Got a Gig at A Casino

Dave44 · #1 11-07-2011, 06:47 AM

Can anyone tell me how these work. I've never played at one before. The only band I have ever seen play in a casino was stuck in with the one armed bandits and seemed like they were more of a back drop than anything else. And on a Thursday night as well that's a first too. I've played week long gigs and weekend gigs never just a Thursday night. But I won't miss the opportunity to play live it's been to long since I've felt the boards of a stage under me feet.

dalkowski · #2 11-07-2011, 07:01 AM

There's at least one really good thread on the topic, and what I remember most from it is:

1. If you're playing where gaming is happening, you will be background music.
2. The house has final say over your levels.

But it's a gig I'd take -- enjoy!

Dave44 · #3 11-07-2011, 07:08 AM

I've never said no to a gig regardless, unless it Christmas Eve or my one of my babies was born. Other than that I've ventured on the road at -45 degrees in the middle of a Canadian winter, and have played outdoors (under a makeshift tent) under the pooring rain. Neither rain nor sleet nor the darkest of nights and all that rot.

Like you say a gig is a gig and I love playin' live. So I'll be there with my thunder stick directing all the women to the dance floor.

bassgod0dmw · #4 11-07-2011, 07:12 AM

The casinos around us pay major money, so if you can somehow swindle a deal to play once a month or something like that...go for it!

You're usually background music, but there are always people looking to have a good time and they will be listening.

Dave44 · #5 11-07-2011, 07:17 AM

This will be our first casino gig we have another one outside of town that has requested our band as well. Except this one will put us up for the Friday night and a free meal a day while were there. I'll believe it when I see it but like you say if they pay well and if we can get into thier rotation that's a good stop for us then.

jaywa · #6 11-07-2011, 07:24 AM

You might want to check out this thread...

House Soundman Outed by Digital Technology

I have had a couple of experieinces with casinos in my current band and they have been financially rewarding but that's about it. YMMV of course.

cirrusb2002 · #7 11-08-2011, 05:43 AM

Check out jaywa's thread, it's worth considering, but in the end, the casino has control over what you do. Did the casino circuit in western canada for a while, money is usually much better than most places, but they demand that you start & stop on time, there will usually be 1-2 people monitoring your levels, & you won't be able to pump the bottom end too much. Make sure you can work with them, we went to the effort & wound up with a ton of gigs. 3 years ago we wound up doing 2 sub weekends running up to christmas & new years, so our gear(my PA) stayed in location for well over 2 weeks & the wallet filled up nicely! It's all about keeping the management happy. Oh, yes, for these venues, no obvious drinking on stage(didn't bother me, I indulge after the gig) & absolutely no gambling until the gig is finished.
Recommendation, we've already committed to being what we are, now it's time to negotiate the price! LOL. Lie back & enjoy the ride, it's usually worth it if you've got a product they're wanting to purchase.

Dave44 · #8 11-08-2011, 07:13 AM

Just found out last night that the casino we're playing at has a top notch P.A. hopfully we'll have a sound man to match the gear and a huge stage that is not set out with the gamers. If we nail this gig we'll be asked back for sure, as per our singer. He's invited a few of the local big shot booking agents so it's turning into a very important gig. Am I nervouse, a little, I've never played with quality gear and cross me fingers or a quality sound man. Thankfully our singer has made a living out of manning the P.A. He's done live shows for Tom Jones, Alice Copper, Collective Soul to name a few. So if they can co-operate we'll have a killer sound and be sure to win the day. All I have to remember is to have fun, sing as clearly as I can and with my brand new rig getting it's first exposure to a live room, play my ass off. I'll write a review once we've done the deed.

jaywa · #9 11-08-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusb2002

Oh, yes, for these venues, no obvious drinking on stage(didn't bother me, I indulge after the gig)

