MatticusMania said:
You would think that it would be easy to ignore him.. But sometimes the absurdity of some of the things he says can drive a brother to the brink... The brink of what I'm not sure...lol
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How to answer "How many people will you bring?"
- Thread starter jonas_24112
- Start date
You would think that it would be easy to ignore him.. But sometimes the absurdity of some of the things he says can drive a brother to the brink... The brink of what I'm not sure...lol
When they ask this question, do they mean how many of their customers are not going to be there next weekend because they will be at some other bar we'll be playing then?
I mean, if the customers are supposed to be our draw, they're not really the venue's customers, are they?
I mean, if the customers are supposed to be our draw, they're not really the venue's customers, are they?
"How many people do you normally have in your establishment on a Tuesday night? Mmhmm. Ok, that, plus five."
I've done that gig....played the night of a snow storm.
Problem is the bar owner didn't really care. All he saw was that he had a venue with employees and live entertainment that he needed to pay.
So, as a result, he shorted us.
Which was funny because when we played there and drew a great crowd and filled the joint a few times over through the night....
...he still said we didn't really bring in great numbers, and so he shorted us.
So as far as I can tell the number of people that bar owners are looking for is a moot point, hence my smarmy comment.
I'm always willing to let them know what we draw. However there are an infinite number of factors which can effect that; the bar could be outside the area which our fans are willing to travel, something big could be going on somewhere else that night, there could be a weather issue, the place may just be a complete helllhole and a dump that no one wants to set foot into and would be best served by burning to the ground.
We play the gig and if you don't like the numbers then don't ask for us to come back. We will do what we can to keep people coming out by doing the best show we can and promoting as much as we can. But in the end I can't drive everyone to the venue and pay for them to get through the door.
I do almost all the booking and the question usually is phrased like this:
"Do you have a following?"
This is so ambiguous that I can only answer in a similar manner:
"We have a mailing list with about eighty folks on it, a Facebook page with about seventy-five fans, a Twitter account and an official website. We register all events in local publications and websites. We do everything to get the word out and always appreciate your help with that."
That's all I can really say. If they ask how many people we can bring (and it's a new venue), I try to politely inform them that it's largely dependent on the booking date (ex. near holidays; near paydays; during a big local sporting event or MMA).
"Do you have a following?"
This is so ambiguous that I can only answer in a similar manner:
"We have a mailing list with about eighty folks on it, a Facebook page with about seventy-five fans, a Twitter account and an official website. We register all events in local publications and websites. We do everything to get the word out and always appreciate your help with that."
That's all I can really say. If they ask how many people we can bring (and it's a new venue), I try to politely inform them that it's largely dependent on the booking date (ex. near holidays; near paydays; during a big local sporting event or MMA).
Honestly,
this is the saddest, saddest gripe I've heard in a quite awhile.
And I've seen it pop up more and more on the interwebz.
I'd advise any band that cannot come to grips with a promoter's, or venue's query,
to rent your own hall, or simply PAY-TO-PLAY.
And I don't mean your mincing "they want me to advance tickets", I mean 1980s NYC/LA showcase-style $250 for 25 minutes in front of industry-types.
When I read the snarky lil witticisms you spew, I imagine weak-knee'd suburban brahs who believe that; because their dad's a lawyer, and he's funding this lil weekend tour, should hold more weight than the fact that cosmetology school is your best bet.
But I know that's not the case; I'm certain that each of you comes from a broader background than that.
I don't like to use the question much, myself. But when you are an unknown band...as in I ask anyone booking shows in the area you hail from, and they say "who?" Asking about your draw answers 2 big questions:
1)someone(s) actually think(s) you're worth the time/effort
2)there is the possibility of return on investment.
I understand if you're from an hour away, and you may not bring people all the way here...but if you tell me that you pack the neighborhood bar, or can get 100 kids into your local concert hall...maybe my locals will dig you, too. You've got a Pissah live show, brah...
I would much rather have 10 people in the room, enjoying the show, than 30prepaid tickets, and no one in the room. That's just me, that's just how our venue runs. I'm quite sure you can do much, much better with yours.
But I get it...you're a lil cranky, and you need a decent strawman to quip to death.
this is the saddest, saddest gripe I've heard in a quite awhile.
And I've seen it pop up more and more on the interwebz.
I'd advise any band that cannot come to grips with a promoter's, or venue's query,
to rent your own hall, or simply PAY-TO-PLAY.
And I don't mean your mincing "they want me to advance tickets", I mean 1980s NYC/LA showcase-style $250 for 25 minutes in front of industry-types.
