Opening Band etiquette?

SevenJacks · #1 07-04-2011, 09:53 AM

We are opening for a popular local band on a 'booze cruise' in about 2 weeks.
2 out of the 3 of us know them personally.

Any suggestions on what you do and don't do when you are opening for someone else? Thanks

Floyd Eye · #2 07-04-2011, 09:55 AM

In between songs throw some plugs for the headliners. Say something like, "Are you guys ready for ( insert band name here) ? etc.

Don't be difficult to accommodate with regards to the sound system or schedule. Take the stage on time and clear your gear off promptly.

slaps76 · #3 07-04-2011, 10:02 AM

Work out ahead of time any request of shared amps, ect...my band recently played a gig at a college outdoor festival, and there was a band playing right after us. The bassist shows up without anything but his bass, asking if he can use my rig...um bro, I'm leaving after we're done, I'm not sticking around. Dumbass had to hop in his car and drive home to get his stuff...assuming he could use my rig was ignorant, especially considering I had no clue who he or his band was.

If you DO use the other bassist's rig, ask before adjusting his EQ or settings, or just leave it be.

Other than that, nothing much beyond common courtesy! Floyd already made a good point of getting your gear off stage quickly after so they can get going. Have fun! I'm playing a booze cruise myself in a few weeks, can't wait.

fjadams · #4 07-04-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenJacks

We are opening for a popular local band on a 'booze cruise' in about 2 weeks.
2 out of the 3 of us know them personally.

Any suggestions on what you do and don't do when you are opening for someone else? Thanks

If you are the first band playing, have your stuff set up ready to play when you're supposed to.

Thank the audience, venue, any following acts, headliners.

A 45 minute set does not mean 47, 49, 52. Finishing a minute or two early is better than a minute or two late.

Get your gear off the stage, and pack up on the side. The other band(s), promoter, venue, etc, will notice. Promptness is a way to get more gigs.

Stinsok · #5 07-04-2011, 11:02 AM

Bring your own gear and don't assume it's ok to use theirs.

**DougD** · #6 07-04-2011, 11:16 AM

Don't hold them up. After you finish playing, get your gear off stage as fast as humanly possible. Be courteous, and treat the other band the same way you want to be treated. That will go a LONG way in keeping the peace. Also help hype up the other band, Remember that you are not in completion, but sharing a billing. Work out ahead of time if you will be sharing equipment, and if so, work out what happens should the equipment be damaged.

mboogiemanusa · #7 07-04-2011, 12:59 PM

Bring your own gear.
Get on and off the stage on time.
Thank the Headliner and Venue for giving your band the "honor" of opening the show
Don't be a diva and make sure your band peeps and fans behave themselves

Most importantly....stick around and "watch the headliner".....hang out as a band, chill and enjoy the show. Nothing worse than giving some band the "honor" of opening the show then watching them immediately leave the premises after their set or hang out in the parking lot with their peeps while the headliners play their show.

Danni Moe · #8 07-04-2011, 03:06 PM

Ask permission to do covers. Two at most and make sure that you don't play anything that's in their set. Play the cover last to get the crowd ready to here the headliners. Thank the headliners before and after the cover. After that its about respect.

prd004 · #9 07-04-2011, 03:22 PM

Get your gear off stage quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get the drums out of the way, and worry about breaking them down afterwards.

walterw · #10 07-04-2011, 07:34 PM

that's still not enough exclamation points!

when you're done, yank your crap off stage now, then wrap cables and whatnot once you're out of their way.

TolerancEJ · #11 07-05-2011, 11:14 AM

All excellent points...

Timeliness in setting up, set-time, and tearing down (on the side) is essential.
Never assume equipment will be available to borrow.
Thank and try to build the crowd's excitement to see the headliner.
Thank the venue.
Introduce and compliment the next act if there's another band between yours and the headliner.

zachoff · #12 07-06-2011, 10:27 AM

Set up quickly, play, take down quickly... Don't hold back. If you blow them away, so be it. Next time you'll headline.

TolerancEJ · #13 07-06-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danni Moe

Ask permission to do covers. Two at most and make sure that you don't play anything that's in their set. Play the cover last to get the crowd ready to here the headliners. Thank the headliners before and after the cover. After that its about respect.

+1 It sucks when you've planned to play a coversong and an earlier band already chose to play it. Audience members don't want to hear the same song again.

bosozoku · #14 07-06-2011, 10:45 AM

Don't do what we did...we were playing with the Silversun Pickups (2001 or 2002) and thought we were going to stick around for the whole show so we left some gear on stage, mid-way through the set we were wasted and decided to pack it up, it didn't go over so well. Now they're doing well and that band I was in is non-existent. Karma.

jaywa · #15 07-06-2011, 11:15 AM

+1 to the many posts about clearing your gear off promptly.

