.....

[TolerancEJ]

Nothing to do with metal. I would say the event was just not organized well. Set a schedule for the 6 bands. Band 1 starts at 6:00 (including soundcheck), Band 2 at 7:00, etc. If a band shows up too late, they could miss their set. If their arrival is still during their timeslot, they can only play for the amount of minutes remaining. It's not fair for the rest of the bands to either cut their setlist or start in an earlier timeslot. Sometimes a band will show up late intentionally (and unprofessionally) to avoid being the first act.

On the other hand, it's not fair to the audience to let them sit in silence while they're supposed to be enjoying music.

[Kermin VH]

Glad to know it's not just me (Well, perhaps GLAD isn't the right word; I wish this wasn't an issue at all. I do take some solace in knowing it's not just meathead metalheads that pull this crap, though).

But yeah, why is it so hard for venues/bands to behave like professionals? I just don't understand that mindset. If you have to wait for more than an hour for the crowd to file in, you're doing something wrong, imho. Either the venue or the bands didn't promote the show properly. I just wish I knew some sort of solution for this problem, because as far as promotion goes, my band and I do as much as possible to promote our shows. We shouldn't be expected to be the only promotion service for the shows we're on. It's ridiculous for bands to wait around for the crowd that they didn't even draw/invite/whatever to show up because they were too lazy to spend a little time to promote THEIR OWN SHOW.

Anyway, end of rant.

[Corey Y]

My younger brother is into the metalcore genre, does vocals in a band and does some show promotion. Every single flier I see for a show from him has a minimum of 6 bands on it, and that seems on the very low end. A band I played in last year got invited to a show that was a lot of those bands (all locals, so different genres, but mostly that) and it was 11 bands. Apparently according to other people I know involved in all ages shows still whatever time you put on the flier means the first band will probably start an hour later.

Insanity...to me. IMHO, YMMY, etc. and so forth. I could understand having 8 bands on a show if it was some kind of all day festival, but apparently that's the standard for all ages type shows these days. I think 4 is kind of a packed bill, personally. My back hurts just thinking about standing on a concrete floor for 6+ bands. If they're all playing 10 minute sets, sharing gear and are indistinguishable from each other it might just be like going to a typical set length show.

[zachoff]

Everywhere. I get bummed when a show starts on time because I'm usually about 30-40 min late.

[TolerancEJ]

I've organized a show before. It was a bit stressful but a rewarding experience. Sure, I was young and it was metal... but regardless of age or genre, it's all business before, during and after the show. Gotta be on your toes.

Before: Renting a hall, Renting/Hiring the sound system and/or soundpersons, Advertising/Fliers, buying food/refreshments so you can sell them (if the facility permits), contacting bands for availability. Something I learned later, if a band is available, also ask them the length of their set list.

During: Be ready for the unknown; you're going to need to make some quick decisions to keep the show from snagging. I made a point to go early and help to set up. Yes, I agree that some bands may show up late. I got lucky when I organized and everyone showed up on time.

The reason I mentioned ask for the set list time, I did book 4 bands for that evening (7:00-12:00). I knew my band had a 1-hour setlist and I made an incorrect assumption the rest of the bands had the same setlist time. Turned out the first band only had a 30-minute set. It worked out later during the second timeslot because another band happened to be visiting from out of town & asked me if there was any time available for them to play for even a short while. They were not interested in being paid. I gave them the extra 30 minutes of the other band.

Also just before going onstage as the final band, I was informed that someone punched a huge hole in the wall. I knew I was going to lose my damage deposit. I told the guys & I think that accelerated us into playing faster, louder & heavier than I could remember prior. We got an awesome reception from the crowd, including kudos from the band visiting from out of town.

After: Account for expenses and for the lost damage deposit. For my show, I split the remaining door money up between the bands as we were working for the entrance money. I've always stuck around afterward to help the bands and sound company to tear down their gear.