When I read the snarky lil witticisms you spew, I imagine weak-knee'd suburban brahs who believe that; because their dad's a lawyer, and he's funding this lil weekend tour, should hold more weight than the fact that cosmetology school is your best bet.
But I know that's not the case; I'm certain that each of you comes from a broader background than that.
I don't like to use the question much, myself. But when you are an unknown band...as in I ask anyone booking shows in the area you hail from, and they say "who?" Asking about your draw answers 2 big questions:
1)someone(s) actually think(s) you're worth the time/effort
2)there is the possibility of return on investment.
I understand if you're from an hour away, and you may not bring people all the way here...but if you tell me that you pack the neighborhood bar, or can get 100 kids into your local concert hall...maybe my locals will dig you, too. You've got a Pissah live show, brah...
I would much rather have 10 people in the room, enjoying the show, than 30prepaid tickets, and no one in the room. That's just me, that's just how our venue runs. I'm quite sure you can do much, much better with yours.
But I get it...you're a lil cranky, and you need a decent strawman to quip to death.
We played a small blues club Friday Night, the place is small but nice and we really like the owner and how she supports live music.
They have a built in crowd. I saw a little over 10 of our people to ad to the regulars. Not great, but not bad, for this type of venue I'd say our turn out was respectable.
Blue
They have a built in crowd. I saw a little over 10 of our people to ad to the regulars. Not great, but not bad, for this type of venue I'd say our turn out was respectable.
Blue
I did have one instance where we played and didn't bring in as many as we, or the venue, were hoping to.
However I was told after the gig that those we did bring in drank a "prolific" amount of alcohol when they were there and we could come back on a Friday night rather than the Wednesday which we'd played.
Sometimes the fans just rise to the occasion.
Stay thirsty my friends....
However I was told after the gig that those we did bring in drank a "prolific" amount of alcohol when they were there and we could come back on a Friday night rather than the Wednesday which we'd played.
Sometimes the fans just rise to the occasion.
Stay thirsty my friends....
Hmmmm......
Makes me think of a place we used to play in Falls Church. Like you said, we had two good nights there, then a couple that were less so, and then we didn't want to go back.
Shame too, as he had PA, club drum kit and bass rig, and a sound man that was decent. It was an easy gig (without PA/soundman, it all falls to me).
I got specific complaints from friends that the drinks cost too much, were watered down and the food sucked. And he hit them with $5 cover on their tab.
He went out of business a year or so ago. Shocker!
jive1
Commercial User
If it's the place I'm thinking of, I've played there for 3 different owners. Even if they got a clue, there's not enough foot traffic in that area and parking is too limited for that place to ever really make a go of it. I'm not surprised the place went under.
Some of my bandmates liked playing there. Me, I didn't care for the place.
"The Arsonaut" from somewhere in New England.. book a lot of Great White shows in the day?
why, I can get you front row tickets, kind sir...because that's the kind of joke that never gets old...
As an answer to the OPs question, I have never been asked this question. I was the BL in an all original R&R band for 8+ years, played quite a few gigs, not a ton, but quite a few. Never once was asked how many people we would bring. I realize my area is not exactly the 'Mecca' for original music, at least when that band was in existence, and not even currently for that matter. The band I am currently in plays a wide variety of venues, and have never had any problems with not getting paid, and also has never been asked this question. I would be at a total loss as to how to answer TBH.
On another note, (Bb perhaps
) I have noticed quite a few posts in this thread that seem to be in direct violation of Rule #1 of this forum, the one that says you should 'Respect fellow members'. there seems to be a few members that think they can take personal shots at another member, simply because they don't like what he says/think he is inexperienced/whatever. I have noticed this in other threads, aimed at the same person, and I for one, am pretty tired of listening to you guys slam him. If you don't have anything worth adding to the thread, and all you are doing is flaming another member, please keep it to yourself. You may have more experience, but if what you are saying in the thread doesn't have anything to do with the OP, why are you posting?
Just my 2 cents worth...
On another note, (Bb perhaps
) I have noticed quite a few posts in this thread that seem to be in direct violation of Rule #1 of this forum, the one that says you should 'Respect fellow members'. there seems to be a few members that think they can take personal shots at another member, simply because they don't like what he says/think he is inexperienced/whatever. I have noticed this in other threads, aimed at the same person, and I for one, am pretty tired of listening to you guys slam him. If you don't have anything worth adding to the thread, and all you are doing is flaming another member, please keep it to yourself. You may have more experience, but if what you are saying in the thread doesn't have anything to do with the OP, why are you posting?Just my 2 cents worth...
