Fewer NYE gigs?

[Samatza]

We always had a NYE gig for 32 years, the last two years no NYE gig. We didn't really push for it and this year my wife had NYE off work making it the first NYE we would be together and not working for 34 years.

I had an offer to play as a hired gun but I declined as I wanted to spend NYE with my wife. Truth is that gigs have diminished, I suppose there are lots of different reasons however if we made a few phone calls in November we would probably have been working.

The second last one we did the venue management called a week out and said they only had 36 bookings, typically a lot of people book late because they want to see where everyone else is going. I told them not to worry, we put out a bit of marketing and within two days they had booked 180 and people still calling to book.

It was a great turnout and a great night, everyone had a good time and made a point of stopping by our table to thank us. At the end of it all the venue complained that there were too many people and it was very hard on staff. You'd think for the money that they made in those few hours they could have easily paid for more staff, especially since the tickets were already sold prior to the event.

We had people at our regular gigs asking if we were performing NYE, I noticed a lot of venues now just get a DJ. Next year we'll plan early and approach some suitable venues with a door deal, we should be able to get 250-300 tickets sold and that's more than enough to cover our fee.

 

[turf3]

I haven't had a New years gig since 1998/99. Y2K put the death knell on live music and going out New Year's as too many people were afraid the sky was going to fall at 01/01/2000.

Once bars and restaurants figured out they could make money without a band or a dance, they were done. After that, it's just been further decline.

 

[Davey28]

I haven't had a New years gig since 1998/99. Y2K put the death knell on live music and going out New Year's as too many people were afraid the sky was going to fall at 01/01/2000.

Once bars and restaurants figured out they could make money without a band or a dance, they were done. After that, it's just been further decline.

I was just talking to someone about how the internet, DUI laws and high-def television keeps live music less popular. Your explanation makes even more sense. I never thought about it that way!

 

[51PRI]

I haven't had a New years gig since 1998/99. Y2K put the death knell on live music and going out New Year's as too many people were afraid the sky was going to fall at 01/01/2000.....

I don't remember it that way. I was on stage at a restaurant bar playing an acoustic gig to a full house when Y2K happened. Nobody knew what, or if anything, would happen, and, of course, nothing did. I don't think the unwarranted Y2K scare had any long lasting effect on NYE gigs.

 

[fdeck]

NYE has slowed down for me. I remember roughly 20 years ago, the downtown restaurants had wild NYE parties, generous music budgets, and big crowds. But I think NYE has just followed the rest of the gig scene overall. People aren't going out as much. There are other forms of entertainment that have increased in quantity and quality over the years, such as televised sports.

For more than a decade, I've had a NYE gig at a retirement facility, that ends at 8:30, and the last few years, have found a second gig after that. But these are low key affairs, with jazz bands. This year the band did a house party -- a young couple threw a party for their friends and wanted entertainment. How classy. One thing I've noticed is that young professionals aren't guzzling alcohol like the previous generation did. There was plenty of alcohol at the party, but nobody was drinking it, and everybody was having a good time.