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Stage vs Floor

Spent

Spent

May 15, 2011
2,164
2,982
Upstate NY
waywardminds.band
#1
I play in a fairly active weekend warrior type cover band; singer, guitar, bass, keys and drummer. We play 3-4 times a month at a variety of venues, from big stages to the cramped corner of the bar. I've come to the realization that I much prefer to be floor level. The singer, guitarist and I spend as much time in the crowd as we do in the stage area, the freedom of wireless. It seems to be working as every new venue we've played this year has offered us additional dates. One owner even came up to us after the third song to ask us back. We are currently booked through November. This is not the best band I've been in, but it is the first time I've been in a band that doesn't stick to the stage area, we see ourselves as entertainers who are there to play music, not songs.; we know we're not going to "make it." Does anyone else prefer the floor to the stage?
 
#3
Hi,

I like stages, tall stages. It keeps dancers, drunks, and drunk dancers from either plowing into our gear or commandeering a microphone to sing along with the band. Sure, I've played on the floor a lot, but it's not my favorite. I can entertain from the stage just fine, don't need to get out in the crowd. Sometimes getting out in the crowd works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the venue, the occasion, the band, etc. Though I am glad to hear that you are "putting on the show". Keep it up. Break a leg!

I had a lady once trip and fall over my wedge monitor. She wrecked her knee and had to have surgery. Luckily she did not hold the band responsible.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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#4
BassCliff said:
I like stages, tall stages. It keeps dancers, drunks, and drunk dancers from either plowing into our gear or commandeering a microphone to sing along with the band.
Click to expand...
Valid points. I did have one drunk "tune" my bass once. We've turned a mic around and invited people to give it a try on occasion, always works out. We do a journey tune and sometimes the signer doesn't think he's going to do it well (hudson valley NY, allergy central) and recently a young lady stepped up and nailed it. I suspect this is one reason club owners like us. We keep the crowed in the club.
 
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#7
I prefer stages too. Something about the psychology of a stage just makes the crowd immediately more receptive to the band. Playing on the floor destroys some of the illusion, where a stage and lights trigger the "I am at a concert" reflexes in the audience.

Plus drunks on stage is drag. "Hey play 'Wagon Wheel'!!!"
 
#8
HolmeBass said:
I prefer stages too. Something about the psychology of a stage just makes the crowd immediately more receptive to the band. Playing on the floor destroys some of the illusion, where a stage and lights trigger the "I am at a concert" reflexes in the audience.

Plus drunks on stage is drag. "Hey play 'Wagon Wheel'!!!"
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on the genre of music. That picture above is pretty typical of our audience. We play a lot of dance music that appeals to the 20-30 age group. Our audience is generally young (a number of colleges in the area), attractive (a lot of dressed to kill going on) and ready to party (again, colleges). I almost didn't join the band when I saw the set list, but after the second gig, where that picture was taken, I was hooked.
 
#9
I like getting in the crowd sometimes, but I prefer a stage for one simple reason...sightlines. You can't see the band if they're on the floor and people aren't all sitting down, and who wants to sit down when there's a good band playing dance music? But if it's working for you, keep doing it till it's not.
 
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#12
BassCliff said:
Hi,

I like stages, tall stages. It keeps dancers, drunks, and drunk dancers from either plowing into our gear or commandeering a microphone to sing along with the band. Sure, I've played on the floor a lot, but it's not my favorite. I can entertain from the stage just fine, don't need to get out in the crowd. Sometimes getting out in the crowd works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the venue, the occasion, the band, etc.

BassCliff
Click to expand...

This
 
#13
Though I do prefer stages, I was pretty amused to see this concert video at the Estonian Rock Summer festival last year. The great Estonian band Winny Puhh had a big stage they could have used, but elected to set up in the middle of the crowd. It was pretty cool and added an element of spontaniety to the stage show. Tried to link to it, but ETV must have taken it down.
 
#14
I have played both - and enjoyed both. Floor is great till the crowd gets out of control. My least favorite experiences include drunk chicks smacking or falling into your mic stand and chipping your front teeth with the Mic whilst singing, or not singing and the mesh on the front of the mic leaves a perfect imprint on the face of your bass. Honourable mentions go to chicks (sometimes guys) falling ass first over your wedge onto your pedal board and turning everything on at once, or unplugging leads, or doing both at once.

These sorts of gigs were the reason I went to Rack based rigs and effects - many years later I am just starting to use a pedal board again!
 
#20
Nope, not me. As I see it, the stage exists for a reason. I like to take advantage of it. I like the increased visibility - and the enhanced audio spread that the extra height affords.

That, plus I don't see the necessity of physically mixing with the audience in order to play well, and put on a good show.

MM
 

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