Last night's gig was a dud!

calshands · #1 02-13-2011, 12:55 PM

My drummer and i have been playing a somewhat regular gig -- every other Saturday -- doing a jazz-inspired drum/bass thing for the past few months. It has been getting more popular with greater attendance each time we play.

Last night was our first dud. Attendance was down -- likely a combo of tons of our regulars out of town as well as Valentines Day coming up. Whatever the case, the crowd was somewhat subdued and we were "off".

Everyone who commented said they loved the show and we got unsolicited tips but we both went home feeling a bit blah.

Oh, well. I can still say that a gig is much like sex: even when it's not all that good, it's still pretty good!

Thanks for listening, TB. Nobody else would really understand...

LiamPodmore · #2 02-13-2011, 12:59 PM

I've had that this year. 1st gig was okay, 2nd we took the place to capacity, 3rd was absolutely dire, and the 4th (This weekend) we had the place packed out then got a visit from the police and pretty much got kicked out.

Liam

bolophonic · #3 02-13-2011, 01:03 PM

As long as you rocked it, you can hold your head up high. I have seen and played many shows with audiences in the single digits.

calshands · #4 02-13-2011, 01:09 PM

Yeah, bolophonic, we discussed during load-out that at least our level of playing has risen to the point that even when WE feel that we did a mediocre job -- and that's being generous -- the crowd is still entertained.

Now NEXT time, we are going to make THEM sweat!

shadow_FIX · #5 02-14-2011, 07:10 AM

Dude sometimes it just isn't perfect. I have been playing a coffeeshop jazz gig for going on 4 years now. Most of them are good, but it's on a Sunday morning during brunch hour...chances are one or all of us are going to be hung over once in a while

And yeah, playing gigs really is like sex, nice analogy. Now if only there was a way to perform a "make-up gig" ....after a fight with the guitarist??

joshwilkesbooth · #6 02-14-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow_FIX

Now if only there was a way to perform a "make-up gig" ....after a fight with the guitarist??

It's called "touring"

shadow_FIX · #7 02-14-2011, 07:18 AM

Ah, right. Sometimes I forget how pissy people can get with each other cramped into a van for extended periods of time

Rick Auricchio · #8 02-14-2011, 09:53 AM

My twice-a-month Monday evening gig at a local hotel lounge varies from busy to dead. Sometimes the four of us outnumber/outweigh the audience. It's all good.

Oddly, the tips don't depend on the headcount at all. We've had several nights where a big crowd tipped very little, and a small bunch tipped more...

HeadyVan Halen · #9 02-14-2011, 10:01 AM

About 2 weeks ago we were in the same boat..after the 1st set we were looking at each other and were like "uh, yeah...did the Cavaliers finally win one..?"..I was messing around and gave them a 'Win one for the Gipper' talk just joking, but we came back on and killed....I don't know if that helps you, but we've been there.

plankspanker13 · #10 02-14-2011, 08:43 PM

There's nothing like playing the next gig after an off night, provided everyone brings the same chip on their shoulder. I can recall a weekend a year ago where the Friday was awful, but the Saturday just killed. Same band, but Friday was live karaoke, and we were still breaking in singerbabe. Saturday was just the guitar trio, and we had a certain venegance in our playing that night. Of course, a bar full of rowdy hockey fans (the Rangers were in town that night) helped us channel that fire properly.