How do you handle Complaints?

[Honch]

I would get a collaborator in the audience, or 2-3 more chicks (bands girlfriends) imposters as a regular crowd and tell that lady "But those 2 came up before and said it was too low, now whom of you should I follow? I think it's better for you to go talk to them, because if I turn down they will come back, and if I turn up you will come back... so which one should I follow?"

They usually split after faced with that choice.

 

[Steve]

Typically, I'll just leave it at an apology they didn't like it.
If it is a noise gripe I will usually try to drill down into that and try to find out if they really thought it was too loud or if the mix had a problem. It's been my experience that people complain about too much high end LONG before they complain about volume even though they say, it's too loud.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Here's how NOT to handle a complaint.

Someone once asked our sound man to turn down. So our guitar player walked up to the microphone and announced, "If it's too loud then you're too fu@$ing old...". I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide.

 

[lfmn16]

When my band complains, I got a two-word sentence (can't type here) that shuts 'em up.

Merry Christmas???

 

[Nev375]

If at all possible, I'll fart.

 

[two fingers]

I run sound for a living. Clubs are my favorite, where patrons can just walk up to the booth or notice me walking around with an iPad.

"Hey, that I can't hear that vocal."
"Hey, that guitar is too loud."
"Do you take requests?"
"Why is the bassist making that face?"

But you also get
"That kick sounds awesome"
"Those vocals really cut through"
"Awesome monitors tonight, we could hear everything(from the band)"

Can't please them all. Just say OK and move on.

OK now I know you're making this up. NOBODY calls us "the bassist". Maybe "that guitar player" but NEVER "the bassist".

 

[mellowinman]

How do you handle complaints at gigs?

Last fall I was approached in the first break by a young lady at one of our gigs who said she was leaving because it was just too loud and she didn't expect the live music to be as loud as it was. It surprised me that she made a point to tell me why she was leaving. And that was an acoustic set! Everyone else loved it. One person out of an audience of approx 100 complained.
Recently , and again while the entire audience was enjoying and reacting positively, one person complained that the music was too obscure and suggested we play something more mainstream. We were playing Classic Rock Hits...obscure?...really?

How do you respond to those people who seem to be mismatched for your band but show up at the gigs and then complain?

Police are still looking for me.

 

[rtslinger]

Complaints? what are complaints? We give our fans what they want to hear they have been following us for years most of our song choices are theirs. We are all pros and control our volumes and give them our blood sweat and tears 110% every show. Club owners love us because we build their following. I think 21 shows already this year booked out to Dec 23rd can a test to that. If there were people complaining about something it would be handle with listening and learning if it was something we need to change to. If it were some drunk take it with a grain of salt and move on people say stupid stuff when the brain and the mouth are disconnected

 

[buldog5151bass]

If no one is saying something constructive/negative about your music, you likely are not playing in front of many people.

 

[Element Zero]

Yes I know I'm not loud enough. The band leader doesn't let me go through the p.a. He doesn't want me to ruin his subs.

 

[foolforthecity]

If at all possible, I'll fart.

For added emphasis make sure subwoofers get involved

 

[interp]

Use Lee Sklar's "producer switch."

 

[123Nil]

Just look back at them and say "Do you know who I am? Well...... do you?

I don't need to read anymore....Winner!!!!!

 

[JRA]

neither one of my bands ever gets complaints --- not that we shouldn't --- we're too busy working for the audience and they (audiences) know it. we're probably too loud more than half the time, but apparently, we are 'forgiven' for that and a host of other 'sins'. and: some of us are old(er), some fat, yada yada, so we might be getting the 'sympathy' vote! ha! we're also playing jazz with phenomenal soloists = talent trumps most other issues (so far!).

i wouldn't handle any criticism/complaint with anything but a sincere "thanks for taking the time to let us know...we need to know what our fans and supporters are thinking."

complaints about volume are ubiquitous. and they need to be addressed, IMO.

 

[bassbully]

I don't need to read anymore....Winner!!!!!

LOL it may not always work but if you do it right I guarantee it will stop them and get their full attention.

 

[Hounddog409]

I run sound for a living. Clubs are my favorite, where patrons can just walk up to the booth or notice me walking around with an iPad.

"Hey, that I can't hear that vocal."
"Hey, that guitar is too loud."
"Do you take requests?"
"Why is the bassist making that face?"

But you also get
"That kick sounds awesome"
"Those vocals really cut through"
"Awesome monitors tonight, we could hear everything(from the band)"

Can't please them all. Just say OK and move on.

My question is, if folks are saying they cannot hear the vocal or can't hear anything due to guitar problem....do you ignore or make changes?

i just played a bar gig Thursday and heard from many after the show that the vocals were barley audible. I asked why they didn't they say anything and was told that they all had mentioned it to our sound guy and where ignored.
Needless to say that will not happen again.....

 

[Stratro]

When you do a kick ass bass solo and all you hear is cricket sounds from the audience...

 

[2manynotes]

"I never did mind about the little things."

 

[Mr Sensitive]

Many of these issues seem to be related to stage volume. Having run sound before, I can attest that roaring, uncontrolled state volume makes live sound coherence, nearly impossible, and usually too loud. I've quit otherwise promising bands because of their inability to control stage volume, to the point I couldn't hear the drummer on stage.

Don't get me wrong, I love big energy and I understand that guitar amps sound qualitatively better cranked up. But that's why amps should be properly scaled for the venue, and some of those new low watt boutique amps are perfect for a club, with a mic for the PA.

Sure, there are always going to be complaints, but controlling stage volume makes life better for the band, the soundman and most importantly, the audience.

</rant>

 

[Ric5]

Years ago I was in a band and we played a lions or Eagles private club. The Drummer was a member there and wanted to show off his new band to the locals. These clubs have a diverse membership, from 21 year olds to 80 year olds. We played on gig there and they loved us. It was a mostly younger crowd. The second gig all of the "blue hairs" showed up and they hated us. One old lady kept coming up to the stage and told us bluntly that we were the worst band they ever had there. I guess she would have preferred polka. Also this club had a rule that you could swear but never use the "F" word. So for our last song we pulled out the Puddle of Mudd song "She Fu**ing Hates me"

We wanted to make sure that we would not ever get asked back there again.