Why do gigs have to be so stressful sometimes?

alapantera · #1 05-28-2010, 07:33 PM

My band had a gig booked for tomorrow night in Chicago for a few months now. Some friends of ours were going to play with us, and we found a third band to fill out the line-up. Fast forward to Tuesday, turns out our friend was supposed to be leaving for Canada for work next Monday, but that got pushed up to today. We found out about this on Tuesday evening.

So we start making some phone calls, sending emails, posting craigslist adds.... trying to find another band to play. We found one yesterday, they confirmed they were available and could do the gig... only to back out this morning. Now to make matters worse, it's a holiday weekend. Trying to find people that are available, not heading out of town, or that have other engagements makes it that much more difficult.

So we've got this gig tomorrow in Chicago. Anybody want to play with us in Chicago tomorrow night? just kidding... sort of...

/sigh

modulusman · #2 05-28-2010, 09:21 PM

Just play a longer set, problem solved. My band is playing a wedding tomorrow. The guitar player who sings over half the songs wife is pregnant and a week over due. If she goes into labor he can't play. We are taking another guitar player with us just in case but we may wind up playing a bunch of songs that we don't all know. Could be interesting and very stressful.

Joe.shaffer · #3 05-28-2010, 09:30 PM

IMO/IME Gigs are only stressful if you let them be. If you don't fill the slot, do what modulusman said and extend your set, split the time with the other band so you only have to fill an extra what, 30 minutes?

vladchrome · #4 05-28-2010, 10:01 PM

Hey my band is from the Kenosha area about an hour away from Chicago I'll talk to the guys tomorrow. We've only got about 40 minutes of music though. You can listen to a demo of us at myspace.com/kemeffect. This is pretty short notice but I'll see if they're up for it.

alapantera · #5 05-29-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.shaffer

IMO/IME Gigs are only stressful if you let them be. If you don't fill the slot, do what modulusman said and extend your set, split the time with the other band so you only have to fill an extra what, 30 minutes?

If only it were that easy... we don't have more material. We're an originals band, we've got 10 songs completed ATM (works out to an hour set). Fortunately the other band playing does have more material, so that helps a little bit.

I've stopped stressing over it. We've been in contact with the venue, they'd rather have some music than no music. So, if we happen to find another band at the last minute to jump aboard, that will just be a bonus.

I was just a little frustrated with the situation last night. Having found a replacement only to have them drop out last minute. My drummer was more stressed out over it than I was... and he kept calling me. lol

It'll still be fun tonight, I'll let you guys know how it goes.

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 05-29-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alapantera

If only it were that easy... we don't have more material. We're an originals band, we've got 10 songs completed ATM (works out to an hour set). Fortunately the other band playing does have more material, so that helps a little bit.

I've stopped stressing over it. We've been in contact with the venue, they'd rather have some music than no music. So, if we happen to find another band at the last minute to jump aboard, that will just be a bonus.

I was just a little frustrated with the situation last night. Having found a replacement only to have them drop out last minute. My drummer was more stressed out over it than I was... and he kept calling me. lol

It'll still be fun tonight, I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Little late now, but I would of had your band learn a few quick and easy cover songs to add an extra 20 minutes. You`d only really need 3 songs and just jam them out a little longer.

jp58 · #7 05-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Gigs usually never just "work" so always having a backup plan is the way to go. The "covers" band I was in always had a few extra songs up our sleeves in the event we needed to play an extra half hour. They weren't our favorite to play, or they needed more work, but usually its hard to tell that in a room with terrible acoustics.

In the original group I'm in now, we've been writing a ton of material, but we aren't close to being gig ready now, and we probably won't be ready till the end of summer. Still working on a few covers too, nothing like a good cover to make sure the crowd remembers you, or to help them really get into your set.

Moe Monsarrat · #8 05-31-2010, 10:02 PM

"Why are some gigs so stressful?" After 45 years on the stage I can tell you this: They Just Are. Deal with it (you ARE dealing with it). It won't be the last one either if you stay in this business. No matter who you are or how much money you make, some gigs will just be that way. It's like going out with a different girl every night. Some suck and some....don't.

caeman · #9 06-01-2010, 07:25 AM

Stop after each song. Say hi to the crowd. Thank them for making your day by showing up. Comment on the weather. Thank your sponsors. Take a drink of water.

The whole social aspect of show could easily add another 15 minutes if you do it right.

gttim · #10 06-01-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caeman

Stop after each song. Say hi to the crowd. Thank them for making your day by showing up. Comment on the weather. Thank your sponsors. Take a drink of water.

"I'd like to introduce the band. Alex meet Neal. Neal meet Alex. Hi Alex, I'm Geddy...."

caeman · #11 06-01-2010, 07:42 AM

Solo acts have a lot more work to do, of course.