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Ever played a class reunion?

mboogiemanusa

mboogiemanusa

Mar 6, 2009
538
13
Ventura CA
#1
My "old guy" classic rock cover/bar band was just offered a gig to play a 10 year high school reunion. Obviously we will load up the sets with modern dancable rock to augment the classics. Yes, the reunion committee knows we are classic rock but selected us over 20 other options including Top 40 dance bands / hip hop acts and DJ's. This reunion is going to take place at an upscale country club. I'm thinking sort of a New Years eve "dress to the nines" vibe. Any one ever play a similar class reunion? What are the protocols and what can we expect? Most of any reunions I have attended never had any music. Is there any master of ceremony shtick that needs to be performed?
 
#5
I've only played one class reunion (not my own). It was a sub gig with a band whose leader went to that high school.

This was a crowd older than me (I'm 45), so the setlist skewed heavily to Beatles and other material from their era. But it was a good time, GREAT pay (double what I usually get for a 1-nighter), done before midnight and we got fed well, too.

Now then, as far as advice:

Even moreso than a bar gig, the band is NOT the primary draw of the event so as long as you can get into that mindset you'll be fine. Generally you're going to need to take some time out of your standard show to allow various representatives of the class to get up and do whatever else is on the program (unless you can talk them into doing all that stuff during your breaks). If you are on after the "program", it is almost inevitable you will be starting later than you were told.

People will be very drunk by the end of the event. You will have plenty of opportunities to roll your eyes at strange and pathetic behaviors... try not to do so. If you usually have a "no request" policy, this would be a good gig to drop that and at least try to get your way through one or two of them.

There may be class members in attendance who played guitar or drums or whatever in high school but haven't played in 30 years but are still going to want to sit in or sing with the band and you're gonna have to decide ahead of time how to deal with that and be prepared to stick to it once the event starts.
 
#6
I have played for lots of class reunions. Some tips to keep in mind based on your questions. Have somebody in the band available to make announcements in case a reunion member does not want to speak to hand out prizes, pull tickets, recognize people for things, etc.

Make sure you have some CDs on hand with songs that you don't play but might get requests for them such as The Electric Boogie by Marcia Griffiths (They do the Electric Slide dance to this song), The Macarena, etc.

Do not assume that the band will be given meals. Ask ahead of time and put meals and drinks in the contract or do not plan on eating. Also, don't assume you can take your spouses, girlfriends, or buddies along.

Be very flexible with the starting and break times because of meals, socializing and such for the old classmates. Make sure the band members are dressed appropriately.

A 10 year reunion will most likely be people in the mid 20s to early 30s age range. Try to play some tunes that were popular 10 - 14 years ago while they were in high school and junior high school and also have a CD loaded with them to play during breaks. You might also want to have a CD with some easy listening background music during the meal for atmosphere. People at these type of events and weddings like that.
 

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