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Cancel due to weather

Spent

Spent

May 15, 2011
2,164
2,982
Upstate NY
waywardminds.band
#1
We've got a gig tonight and it looks like we're going to have our first big snow storm of the season, it's already started. I'm thinking we need to cancel for the following reasons. 1) because of the obvious driving conditions; I don't think the plowing will be adequate at 2:00 a.m. 2) the club is going to be empty. I've played in light snow conditions in the past and that was enough to discourage people from going out. 10" of snow may discourage a lot more. 3) The club owner may not be happy about forking over $750 if we outnumber the audience so we'll compromise (we play there often) and play for drinks (and I don't drink when I go out).

Have you ever cancled/postponed a gig due to snow?
 
#2
I agree w you. Never had to cancel due to snow but other heavy weather has caused
last minute cancellations for us...usually during Spring when the outdoor festivals start up. But no need to risk anyone safety with a big snow storm moving in.
 
#5
I'm from Calgary, I played one show where a storm came in during the evening, bringing lots of snow and lots of wind, getting home late at night with massive snow drifts across the roads and very bad visibility was pretty sketchy. Another day we had the opportunity to record for a day in Banff, but the drive home was super slick with lots of snow. I hate highway driving at night when all the headlights are illuminating is falling snow flakes.. I've had some nights where I think the weight of the gear in the back of my little two wheel drive ranger was the difference in having enough traction to make it! The flooding in Calgary this June almost cancelled us but instead we decided to go on and collect donations for flooding victims, though the benefit of that night may have been more providing music for folks that had their power shut down. Can't think if I've ever had a gig cancelled though. Played some pretty empty rooms because of the weather.
 
#6
This post-in-reply has been cancelled due to inclimate weather conditions. Refunds can be had at any TicketMaster outlet.

Seriously, no sense risking life & limb. Other good reasons to cancel:

*Projected disproportionately higher number of ugly women in the audience.

*Headlining performer is dead.

Riis
 
#7
Spent said:
Have you ever cancled/postponed a gig due to snow?
Click to expand...

No, but I've wished I had, many, many times, and for all of the reasons you've cited. Well, except for the $750 part. I play originals. ;)

Spent said:
We're in upstate NY, about 75 miles directly north of NYC. It wasn't supposed to start until later, but it's snowing at my house.
Click to expand...

Upstate NY in the house! And by "in the house", I mean literally in the house, from about November through April. :D
 
#9
i have only had to cancel one gig that i can recall due to weather...
about 4 years ago.

i called the club first to get their opinion, around noon, because the snow was
already comin down like crazy.... and they were thankful for the call and
agreed it was best to cancel - the club was in BFE and no one was gonna
brave the roads out there but especially going home all tanked up on PBR.
 
#10
I was in a band about 30 years that wanted to cancel a gig due to a snow storm. The owner insisted that we show up. The permit for the club was for 500 people but they usually had more than that. The night of the storm we played the first set to 2 people and the second set to the bartenders and doorman. They sent us home after that but still paid us the entire amount. The following night the place was packed.

You should probably call the club and ask what there plans are for the storm.
 
#14
We pretty much embrace a "gentlemen's agreement" with the majority of our good (repeat) venues. If they have doubts about probable crowd turnout, or lack thereof, we'll accept a cancellation provided they give us some notice. OTOH, I really need to take a closer look at the contracts floating about with regards to the specific guidelines. For example, I know of one venue that addressed the issuance of a state "highway advisory" as an instrument.

Riis
 
#16
I can't remember any show ever being cancelled due to weather, but I'm sure it has happened a time or two over the years. What I can say definitively, is that I've had plenty of shows that I thought should be cancelled, only to play to a packed and stoked out crowd.

I hate winter, but there is something very cool about trudging out in crappy conditions, and getting to where other people trudged out too. There's this "Ah, we made it" type of energy. I'm hoping for some of this magic tonight, as I have a gig up in NH, and there will be plenty of snow.
 
#18
The largest recent winter storm in my region was almost ten years ago.

It was around -50C, blizzard conditions, little to no visibility. Maybe 1/2 the city closed, you could still go out and do anything you needed to if you really wanted to.

Americans give up easily against winter. I used to talk to Americans for my job and they would always complain how cold it was and their city was shut down when my city was usually 20 degrees colder (celsius) and I was at work like any other day.

I would not go out to play for drinks even in the summertime though, so I am still torn on this scenario.
 
#19
Zooberwerx said:
This post-in-reply has been cancelled due to inclimate weather conditions. Refunds can be had at any TicketMaster outlet.

Seriously, no sense risking life & limb. Other good reasons to cancel:

*Projected disproportionately higher number of ugly women in the audience.

*Headlining performer is dead.

Riis
Click to expand...

Nice! This is a college bar (last week of finals) so I know the biggest incentive for a couple of the guys is the Dressed to Kill Hotties (they made up 2/3 of the audience last time). If I mention your projection, they'll cancel in a heartbeat.
 

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