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Making The Best 4 Hour Bar Gig

#61
This has already been mentioned but worth bringing up again.

Chose the bars your going to play carefully and strategically. There are some bars that will never be fun or even tolerable to play.

For example;

  • If the bar is too small for your band to fit in you might want to pass on playing that bar, especially if scaling back on gear is not an option.

  • If you know the clientele is not into your bands genre.

Blue
 
#62
A lot of good ideas already said here. The one that has made all the difference for me and made these week-long stretches of work two or three times per month has been to get a decent cart that allows me to haul all my stuff in one trip. For me, most everything between load-in and load-out is enjoyable. But to be able to get in and out as smoothly and routinely as possible has made it all much more enjoyable to me.
 
#63
bluewine said:
This has already been mentioned but worth bringing up again.

Chose the bars your going to play carefully and strategically. There are some bars that will never be fun or even tolerable to play.

For example;

  • If the bar is too small for your band to fit in you might want to pass on playing that bar, especially if scaling back on gear is not an option.

  • If you know the clientele is not into your bands genre.

Blue
Click to expand...

Blue, did you start getting involved in booking your band?
 
#64
guy n. cognito said:
If you're goal is a low level bar band, then I would totally agree. If you're inflexible on this, then you're probably better suited for sub work. I'd also add that most successful touring acts have probably had a few rehearsals before hitting the road, so you'd better cross those guys off your list...... ;)
Click to expand...

Hi Guy,

I would bet nobody's goal is "low level bar band".

It might be different in Nashville.

Personally, I know and admire how several local bar bands handle the 4 hour bar gig.

I don't know of and have not seen any "low level bar bands".

Peace

Blue
 
#66
If you have a regular roster of venues,
it's often helpful to program pre-sets/settings etc, and assign them the venue name.
Saves a lot of tweaking. (assuming you have programmable gear)

What gets REAL tricky is multiple shows on the weekends,
especially if it's with different bands.
I like to keep some extra stage clothes and shoes in my truck.
 
#67
QweziRider said:
A lot of good ideas already said here. The one that has made all the difference for me and made these week-long stretches of work two or three times per month has been to get a decent cart that allows me to haul all my stuff in one trip. For me, most everything between load-in and load-out is enjoyable. But to be able to get in and out as smoothly and routinely as possible has made it all much more enjoyable to me.
Click to expand...

I agree, load in and out, easy access to the stage and parking is huge when it comes to making the 4 hour bar gig more tolerable.

blue
 
#69
bluewine said:
Hi Guy,

I would bet nobody's goal is "low level bar band".

It might be different in Nashville.

Personally, I know and admire how several local bar bands handle the 4 hour bar gig.

I don't know of and have not seen any "low level bar bands".

Peace

Blue
Click to expand...

You'd be surprised. I know a number of musicians that prefer playing dive bars for little money over higher paying gigs to a more demanding audience. Again, people have many different reasons for playing music.
 
#70
guy n. cognito said:
You'd be surprised. I know a number of musicians that prefer playing dive bars for little money over higher paying gigs to a more demanding audience. Again, people have many different reasons for playing music.
Click to expand...

I'm confused, when you say "low level bar band" do you mean "low level band" or "low level bar"?

If you mean "low level bars" or "dive bars", these are the type of venues I recommend avoiding in order to make the best of the 4 hour bar gig.

Fortunately there are plenty or well managed nice bars/clubs for bands to play 4 hour gigs in the Milwaukee area. I can't speak for all regions.

Blue
 
#72
jimc said:
The other side of the 'keeping the dance floor busy' coin is that we once had a bar complain afterwards that people were so busy dancing they weren't buying drinks. You just can't win sometimes.

The other plus of keeping the dance floor busy is that girls usually love to dance, if you keep them dancing they'll come to more of your shows. If the girls are coming to your shows, the guys are gonna be there as well.
Click to expand...

+1, and bar bands that know how to work the "bar goes" get the better paying gigs too (bar owner notice and remember). Dance them hard for 3-4 songs, then breath or "pause for the cause" and get everyone in the house to toast one together simultaneously, etc. $$$ ;) But not to derail Blue's thread - that’s probably best kept for another thread.
 
