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Do you let weather cancel your gig...?

AfroCubanFunkMa

AfroCubanFunkMa

Jul 7, 2009
351
3
Metro-Boston North Showahhh
www.lossugarkings.com
#1
Hypothetical of course but just curious, if you can make it despite bad roads and questionable parking (state of emergency and all in Cambridge, Ma) and the bar/club is determined to stay open, despite a nasty NorEaster Blizzard.. Do ya?

We just did and despite what anyone might say about us being crazy, the band killed and this one might actually mean something more than the money..

Raised Rooves Feel Awesome...
 
#4
Miraculously, no, never canceled a gig due to weather. I've driven to gigs 30 miles from home in weather that the state police and news agencies urge you to stay home in. The truly amazing thing is that every single band member (5) has driven separately and we've all made it every time! The best gig in these situations are hotel gigs. IME the drive home is the one you really have to worry about.
 
#6
wolfmancharlie said:
The show goes on unless the club , bar , or whatever cancels on you. in 36 years we never missed a show. There were a few times we even thought we were crazy but thats just what you do.
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My attitude exactly.. There's some sort of musician's code to never cancel a gig if you can help it. We also went to a gig on the Vineyard during Hurricane Earl last Labor Day. This storm was bad but wasn't so bad that we couldn't make it.. much to the disapproval of our wives.. DOH!

+1 on the road home being the trickiest part..
 
#7
wolfmancharlie said:
The show goes on unless the club , bar , or whatever cancels on you. in 36 years we never missed a show. There were a few times we even thought we were crazy but thats just what you do.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. If the venue, promoter etc cancels or re-books then Ok but if you have a contract or they say the show will go on then try to get there.
I worry about spring ,summer outdoor gigs booked in advance and rain more than anything.
The winter here cause problems but knock on wood we have never missed a show yet. I do hear some bars in some area's where there is foot traffic do a good buisness on snowy nights so you never know.
 
#13
Maybe if it was raining a little harder we might have cancelled... It was an outdoor gig after all..

Randy
 

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#14
If we are ready to cancel the gig, chances are. the bar is too.... cuz they know they might close early.. and crowd will be thin.. so sometimes it's better just to stay home, dry and warm... instead of plowing through a blizzard and set up gear for 5 to 10 people. That's not worth it.
 
#15
If you can't confirm with the other guys and the bar by phone that the gig is cancelled, best to show up. Everyone that went to all the trouble to make it will be pretty pissed at the ones that didn't show up and didn't let anyone else know they wouldn't.

You'd think that goes without saying, which is probably why nobody said it yet... :D

Randy
 
#16
My situation is a bit different from some.

Guitarist provides the tow vehicle, four-door pickup and four of us ride together, but I own the enclosed band trailer (no electronic brakes) and 99% of all the gear, PA, lights, even the drums.

Just sliding off the road would cost more than the gig to get out of, and a worse accident could end up costing following gig(s), as we gig pretty often, so it would be foolish imho to take much of a chance.

We’ve got one coming up that we did a few weeks ago, pays well, but not close to home, and in an area that’s down in a valley and where the weather is typically very bad compared to surrounding areas.

I’m not the band “leader”, but if I’m not comfortable with the weather forecast, it’s not gonna happen.

Fortunately, I don’t see any real resistance from the other band members, as we were poised to cancel the last one depending on the weather forecast.
 
#18
Eh, if you're playing Toad or Johnny D's, etc, I wouldn't cancel. Like you said, folks will generally walk there in a blizzard because, well, Northeast people are crazy. :-) I was getting ready to make the drive tonight from Arlington to Newton for a theater gig, but the stage manager canceled at the very last minute. Where ya playing? I might be able to persuade the womang to head out for a fellow TBer...
 
#19
Last December we did a gig about a half hour out into the country. When we loaded out at 2am it was -54C. No wind. Colder than Siberia that night. Colder than Antarctica. Colder than any other place on Earth that night. Horn player's door handle broke off in his hand when he tried to open the door.

Great gig though.
 

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