15 minutes between bands - no backline provided...?

[Taustin Powers]

We are playing on a fairly big stage at the Fete de la Musique in Berlin next month. Just got our time slot and noticed they are only planning for 15 minutes set up time between bands. Cool, I think, so there must be a backline provided, and we can just plug in and go. Just got an email back that no, they cannot provide a backline. The tech guys will be in contact with us.

We are a seven piece band - drums, bass, guitar, key, vox, sax and trumpet. Am I too pessimistic in thinking there is no way in hell we can set up all our gear and be ready to go within 15 minutes, minus the time the previous band takes to tear down? Maybe they expect us to share a backline among the four bands that are playing, but it doesn't strike me as that kind of gig, and no effort has been made to connect the bands with each other. They also just told the bands to be there "15 minutes before your playtime".

Very curious to find out how they want this to work.

 

[theduke1]

We are playing on a fairly big stage at the Fete de la Musique in Berlin next month. Just got our time slot and noticed they are only planning for 15 minutes set up time between bands. Cool, I think, so there must be a backline provided, and we can just plug in and go. Just got an email back that no, they cannot provide a backline. The tech guys will be in contact with us.

We are a seven piece band - drums, bass, guitar, key, vox, sax and trumpet. Am I too pessimistic in thinking there is no way in hell we can set up all our gear and be ready to go within 15 minutes, minus the time the previous band takes to tear down? Maybe they expect us to share a backline among the four bands that are playing, but it doesn't strike me as that kind of gig, and no effort has been made to connect the bands with each other. They also just told the bands to be there "15 minutes before your playtime".

Very curious to find out how they want this to work.

Maybe there are two stages with time while the other band is playing?
Duke

 

[Oddly]

Sounds like this is being organised by somebody with no concept of how to run a show involving multiple bands.
However, maybe the tech guys know what they're doing, perhaps running a rotating stage or something?
I'd chase them up as soon as possible.

 

[Taustin Powers]

It's only one stage, that much I know. She said the tech guys would reach out to the bands later this week. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Ostie]

I'm amazed that they even thought to include set up time. I can tell you how many gigs I've played where they don't even consider it.

 

[dbase]

I hate sharing a stage with another band unless it's with say, Paul MaCartney.

 

[Goatrope]

Wow. I hope @Taustin Powers the gig goes OK. Update us if you can.

This is why I gave up these type of gigs. In my locale, they are the most poorly conceived shows, with no consideration given to the bands. We've been caught with no back line, no setup time (15min or less) no parking, angry staff, and little pay. No more.

These events could be a lot of fun, and perhaps make some good money for a cause, but man, they're a poopie-show around these parts.

 

[fourstr00]

It's not great, but setting up an amp in 15 minutes happens pretty often in festivals I've worked. Most will depend on the other band's ability to get off the stage quickly.

Really, the drummer is going to get the worst of it.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I'm a sound person at a busy venue and we used to have 15 min between bands, but we did provide the backline. My guess is that they tell you got 15 min setup time so you hurry up. No way you'll be ready in 15 min, and they are well aware of that.

 

[bolophonic]

It generally takes me about 2 minutes to set up. I agree that 15 minutes is a little unrealistic for one band to tear down and another to get fully set up, but then again, maybe this just isn't the gig where the drummer gets to have his full rack of roto-toms and the guitarist doesn't get to smoke three cigarettes while setting up.

 

[theduke1]

Maybe it's 15 minutes after the the previous band is down?
Duke

 

[nilebodgers]

It's pretty tight, but doable provided there is space backstage to assemble drum kits, pre-build amps on risers etc. and plenty of stage hands to shift kit on and off. The previous bands kit would just be carried off without disassembling and then stripped down backstage out of the way.

I'd be a bit concerned if they hadn't told you how changeovers will work. I assume they have already asked for a stage & channel plan?

 

[mrjim123]

If the stage is deep enough then the first band can set up in front of the next band. If not then 15 minutes is almost ridiculous - *I* might be able to do a quick setup on bass, but I've never know a drummer that could do it, unless, maybe, his kit is already assembled off stage. In my experience these shows almost always run behind schedule.

 

[LBS-bass]

I can set up my gear in less than 15 minutes. My guitarist can too, he has a modeling board on the floor. My drummer, not so much. Maybe there's no backline for amps but maybe a drum kit is available? Hopefully the tech will clarify.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

We do this all the time when we soundcheck before a show and leave a backline. Hopefully that's what's going on here. If you have full teardown and setup in 15 that's a lot to ask.

 

[Ggaa]

Possibly they'll give you as long as you need for setup.

 

[Michedelic]

I hate sharing a stage with another band unless it's with say, Paul MaCartney.

So you can show him up?

 

[31HZ]

Have the kit ready to go offstage. 15 mins is do-able if the previous drummer jumps up and pulls their kit off to the side.

 

[five7]

15 minutes, done it many times both as a bass player and a soundman.

 

[marchone]

The first quick change I ever saw with 15 minutes between multiple bands was in 1966 at the RKO 58th St Theater in NYC. The Who, Cream, Paul Butterfield, and more.

Drums always take the longest to set up. Their innovation was two rolling platforms for the drums. One backstage while the other was on. That left enough time for the other bands to roll their rigs onstage.

It was rumored Bill Graham ran the stagehand crew. That was a couple years before he opened the San Fran Fillmore.