Anybody played Sturgis?

jimc · #1 01-25-2011, 09:46 AM

My band played an Easyrider show recently and they have asked us to bid on playing Sturgis. I'm interested in hearing any experiences of playing there, both good and bad.

jwbassman · #2 01-25-2011, 09:49 AM

Never played there, but played up at Laconia NH for Bike Week plenty of times. Pretty much every year, multiple gigs and it's always a blast. I would imagine that Sturgis is similar.

zachoff · #3 01-25-2011, 10:19 AM

Bid on? What does that entail?

**Staccato** · #4 01-25-2011, 10:36 AM

Bid...interesting!

Would have thought they would have a fixed dollar amount to throw at each band-based on the Sturgis 2011 budget,
and invited bands to play-based on reputation, or audition CD's, etc.

I've got a lot to learn.

Richland123 · #5 01-25-2011, 10:38 AM

My band always plays Thunder In The Valley, which is a huge motorcycle festival with multiple stages, locations, and venues covering a large geographic area. The pay is not all that good and the organizers seem to make things inconvenient for the bands. However, for my band, it is 15 minutes away with sound provided (use our own backline and drums) and everybody regionally knows my band so we get big crowds. Since we live locally, we don't require any travel, food, or lodging expenses either. It it always a fun time but Thunder In The Valley is very under control to make sure people have a good time and no trouble.

MNAirHead · #6 01-25-2011, 02:08 PM

I have.. logistics and lodging are a pain.

IT's a lot of fun.. cool folks....

I haven't played in the last few years due to scheduling.

There's no fast/easy way to get in/out of sturgis.

crijan · #7 01-25-2011, 02:20 PM

Played Sturgis last year. Long, long, long drive to get there and back. It was fun, but the pay was not competitive. Make sure the place you play is reputable, heard bad things about bands getting stiffed up there.

90k · #8 01-25-2011, 02:26 PM

In 1998 I played a circuit that included a few months at the salon # 10 in Deadwood. We also played Sturgis for the
Broken spoke and the Side Hack.. Lots of fun, great tour! No issues at all..

jaywa · #9 01-25-2011, 02:30 PM

I have not played there, but I live in the state and attended once.

There are good places and bad places to play... ask around and do Internet research. I would not advise camping as it usually is hotter than hell (90 to 100) and often storms at night (a friend of a friend had his camping trailer totaled in a hailstorm a year or two ago out there).

Did I say it gets hot? Keep that in mind if you get put on an outdoor stage during the day. Very dusty. PITA to get in and out of town as another poster already said... Law enforcement EVERYWHERE so watch the driving, alcohol, etc. You will want to keep your head on a swivel but it is not nearly as dangerous of an environment as it could be given the number of people in a small space. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Maybe I'm not making it sound like a very good time. I'm not intending to, just saying there can be challenges you need to anticipate. It's a one of a kind experience so if you really want to play there go for it... but don't underbid yourself because whatever you wind up making will definitely be well earned. Keep your gear locked up and out of sight as much as humanly possible. Also keep in mind that hotels, restaurants and gas stations throughout the entire region jack their prices to the moon for this event so I would pad your bid by at least 20% over what you would for a normal gig at this distance.

Steve · #10 01-25-2011, 04:25 PM

Been there, done that, ain't never going back. For-get-it.

YMMV

QORC · #11 01-26-2011, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimc

My band played an Easyrider show recently and they have asked us to bid on playing Sturgis. I'm interested in hearing any experiences of playing there, both good and bad.

we do every major biker event in the southeast, including massive ones in Daytona, Myrtle Beach. Been doing them for about 4 years now.

what's your question? Maybe I can help.

MNAirHead · #12 01-26-2011, 07:19 PM

When we've done things like this... we've always contracted with a farmer to store our van/trailer in a barn.. we then camp out right near it.

Way too many people for my comfort of leaving gear unattended.

Inside the trailer, we commonly cable the bulky stuff together to add to the pain of messing with it

---

Did I comment it was a logistical nightmirror.

I want to play Daytona week sometime...

jimc · #13 01-26-2011, 07:56 PM

Thanks for the responses.

Steve, what turned you off of it? If you wouldn't do it again, why not?

I'm presuming we're being booked by the Easyrider show so it's not like we're playing a specific venue though I do need to get a lot more info before we seriously consider doing this.

We've been told that accommodation is provided so that's not a problem, not sure if there's a per diem as that could get pretty costly. Trying to balance the opportunity for merch sales, exposure and the fact it would look pretty good on the gig resume compared to the hassle of getting there and playing there.

