Lead singer wants my amp behind drummer?

[Kanekutter05]

Hey all, pre-apologies if this is common practice...but my band has our 1st show together on Friday. We were discussing how we will set up on stage and our lead singer tells me that he wants my bass amp completely behind the drummer. At 1st I didn’t pay that much attention to the statement, but then I started thinking about every show I’ve ever been to and how I’ve literally never seen the bass amp directly behind the drummer.

I will see him before the show so I’ll ask him why, but is there any reason whatsoever to put my bass amp directly behind the drummer? We have the lead singer (also plays rhythm guitar), lead guitar, keys, drummer and myself.

Any insight on that would be awesome, thanks in advance!

 

[Fun Size Nick]

If you have space to put an amp behind the drummer, then you’ve got more space than most stages I’ve played on!

 

[dreamadream99]

Only reason I can think of is to make sure the drummer can hear you. But that may impact your ability to hear yourself. It will definitely impair your ability to make any adjustments on the amp.

On stage, that’s what monitors are for. Perhaps they are worried about getting a decent drum monitor mix. If that’s the case, it makes more sense to have 2 cabinets, and turn one of them to point at him. Or, with a long enough cord, run one over behind him.

 

[BigBobbyBass]

I've been playing bass for a long time and I don't think I've ever seen that done.

 

[MyTomomi]

He probably wants to hear his rhythm guitar more.

I was the rhythm guitarist on my first two band. Most of the time, I can't hear my sound in the mix.

 

[Oddly]

What does the drummer think?
In 35 or so years of gigging, doing sound, and attending shows I've never seen this.
As @dreamadream99 says, what if you need to get to your amp to adjust?

 

[Grumry]

He hates you.

 

[Stumbo]

Does the drummer have trouble hearing you?

I think your LS believes the drummer and you, thus the band, will be tighter.

What will be the mix in the monitors?

Will the drummer have his own monitor?

I've been playing since the 60's. Never seen it done that way. Close to the drummer, yes, never behind.

 

[two fingers]

I have attended quite a few shows....and played a TON of shows. I have never.....

1).....set up a stage in a way that there were several feet of space behind the drummer. Usually the drummer is pretty backed up to the rear edge of the stage.

2) .......seen a bass rig behind a drummer. Ever. Tell your singer (in a nice way) to shut up and sing and let the grownups work out the stage plot.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

What does the drummer think?

I'm betting he (or she) hates the idea.

 

[pacojas]

bollocks

 

[RattleSnack]

Maybe that is his ignorant way of saying "I want to hear more drums, less bass guitar". Talk to him about your mix. He could be wrong, or he could be right - in a way that you are too loud or overplaying.

 

[Wesley R]

I always preferred that our stage set up was the same every time and that the positions were the same at practice.I am old enough to have seen a bunch of shows and performed at a bunch. I have never seen the bass amp directly behind the the drummer. Could the LS mean the drummer should be in front of the backline?

 

[Wisebass]

That' s a singer's way to get rid of the drummer!!!

kinda weird!!!

Wise(b)ass

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

It's always good to be sure the drummer hears you,
but it's also important for him to hear himself.
Ner, but not behind should be plenty close enough.

 

[lbbc]

Never seen that, and I wouldn't set up that way for the reasons already mentioned (can't hear yourself or able to make amp adjustments)

 

[Stumbo]

A deaf drummer? That's not good for anyone. Maybe the LS thinks the drummer will play quieter if he can hear you better?

Tell the LS, thanks but no thanks. Is the LS the BL?

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've played well over 2000 shows. I've seen probably just about as many. If ya count shows and performances I've seen on TV and YouTube, fuggettaboutit!

Never seen a bass amp behind the drummer.

Maybe your singer wants to do things differently, and be a first?

I'd tell him you want his vocal monitor behind the drummer, too.

 

[spaz21387]

Get an svt cl and 8x10 crank it to 10... the drummer will want your amp moved and no one could hear anything but bass...

 

[Smoove-Groove]

Sounds kinda stupid. Ask your singer to thoroughly explain why.