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Fewer NYE gigs?

#3
buldog5151bass said:
You aren't the only one not going out for NYE. Also lots of companies are running leaner, and don't have money for holiday parties.

Two reasons there are fewer NYE gigs.
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Company holiday parties seem to have died over a decade ago with the exception of smaller companies with a family vibe or small to mid-sized high income companies like legal firms or real estate firms. I just haven't seen any "buy your tickets now" for NYE at the harbor, but on second thought, I just hit 51 so I'm over 50 and maybe not a good demographic for those ads?
 
#5
I've played a few NYE gigs and none of them had big turnouts. Between the typically crap weather of western NY and the police stepping up DWI patrols, more people around here seem to stay home or go to neighborhood parties.
 
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#9
Top tier bands in a decent sized market are probably all booked for New Year's. Mid and low tier bands, not so much. People that like to do NYE like big parties (In a ballroom or something) - they're not hanging out at the local dive. So, there are NYE gigs, but they're typically few and big.
 
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#10
micguy said:
Top tier bands in a decent sized market are probably all booked for New Year's. Mid and low tier bands, not so much. People that like to do NYE like big parties (In a ballroom or something) - they're not hanging out at the local dive. So, there are NYE gigs, but they're typically few and big.
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Whenever I played one of those big ballroom parties in hotels (I used to play in a top-tier band in Boston) I noticed how unsatisfactory they were for many of the attendees. Much less dancing, for one thing, and difficulty for us in finding the right tunes for such a diverse and socially unconnected group of people. Also, lots of people drinking far more quickly than they should, so that quite a few people ended the night early. I looked forward to them, because they paid well and marked the end of the busy holiday season, after which I could finally get some sleep!
 
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#11
matthewbrown said:
Whenever I played one of those big ballroom parties in hotels (I used to play in a top-tier band in Boston) I noticed how unsatisfactory they were for many of the attendees. Much less dancing, for one thing, and difficulty for us in finding the right tunes for such a diverse and socially unconnected group of people. Also, lots of people drinking far more quickly than they should, so that quite a few people ended the night early. I looked forward to them, because they paid well and marked the end of the busy holiday season, after which I could finally get some sleep!
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I was in a band that played a couple of weddings (we weren't a "wedding band" per se - long story), but it became obvious that, in that context, the role of the band was to entertain everyone until everyone had a couple drinks in them. Once everyone has a bit of a buzz on, you're good - no matter where anyone came from they're now family, and will have a good time if you play something danceable.

Frat parties are a similar vibe - something in common, just get them to the point where they're a bit buzzed, and you're good.

In a ballroom, yes the couple of drinks thing applies, but they're not family - they don't have the bride or groom relationship to lean on, and they don;t live in the same frat house - they're still a bunch of disconnected strangers - that's gotta be a tough room. Plus, the acoustics are often kinda crappy.
 
#12
In my circles I’m seeing a lot of NYE events at bars and venues featuring big-draw artists and bands supported by up-and-coming artists and bands, pretty much all of them Texas Country or “Texas Music” (aka rock). Lots of these events operate under the attendees buying ticket packages online beforehand without any possibility for day-of ticket sales, creating the scarcity mentality.

Outside of this though it seems that a lot of my friends who do the jazz and blues gigs as hired guns are suddenly available too. Could venues canceling their live music be a reflection of lack of popularity of certain genres supporting these NYE events at venues in markets that can’t guarantee their income by ticket ore-sale? Not intended as a slam against jazz or blues musicians, there may just be fewer places willing to hold events featuring some kinds of music without a way to guarantee they remain profitable on a major drinking holiday.

*I should note that I live in Austin, TX...which has become something of a destination town for partying along the lines of Las Vegas and Nee Orleans and we have a strong ride-share presence to curtail the necessity of risking a DUI.
 
#13
The last two NYE I played were about 10 years ago. An exclusive country club had members that wanted to enjoy entertaining their friends and families without all the fuss of a party at home, so the club decided to open from 5:30 to 9:30, at which time we played “Auld Lang Zine”, and packed up. I had plenty of time to unload, change, and relax on the couch with my wife and the beagle to watch the ball drop in NYC.

Jake
 
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#14
MultiScaleMale said:
It seems like I’m seeing a lot fewer ads for NYE parties and have noticed more musicians saying they’re available, gig was cancelled. Not sure if I’m an isolated anomaly or that’s happening where you live. Personally I don’t go out for NYE. Too many idiots on the road when they’re sober.
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I believe the legal repercussions for “over-serving” patrons has had an impact on alcohol dispensaries.
 
#15
My band has an NYE gig at a downtown club, which sold out their tickets for the event. I know at least 2 other bands with NYE shows in the area. Normally I would want to stay home, but it's tough to turn down a good paying gig when you don't have anything else going on.
 
#16
I dunno. We’ve got a NYE gig, but with a sub because I’m in Scotland enjoying the four day well-behaved riot they call “Hogmanay”. These folks here, they haven’t forgotten how to enjoy life they way we have in the States.
 

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