[gustobassman]

We had the same problem in april, the actual lineup wasn't even solidified until a few days before the show and our name never made it on the tickets. In fact 2 of the bands who WERE listed on the tickets didn't even play the show (there was about 7 bands scheduled from 5:00pm-12:30am).The backline consisted of 2 tiny 1x12" fender combos for the guitars, a really small drumkit, and possibly the worst bass rig known to man.

The promoter failed to tell the bands there was a backline so there was 7 bands worth of crap in the green room and backstage. Our drummer said no way to the backline kit, so we used our own stuff and only added about 10 extra minutes to setup (there were DJ's so it was no big deal).

Unfortunately we went on an hour late due to a couple of unwanted MC's who took a lot more time than they were supposed to take. the band after us (whose name was on the tickets as a headliner) didn't get to play. the lights were coming on and the bar closing as we finished our last song around 1:30am. The last band had actually been there since 4:30pm for soundcheck and they got hosed.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by gustobassman

...The promoter failed to tell the bands there was a backline so there was 7 bands worth of crap in the green room and backstage. Our drummer said no way to the backline kit, so we used our own stuff and only added about 10 extra minutes to setup (there were DJ's so it was no big deal)...

In the shows organized prior to mine, theyhad a backline drumset that all the bands would use, and I think a bass amp as well. A bit before my organized show, things changed because my drummer just got a brand new drumset & he didn't want it to be used as backline and smashed to hell by the other bands before he had a chance to perform with it. So, then the original backline drumset was setup just in front of it for the preceding bands and taken down just before our set.

[kcole4001]

I've only ever been to one multi-band function that ran on time.

[eyeballkid]

It will happen in alot of genres and CONTINUE to happen to you until you start playing with bands that behave as professionals. Other bands love playing with us because we are on time or early, set up in under 10 minutes, play the amount of time allowed and have our stuff off in FIVE! The bands we play with, behave the same. It makes it good for everyone... also as a rule, shows with more than 3 bands get to be more and more a pain in proportion to the number of additional bands UNLESS it is a WELL ORGANIZED and WELL RUN event with Top Notch Minded Musicians.


Oh.. and we play Stoner rock... and still manage to behave like pros.

[R. Laevinus]

It's every genre, and every level, not just amateurs.

In general, always assume that the show will start 1 hour after the listed start time. Add thirty minutes of delay for each act. Also be sure to add 15 minutes to each setup/teardown period. Also always assume that you will not have a soundcheck, even if one is booked for you.

HOWEVER: Always be at the venue as early as possible, regardless.

[BogeyBass]

few things about shows

1. they never start on time
2. everybody shows up after you play
3. if they say 4 bands, that means 6
4. if they say 6 bands, that means 3
5. if they say "headline" on a weekday that means "closing"
6. nobody cares about your band
7. since nobody cares, punish everyone, every way possible.
8. if all else fails, continue to punish
9. punish more
10.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

...We are on time or early, set up in under 10 minutes, play the amount of time allowed and have our stuff off in FIVE! The bands we play with, behave the same. It makes it good for everyone... also as a rule, shows with more than 3 bands get to be more and more a pain in proportion to the number of additional bands UNLESS it is a WELL ORGANIZED and WELL RUN event with Top Notch Minded Musicians.

+1 When everyone works toward making the night run smoothly, that makes the entire gig worthwhile.

The band I played in always set up quickly. I've rarely used effects, so my setup is pretty quick/basic. A short cable between head and cabinet, find an electrical outlet and plug in, place the stand in a safe location, plug in the bass & place it on the stand. After getting my stuff ready, I would help the drummer finish setting up his gear.

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by BogeyBass

few things about shows

1. they never start on time
2. everybody shows up after you play
3. if they say 4 bands, that means 6
4. if they say 6 bands, that means 3
5. if they say "headline" on a weekday that means "closing"
6. nobody cares about your band
7. since nobody cares, punish everyone, every way possible.
8. if all else fails, continue to punish
9. punish more
10.

+1 LOL! Regardless of this thread being in the Bass Humor section, your list unfortunately, is quite accurate.

[Billnc]

I've stage managed. Seriously, 30 bands in a day on one stage. They had to stick to their slots and the rules of the game, period. It's not that hard to do.