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

[Wasnex]

Yeah but this is Fete de la Musique where I believe everyone play for free, admission is free and the bands can be a very mixed bag. Maybe a few pros, mostly semi-pros and amateurs plus a couple of "never been on a stage before". If anyone gets a soundcheck it's most likely only the first band. 15 minutes changeover with no backline, no soundcheck, a large part of the crew will most likely be volunteers with very little experience and therefore more likely to get in your way then to provide any useful help... although this will probably differ somewhat between venues. With stuff happening all over the city there probably won't be a 100% professional crew at every stage. It will almost certainly be a bit chaotic at best or severely behind schedule at worst.

At least this is MY experience after playing Fete de la Musique in several European countries over the years, although never in Germany or in a city the size of Berlin... so it COULD be different there I guess, although I think the concept is more or less the same everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, it's fun, charming and a great day for music. Just don't expect the professionalism or the crew you get on bigger, commercial festivals.

My advice to the OP: Have fun and don't waste energy worrying about things that are out of your control. 15 minutes is pretty tight under the circumstances but no-one is gonna blame you if you need a couple of minutes extra as long as you do your best, treat everone with respect and play a great gig.

I would still plan to succeed. Then if you don't make the transition in time, you know you did your best, and someone else dropped the ball.

Also since a 15 to 20 minutes transition is pretty normal for festival gigs, it's good practice. IMHO you should always try to come across as professionally as possible. You never know who is watching and what sort of doors it can open up. If the band successfully does the quick change and also puts on a good show, they may get approached by other event organizers.

 

[Drzejzi]

This weekend I played a gig with a band that uses horns and I was terrified, that there was no planned time for a souncheck before the show. At home I've made sure, that the DI signal from my amp has the correct level and good neutral sound. And it turned out great.

 

[Rabidhamster]

A drum rack is your bands best friend for this kind of thing.

 

[Honkey tonk]

Risers , big shows with sets/ backline are all done with Risers
Unless you have multiple stages or a turntable, even then you still have Risers

 

[GWGuitar]

Plan on being behind schedule.

 

[Pop C]

Been there, done this. If I do it again, I'll think about just bringing my pedalboard, which has a preamp on it and going DI into the snake. Then I'll hope they have decent monitors.

 

[StevewiththePbass]

Did this dance a lot in the metal band I played with in HS/College. More recently not as much, but my favorite part was the guitarists. I've been lucky to play with drummers who were more aware of time and more apt to prepare their equipment to move fast before and after shows. Played with more than a few guitarists who either run these HUGE custom boards that weigh 45 lbs and require help to place them, or have 3 or 4 pedals laid on the floor at their feet, cables going everywhere, one's *always* missing or shorted out. Then there's your iPad holders, the charger for it 'cause they forgot to charge it last night, etc etc...

I'll never understand gigging musicians who can operate so hap-hazardly. I mean, by all means you do you but the thought of transporting what is essentially my "rig" in a Rubbermade container has never made sense to me.

All that to say; all you can control is your own process. I have a feeling this show will run a bit late, but I hope for the best for your group!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

They've been doing The Day of Music in Berlin for a long time. You'll be fine. Keep your setup simple, be flexible, and have fun. Hope you have great weather for June 21!

 

[slagbass]

I would agree with the caveat that you need to give them the opportunity to get out of your way quickly. Nothing pisses me off more than someone getting in my way when I'm trying my best to get out of THEIR way in a hurry. Takes way longer than it should if we're all up there dancing around each other at the same time.

In a backline situation, I need 2 minutes (literally, 120 seconds) to clear the stage. I remember one time, during that 120 seconds, the bass player from the next band STANDING ON MY CABLE while he tried to get his gear set up. Words might have been exchanged....

 

[fhm555]

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.

Seems to me every band member should time themselves from start to finish on setup and try to beat ten minutes. I'm usually first to be ready so as soon as I'm done I start wrangling for whomever needs it. Take a good combo and whatever you need to plug into the house system and go.
Last, I've done things where we had 15 minute setups and if anyone went over they got their full stage time and everything got pushed back. I've also seen slow setups cut stage time trying to keep things on schedule, but in a multiple band thing I'd hope they have a stage manager to make that call. Either way, if y'all don't feel up to it, QQQdrop out if it's not to late. If it is too late? Just remember the bigger the poopie sandwich, the bigger your smile should be when it comes time to take your bite.

