The problem with reggae shows....

gustobassman · #1 04-11-2011, 11:49 AM

So we played a reggae showcase saturday night at a large popular venue and all i can say is.. wow. Why does it seem that reggae events seem to have no sense of time or structure? There was no schedule for the bands, no promoter in sight, and it was kind of a free-for-all. Random "MC's" kept getting up during other band's sets and freestyling. even when they weren't invited... kinda lame if you ask me. Anybody else have issues with this kind of stuff? .... oh yeah, worst part.. the club tried to charge $5.00 for a small bottle of water, and $2 for a cup!!!! Charging performers for water?? Really?

**pacojas** · #2 04-11-2011, 12:04 PM

throw your own shows. it's time consuming, but not that hard. Reggae shows in nor-cal are usually VERY organized! most of the promoters are veterans.

i do remember times though when the headliners would be hella late, but those days are done. all the surviving promoters throw really good shows!

but $5. for water just means trouble$ if you ask me. the Cana-business must be slow all over the state!

gustobassman · #3 04-11-2011, 12:26 PM

I feel ya about Norcal shows.. I played the So Hum Music & Arts festival in Benbow a few years ago and it was great. This thing was terrible. the lineups weren't confirmed until the last week, and for 4 weeks leading up to the show there were different lineups advertised. Last band didn't even get to play. Usually we do our own stuff, but this was a large venue with great sound so we looked at it as a great way to get a good board recording and HD footage (helps when your girlfriend is a pro videographer

)..

**pacojas** · #4 04-11-2011, 01:05 PM

yeah, back in the early 80's shows were really bad and people stopped going, so we were forced to rent halls and throw our own shows. our band would back almost every act. then the bigger shows evolved from "Harvest Parties" into things like Reggae on the River, the Monterey Reggae Fest, etc.

the local clubs that feature reggae are very strict on bands and fans. my son plays in a band that does 3-4shows per week but the scene isn't as large as it was. there may be a resurgence of local acts coming back out this year, though. gl.

Meddle · #5 04-11-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustobassman

...There was no schedule for the bands, no promoter in sight, and it was kind of a free-for-all. Random "MC's" kept getting up during other band's sets and freestyling. even when they weren't invited...

Sounds like some individuals might have been participating in the mari-dew-annas.

mongo2 · #6 04-11-2011, 04:32 PM

It was probably run by Maryjane.

WardEarth · #7 04-11-2011, 04:42 PM

Where was the show at and what promoter? Sounds like someone I should avoid. I'm in zandy eggo.

Saintlouie · #8 04-11-2011, 04:48 PM

I play out in so-cal and yeah our biggest problem as getting a decent sound guy, we also get charged for water, unless we played at a venue more than once, they might recognize us and hook it up! but looks like its the same story everywhere. Set-up your own shows man... If your organized,, the night will almost run its self.

totallyfrozen · #9 04-11-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustobassman

...Why does it seem that reggae events seem to have no sense of time or structure?

"I was gonna get organized...but then I got high."

It's reggae; what did you expect?

gustobassman · #10 04-11-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

It's reggae; what did you expect?

to be honest a lot more. I don't know if you are familiar with San Diego, this particular club (4th & B) hosts many national acts, and there was a hip-hop show from Adult Swim (yes, cartoon network) in the parking lot. I assumed there would be some order, but it seemed like the promoter took over the place for the night and that was it. Having played this place a bunch i thought i knew what to expect!

tangentmusic · #11 04-11-2011, 05:31 PM

Too much ganja, not enough organizing

mboogiemanusa · #12 04-12-2011, 08:19 PM

There is a reason you get charged for water at venues that feature reggae. The normal reggae fans just do not purchase the same amount of booze per person as other music fans. Many bars in my area will only occasionally book reggae because they sell more waters to potheads then beer. Also many places don't like the drug element smoking reef out in the parking lot before a show because they have a liquor license to worry about. Nothing wrong with reggae or pot smokers per se ...just saying its hard to run a business giving out free water to pot smokers when they could be selling booze to rock and blues fans.

Lesfunk · #13 04-12-2011, 08:30 PM

Everybody's baked. $5.00 water and $10.00 cheetos look like a bargain to some...

gustobassman · #14 04-12-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboogiemanusa

There is a reason you get charged for water at venues that feature reggae. The normal reggae fans just do not purchase the same amount of booze per person as other music fans. .

i'm aware of that.. i've been playing rock-reggae for the last 10 years. where i was shocked was that the venue had the balls to charge performers for water. we all know bars won't let you bring in water or any beverage from outside (at least in california you can't), so am i supposed to sweat myself silly and suffer from dehydration? not that i'm like a broken fire hydrant, but we play high energy stuff and water is important (to me at least).

mboogiemanusa · #15 04-13-2011, 08:51 PM

I've never had a California club owner have an issue with us bringing in our own water. We bring in water bottles with our gear and no one has ever said peep about it. I drink a bottle per set and a beer or two on the house between sets. We cater to a drinking crowd so the bartenders too busy keeping up with stuffing the cash registers to worry about what the band is doing. Try bringing in your own water bottles. I doubt its going to be an issue if your discreet and only drink on stage and aren't handing out water bottles to the crowd or walking around with them. Technically your a temporary employee - independent contractor for the night so water is just part of your stage set up. I can't see a bar owner telling a waitress that they can't sip on a water bottle during their shift.

gustobassman · #16 04-14-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mboogiemanusa

We cater to a drinking crowd so the bartenders too busy keeping up with stuffing the cash registers to worry about what the band is doing.

this isn't a peeing contest... we sell out shows too..

... San Diego is a different animal. I've been playing live here in town and around california for 18 years now and i have never once been to a bar where they let you bring water in... There has been a long battle here (in S.D) against alcohol because of the amount of bars. things tend to be strict. one mess up and Boom... there goes your liquor license.. Good for you to be able to though. I've personally never been able to do that. maybe it's the whole sneaking stuff in.. i just don't do it..

totallyfrozen · #17 04-14-2011, 12:18 PM

Charging performers for WATER under ANY conditions, IMO, is inappropriate. That's just my opinion but if you're part of the show, water (of all things!) should be comp'd. IMO, it should be considered overhead just like the electricty.

lunarpollen · #18 04-14-2011, 12:29 PM

Charging performers for water is %@#$&$ ridiculous. Hell, give me tap water, I don't give a %$#!!! I'm just thirsty from lugging and setting up gear, and performing under hot stage lights. Venues should consider the provision of water to staff and performers part of the cost of doing business. It only costs, what, 2 cents to fill a plastic cup with some water and give it to a thirsty bass player. Charge the patrons for chilled bottled water if you must, but don't make the band pay for drinking water!!! That's just terrible manners!

bills2north · #19 04-14-2011, 03:00 PM

Whoa..
Probably should cover this BEFORE you´re up.. and everyone´s high and bartender´s DOWN.

MatticusMania · #20 04-14-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gustobassman

this isn't a peeing contest... we sell out shows too..

... San Diego is a different animal. I've been playing live here in town and around california for 18 years now and i have never once been to a bar where they let you bring water in... There has been a long battle here (in S.D) against alcohol because of the amount of bars. things tend to be strict. one mess up and Boom... there goes your liquor license.. Good for you to be able to though. I've personally never been able to do that. maybe it's the whole sneaking stuff in.. i just don't do it..

I live up in LA, and have played in SD a few times. Never had a problem bringing my own water, or getting it free from the bar.