First of all, have you made formal arrangements for loading out? Remember, someone with the keys to the joint who is trusted by the owner has to stay there while your loading out after the place closes. Your show starts at 10:30, so I assume your playing till closing time. In California the bars close at 2:00 AM by law. Here in Nevada, not so much. But you don't want to get into a situation where they order you out of the bar before you have your gear loaded out and packed up in your vehicles. It's happened to me before. They try to intimidate you and tell you to come back and get your gear the next day. I've run into problems with attempted theft and hijackings in these situations. Stories to tell your grand kids (if you live that long).
In California, unless they repealed it, there's a law on the books that holds a venue owner responsible for stolen musical instruments / gear. Check your state to see where you stand. Go over your gear insurance policy carefully if you have one to make sure there are not caveats. Whatever you do, if your playing until closing time, do not get in a situation where the staff, or at least someone on the staff refuses to stay at the venue while your loading out, and packing up. It can happen if you don't work it out ahead of time, and sometimes if you do. I don't have to tell you that there are some pretty shady characters who work at bars. That is, not just the musicians!
You also definitely do not want them to slam the backstage door on you in the middle of the night once your gear is out of the club, and then turn off the outside lights in some crummy alley or side street. Yes, that's happened to me before, too. And yes, a couple of times there were certain problems. We / I took precautions for that (check you state laws and take your training). But that's not a solution to the problem. The solution is not to let it happen in the first place.
Obviously, access to the stage. A few places I used to play had stage elevators if they were on a second floor (or forget it), and many had back door entrances to the stage. Whoever's booking the gig should inquire about stage access and plan accordingly. I don't like / would not haul my gear into a venue when a crowd of patrons is there. To my way of thinking, accidents are just too likely to happen doing that, especially when people are drinking. Plus, there's always that "one guy". In these situations, loading your gear in before the patrons show up and then setting up before the show highly preferable. I would say mandatory. But the gig has to be worth it. Yes?
Since your playing for free, your obviously not going to cover your gig with show / gig insurance. Okay, so what happens if somebody gets hurt and it involves the band / band gear / PA, etc.? Or just one of the scrappy members of your band? What do you think will happen if you attempt to bring this contingency up with your club owner? Remember, you'r not employees (casual or otherwise) if you'r not getting paid. Nor are you independent contractors. Some people would say you are chumps. A lot of things can go wrong at a gig that you may not be taking into consideration. Hopefully you won't have to learn of these pearls the hard way.
So I say (FWIW), if your going to play for free, at least cover your tail feathers. Or, forget it. Good luck!
Edit: If anybody read this far, I probably often come off as pretty negative. Actually, most of the gigs I played / worked were fine. Most of the people I met particularly in clubs were okay. Some of them were really great, which makes it all worth it. All I'm saying is from time to time these kinds of things do / did happen. An ounce of prevention is therefore worth a pound of cure. Get things straight ahead of time and your way better off. That's all. Cheers!
In California, unless they repealed it, there's a law on the books that holds a venue owner responsible for stolen musical instruments / gear. Check your state to see where you stand. Go over your gear insurance policy carefully if you have one to make sure there are not caveats. Whatever you do, if your playing until closing time, do not get in a situation where the staff, or at least someone on the staff refuses to stay at the venue while your loading out, and packing up. It can happen if you don't work it out ahead of time, and sometimes if you do. I don't have to tell you that there are some pretty shady characters who work at bars. That is, not just the musicians!
You also definitely do not want them to slam the backstage door on you in the middle of the night once your gear is out of the club, and then turn off the outside lights in some crummy alley or side street. Yes, that's happened to me before, too. And yes, a couple of times there were certain problems. We / I took precautions for that (check you state laws and take your training). But that's not a solution to the problem. The solution is not to let it happen in the first place.
Obviously, access to the stage. A few places I used to play had stage elevators if they were on a second floor (or forget it), and many had back door entrances to the stage. Whoever's booking the gig should inquire about stage access and plan accordingly. I don't like / would not haul my gear into a venue when a crowd of patrons is there. To my way of thinking, accidents are just too likely to happen doing that, especially when people are drinking. Plus, there's always that "one guy". In these situations, loading your gear in before the patrons show up and then setting up before the show highly preferable. I would say mandatory. But the gig has to be worth it. Yes?
Since your playing for free, your obviously not going to cover your gig with show / gig insurance. Okay, so what happens if somebody gets hurt and it involves the band / band gear / PA, etc.? Or just one of the scrappy members of your band? What do you think will happen if you attempt to bring this contingency up with your club owner? Remember, you'r not employees (casual or otherwise) if you'r not getting paid. Nor are you independent contractors. Some people would say you are chumps. A lot of things can go wrong at a gig that you may not be taking into consideration. Hopefully you won't have to learn of these pearls the hard way.
So I say (FWIW), if your going to play for free, at least cover your tail feathers. Or, forget it. Good luck!
Edit: If anybody read this far, I probably often come off as pretty negative. Actually, most of the gigs I played / worked were fine. Most of the people I met particularly in clubs were okay. Some of them were really great, which makes it all worth it. All I'm saying is from time to time these kinds of things do / did happen. An ounce of prevention is therefore worth a pound of cure. Get things straight ahead of time and your way better off. That's all. Cheers!
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