 

[logdrum]

Do stage load in and load out drills and do it from left and right and time your selves. By doing this you will come to many fruitful decisions and discovery

The absolute minimum setup gear you need ( guitar player probably only needs 3) - drummer a 3 or 4 piece
What song for the best sound check
Set list that will work and count it from the end.
Stage positions
Fall through plan
Checklist of what needs to be there and backup strategy
Can you or can you not do it

The stress of setting up would put unnecessary stress that could affect your performance. The less stress the more fun you and the audience will have

Remember expect the worst and plan for it. It will be worth it.
It's Germany -- the world looks up to you for precision and planning.

 

[zon5string]

Just my (40+ years of experience with gigging in southern California....) opinion, but 15 minutes to get one band struck and another up and mic'd with even just a line check is pretty much impossible unless BOTH bands are motivated to do so, and a cooperative crew helps.

Break a leg!

 

[roccobass]

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.

Good luck, my friend.

Been in these situations. Hopefully, you'll get a sound check out of this. Especially with a seven piece. This is also a classic recipe of how stuff gets stolen or lost. At the very least, bring a few extra bodies to help you load in/out and to keep an eye on your gear.

 

[Jimmy4string]

This time frame reminds me of when I tell my GF to somewhere an hour before the actual time so she arrives about on time -still usually late though.
They probably just want you to Rush (not like Geddy Lee)

 

[dbase]

So you can show him up?

I can move my Mesa amp in less than 15 mins. How muh time do you think McCartney needs to clear the stage.

 

[socialleper]

My world, welcome to it.

And no pay.

 

[Wasnex]

IMHO for the 15-min goal to be achieved, the stage crew's first priority during a change-over needs to be getting the previous band and their gear out of the way. This includes help moving gear and sheep-dogging the members to make sure they are moving in the right direction. This is something that should be discussed with the lead audio tech long before gig day. In other words, make sure this is the expectation on gig day and all involved parties are on the same page.

If the stage crew does not provide the appropriate direction, motivation, and help, it's not unusual for members of the previous bands to start up conversations in the middle of the stage. It's not your place to get them out of the way, and it's fairly likely to start a heated argument if you give them a little "intellectual" push. I know this first-hand .

If the tech crew is not doing what needs to be done to quickly clear the stage, I suggest taking it up with the lead tech or stage crew chief rather than harassing someone in another band. In order to do this, someone in your band needs to know who the leads are and keep an eye how the transition is going. If a problem starts to develop, engage the appropriate lead ASAP.

IMHO 15 minutes is challenging but doable as long as everyone is organized and properly motivated. There is a good chance it will run over 15 minutes, but try to be a professional and ensure the delay is not because of you or your band.

 

[jeffbrown]

I can move my Mesa amp in less than 15 mins. How muh time do you think McCartney needs to clear the stage.

Less than 20 seconds to wave to the crowd and then walk off stage.

 

[Beej]

I've had to do the 15 min thing a million times, you guys will be fine if you're prepared and organized. Pro tip is to bring a roadie/friend to help the drummer load in and load out.

Plus, you guys sound great, you're going to kill 'em!

 

[Taustin Powers]

So I finally got the information email from the tech guy.

Some highlights:

- "We are going to build a real stage"
Phew, I am glad it's a real one, and not made of matches and bubblegum.

- "Stage will be 6x4 meters, with a tarp cover".
Decent size, it should hold all seven of us.

- "We will provide power, monitoring and microphones"
So no need to bring a diesel run generator - power is provided!

- "You will need to bring any backline, including amps, instruments, drums, etc."
That much I figured.

- "You may set up the drums next to the stage, but then you'll have to carry everything up the stairs"
Looking forward to my drummer's face when I tell him!

So it's pretty much one of the not-so-ideal scenarios that's been described here. Rushed chaotic set up, first song will be our soundcheck. I am expecting delays between bands. I still think it will be fun, and we are going to make the best of it!