#73
Joe Louvar said:
+1, and bar bands that know how to work the "bar goes" get the better paying gigs too (bar owner notice and remember). Dance them hard for 3-4 songs, then breath or "pause for the cause" and get everyone in the house to toast one together simultaneously, etc. $$$ ;) But not to derail Blue's thread - that’s probably best kept for another thread.
Click to expand...

The bar "toast" seems to bring the room together, our BL calls toasts several times throughout the evening.

Blue
 
#76
Not many guys have mentioned dancers. When my last band was active,we played dance halls. The idea of playing a four hour gig and not having people up and dancing is a bleak prospect. In fact, if we tried a new song on a job and the audience didn't get up and dance to it, it never got played again.

Varying the 4-45" sets is important, too; we always started with something ballady to get them on their feet for some buckle polishing, then we cranked tempos up over the course of the evening until they were stomping to the rockers by the end of the night.

The combination of good dynamics, an extroverted front man and competent band mates makes it fun every night. Not having impaired people in the band is a big element, too.:D

I see local bands (especially some of the younger guys) and they dress like bag people, can't play a danceable beat and the singer mumbles the lyrics. They don't get it. As Randy Newman, that ain't no way to have fun.:rollno:
 
#77
The key to making the most of it is to appreciate the bar gig for what it is: providing entertainment at a venue that makes it's profit from selling alcohol.

- Have fun. You can't sell what you don't have, and as a bar band you are there to sell fun. If you're not enjoying the music or the gig, it will show. Find out a way to have fun and invite the audience to have fun with you. In the end, your success in the bar scene depends on it. Often being a fun band can get you farther than being a tight band, although it certainly helps to be both.

- Loosen up. You're at a bar. You're there to sell alcohol. Nothing wrong with having a drink on stage, as it helps to sell a product. Bar owners love it when you call a social, and some folks enjoy buying a round of shots for the band. Remember, it's alcohol that keeps the bar register ringing after 9 PM. Don't diss on the main product you are selling, and the people you are selling to.

- Look at the positive. Sometimes the annoying things at a bar gig are signs that you are doing well. A crowd of drunks? It means you are selling. A nightmare is a crowd where no-one is drinking, which means you still have the work and overhead with no profit. People talking to you while you are tearing down? It means people stayed to the very end and still can't get enough. Nobody at the bar? Great time to try out new material and make it live rehearsal.
 
#80
jive1 said:
The key to making the most of it is to appreciate the bar gig for what it is: providing entertainment at a venue that makes it's profit from selling alcohol.

- Have fun. You can't sell what you don't have, and as a bar band you are there to sell fun. If you're not enjoying the music or the gig, it will show. Find out a way to have fun and invite the audience to have fun with you. In the end, your success in the bar scene depends on it. Often being a fun band can get you farther than being a tight band, although it certainly helps to be both.

- Loosen up. You're at a bar. You're there to sell alcohol. Nothing wrong with having a drink on stage, as it helps to sell a product. Bar owners love it when you call a social, and some folks enjoy buying a round of shots for the band. Remember, it's alcohol that keeps the bar register ringing after 9 PM. Don't diss on the main product you are selling, and the people you are selling to.

- Look at the positive. Sometimes the annoying things at a bar gig are signs that you are doing well. A crowd of drunks? It means you are selling. A nightmare is a crowd where no-one is drinking, which means you still have the work and overhead with no profit. People talking to you while you are tearing down? It means people stayed to the very end and still can't get enough. Nobody at the bar? Great time to try out new material and make it live rehearsal.
Click to expand...

yes..yes and yes.


seemed strange to mention "tolerating" something that is enjoyable.
I still love the playing out..and all the stuff that comes with it.
AND..there are some good points mentioned about making the gig in general just a tad easier. (im reluctant to say tolerable..as its pure rockstar enjoyment as far as I care.)

ymmv...of course.
;)
 

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