A couple of weekends ago, we're scheduled to headline a street dance. We get there in plenty of time only to find a really bad band already on the stage with their P.A. set up. "Oh these are just some local kids, they'll be done in plenty of time" we're told. So we sit around till they're done, and they ever so slowly start tearing down. The drummer was the worst... left the stage, was gone probably 20 minutes doing whatever, comes back, takes ONE CYMBAL STAND off the stage, disappears again. Comes back a little later, takes his throne off the stage -- and nothing else. Meanwhile we have 10 cabinets of P.A., trussed lighting, and our entire backline with a drum riser all needing to be set up. We ask the drummer nicely, "could you please clear off your kit so we can set up?" "Yeah sure, no problem." He disappears again. It was like he totally had no clue his drumkit was holding up our entire setup. Finally with the drummer nowhere in sight I looked at our drummer and we said "f**k it" and we walked on to the stage in full view of everyone, picked up the rest of his POS kit, took it to the side of the stage and set it down, none too gently. I think he and the rest of the band got the point cause they picked up the pace considerably after that.

Raymeous · #16 07-06-2011, 03:20 PM

I wont repeat what the others have posted already, but one thing you may want to consider is how the "venue" is planning on handling the gear. Will the headliner have their stuff on stage already, leaving you 2 square feet of stage or will it be a full load out, with their gear being brought on stage after you are finished? It makes a difference. There may be room for "Thunder God's" 500 piece drum set, there may not be.

Here are a few general gig things modified for life at sea:

1) Have back ups on hand (amps, DI's, back up bass, strings, straps, picks, second snare, extension cords and power strips, etc...) You can't run home real quick and grab that vital item, when you're several miles out to sea.

2) Find a way to label/color code you cables. I've "lost" many cables to the other bands, although maybe not an intentional act, it does happen. Again having a few extras is very important.

3) Dramamine (anti sea sickness meds) and saltine crackers (trust me on this one). If you start feeling queasy, just go to the restroom, let it out and be done with it. If you fight it, you'll just be miserable.

4) Get things in writing. How much are you being paid? Does you band have insurance for your equipment? Does it cover falling overboard? Oh and keep in mind boats do NOT have truly grounded power being a metal can floating in water. Power spikes and brown outs happen a lot more often on a boat than they do at your home.

5) Where is your stuff being stored when its not on stage. Remember a boat is in constant motion, even when the seas are calm, and wheeled amp cabinets will roll around a lot. Cymbal stands will fall over.

..and finally the most important thing!

6) Be as professional as possible. Being on time is only one part of it. How you carry yourself and behave makes all of the difference. Have fun, but don't get stupid and obnoxious. Having a drink before the show is ok, but getting FUBAR before hitting the stage is a serious "No no".

I hope this helps

B-NoteCowboy · #17 07-07-2011, 08:08 AM

It's been mentioned but bears mentioning again - get an advance copy of their set list and strike anything from yours that's already on theirs, or at least clear it with them if the arrangements are different enough so as to be virtually different songs. I've seen bands go into WWIII mode over this.

If it's an original name-brand band, do not do any of their songs even if they aren't on the set list that night (this applies to tribute bands too). We recently opened for REO Speedwagon and cut a few REO covers from our list because it's simply not done.

Get your people to the show and make a great impression on everyone involved - this is a networking opportunity.

Get out of the way when you are done and stick around to be supportive of the headliner. If they aren't d*cks, you should get some good shout-outs for doing your job like pros.

walterw · #18 07-07-2011, 07:56 PM

oh, and after you're done, don't forget to drink all the beer and eat all the food backstage while they're playing; they love that.

southgabass · #19 07-08-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danni Moe

Ask permission to do covers. Two at most and make sure that you don't play anything that's in their set. Play the cover last to get the crowd ready to here the headliners. Thank the headliners before and after the cover. After that its about respect.

It was never stated if the band was an original band or cover band... if its a cover band just do what I do in my cover band in that situation and as stated.... make sure you aren't playing a cover they are playing.... we opened up for 40 oz to Freedom (national Sublime tribute) and had to knock out our Sublime songs (even though we rock em).... that was just a weird show... we were the only band that fit the vibe of the headliner by far.

Have fun!... for any future foray into this if you feel like there is no fun to be had, don't do it IMO (unless the $$ is killer and as an opener in THIS situation I'm not guessing it will be)

duff beer · #20 07-08-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danni Moe

Ask permission to do covers. Two at most and make sure that you don't play anything that's in their set. Play the cover last to get the crowd ready to here the headliners. Thank the headliners before and after the cover. After that its about respect.

I don't know why you would ask permission of the headline band to play covers??

Play your set as you would normally play it, but of course take care not to play anything on their set list. If there are certain songs the headline act does not want you to play, then it is their responsibility to let you know in advance.