We're all guys in our 50s with day gigs so it probably won't happen but it was nice to be considered. Plus my wife would want to go so the expense rachets up considerably!

I guess my questions are...

Merch sales big deal or not?
Receptive crowds? (we've played some Harley dealership gigs and the punters are more interested in looking cool and looking at bikes than paying that much attention to the band.
Did it lead to other gigging opportunities?

We're already booked for the local Easyrider show next year so they seem genuine in their desire to have us do it.

MNAirHead · #14 01-26-2011, 08:17 PM

Response really depends on where you're put... and what exactly you're doing.

=====

Merch.. this really depends on what you have.

I'd do it again (once)..

Tim

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimc

Thanks for the responses.

Steve, what turned you off of it? If you wouldn't do it again, why not?

I'm presuming we're being booked by the Easyrider show so it's not like we're playing a specific venue though I do need to get a lot more info before we seriously consider doing this.

We've been told that accommodation is provided so that's not a problem, not sure if there's a per diem as that could get pretty costly. Trying to balance the opportunity for merch sales, exposure and the fact it would look pretty good on the gig resume compared to the hassle of getting there and playing there.

We're all guys in our 50s with day gigs so it probably won't happen but it was nice to be considered. Plus my wife would want to go so the expense rachets up considerably!

I guess my questions are...

Merch sales big deal or not?
Receptive crowds? (we've played some Harley dealership gigs and the punters are more interested in looking cool and looking at bikes than paying that much attention to the band.
Did it lead to other gigging opportunities?

We're already booked for the local Easyrider show next year so they seem genuine in their desire to have us do it.

MNAirHead · #15 01-26-2011, 08:18 PM

Resume Exposure.

We don't put it on ours.. it doesn't put the right image out for potential weddings and corporate.

I'd maybe consider one orange and black kit just for biker dealerships.

Lesfunk · #16 01-26-2011, 08:19 PM

Sounds like an adventure. If the money's right, I'd be up for it.

QORC · #17 01-27-2011, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimc

Thanks for the responses.

I guess my questions are...

Merch sales big deal or not?
Receptive crowds? (we've played some Harley dealership gigs and the punters are more interested in looking cool and looking at bikes than paying that much attention to the band.
Did it lead to other gigging opportunities?

We're already booked for the local Easyrider show next year so they seem genuine in their desire to have us do it.

1. Merch sales can be significant at a big event because there are so many bikers around. If you do it, you have to have a t-shirt that is UNIQUE -- even slightly bawdy or obscene. It has to be priced LOW because there will be t-shirt vendors everywhere selling t-shirts for $10 or less. And you have to have someone right by the stage selling your merch for you throughout and after the show. We have never had a merch person so selling t-shirts has been difficult. However, I've seen other bands set up their own booth and CLEAN UP.

2. Bikers are great people and they love live music. Are they receptive to your band? No way for me to know. It depends on the music. They seem to really like our band (ac/dc) in a big way. So much so that people specifically come to our venue and wait up to 90 minutes just to get a good spot. I've seen other bands on the same stage playing their hearts out and only 20 people are in front of them. so I guess the answer is, 'it depends.'

Bikers are some of the nicest people we encounter. Always friendly. I've never seen even one fight. They are in general more down to earth and friendlier than your average citizen. If they dig the music, they will let you know and be very cool about it.

hope this helps

emor · #18 01-27-2011, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Been there, done that, ain't never going back. For-get-it.

YMMV

Please continue....

QORC · #19 01-27-2011, 05:20 AM

bike events are great! they are our bread and butter. We never play to bigger crowds than at bike events. for us, 1,000 - 3,000 is a constant.

but like I said, usually at these events there are bands EVERYWHERE. big stages. Small stages. Not every band will "work" at an event. Some work better than others. Some events are better than others. I've never been to or played at Sturgis but I can't imagine that it's much different than Daytona, Leesburg or Myrtle Beach.

I would definitely go and do the event. What do you have to lose?

marksdbass · #20 01-27-2011, 05:38 AM

Played a couple downtown Sturgis bars during the rally.
Never had a bad experience, playing Sturgis...good people out to have a lot of fun.
Make sure to factor in lodging. Hotel rooms run 3 to 5 hundred during the rally. Lots of campgrounds.. $50 to whatever depending on ammenities.
Also, the venue promoters are always trying to short the bands (and keep the money). Stand your ground. reguardless of what they say, they're making serious cash.
Stages normally fire up in early afternoon with live music till bar closing (2:00 am), Mayby Later if your playing the big campgrounds.