My band kind of boned his one up, inadvertently, at our last casino gig. No one said anything about it while we were negotiating, so comes show time and a couple of us brought beers up on stage. It wasn't till the 2nd night of the gig about halfway through that I saw this sign (in an obscure place on the stage) saying "No Alcohol On Stage". Oops. Oh well, that particular venue had other issues going on as well so I highly doubt we'll be asked back and even if we are I'm not sure we'd take it.

jimc · #10 11-08-2011, 09:58 AM

I did my first casino gig a few weeks ago and it went well. We were in the casino but in a bar area that was curtained off from the main floor. We started off fairly low but over the course of the weekend the volume gradually crept up to pretty much normal gig level. We never got a single complaint and they told the agency that they were very pleased with the band.

Alternatively our keyboard player plays for another band that recently did a week long gig at the Nugget in Reno. He told me they were playing extremely quietly after repeated complaints. On the third day they were told if they didn't turn down to where management wanted, they would be escorted from the casino by security. I don't think they'll be back.

Forgive the pun but casino gigs can be a crapshoot!

Warfender · #11 11-08-2011, 10:07 AM

Find out all of their rules as some of these will apply as they are all different( I play at tons of them):

1) No tip jar
2) sound level limit
3) alcohol on stage
4) set length and break time (some are 45min/15 break others 1hour/20min break)
5) be punctual and timely on setup, start and breaks if you want to come back.

Some have minimal if any and some have tons. the ones with none or minimal kick ass. THis is opnly a sample of what can be in their rules.

jaywa · #12 11-08-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warfender

Find out all of their rules as some of these will apply as they are all different( I play at tons of them):

1) No tip jar
2) sound level limit
3) alcohol on stage
4) set length and break time (some are 45min/15 break others 1hour/20min break)
5) be punctual and timely on setup, start and breaks if you want to come back.

I'll go you one better on that... the first casino gig my band ever played we were told "no jeans on stage". Seriously.

Suffice to say, it was not a good fit and we won't be going back there.

lowfreq33 · #13 11-08-2011, 11:06 AM

Casino gig usually = great money, nice rooms, free food, and a really boring night. Exceptions would be places that have a "destination" nightclub on premise, as this part of the casino is more to attract casual or non gamblers.

jaywa · #14 11-08-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Casino gig usually = great money, nice rooms, free food, and a really boring night.

My experience exactly. Except that in my case, the food wasn't free ($10 per member per diem, the rest out of pocket), nor was it very good.

groove pump · #15 11-10-2011, 10:44 AM

One thing I'd look forward to is the potential for smokin' hot cocktail waitresses... I've been to Vegas once, so what can I say, right?

May your scenery be inspiring!!!

jaywa · #16 11-10-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groove pump

One thing I'd look forward to is the potential for smokin' hot cocktail waitresses...

Could be... but put a hand on one of those honeys and your contract may not be the only thing that gets broken.

Dave44 · #17 11-15-2011, 07:45 AM

Gig went well. The sound man was working with the best system this cat ever played with but I don't think he had a handle on what was what on the board. Took him almost an hour to set the stage mix needless to say we were not amused. But the show went on and I know we did just fine but management was a little miffed our sound check was to long. All I could do was point at the sound man what else could I do. Biggest stage I ever played on and it was ten feet off the floor above the bar....cool. Free drinks (non-alcholic) change room and private bathroom as well. Treated like kings we were. Hopfully management got over the fact the sound check did not go well but other than that I'd say we did a fine job and deserve to play there again. Time will tell.

jaywa · #18 11-15-2011, 08:48 AM

Thanks for the update, Dave. I'm glad you had a good time.

lsabina · #19 11-17-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Casino gig usually = great money, nice rooms, free food, and a really boring night. Exceptions would be places that have a "destination" nightclub on premise, as this part of the casino is more to attract casual or non gamblers.

A friend who plays at the local casino says that the band can't be too good, as that will have the customers move away from the gaming floor. So, play poorly, or play in a new direction--such as a free jazz excursion.