Tea Totaller Gigs..

[ZenG]

Excluding Praise & Worship settings, have you ever played a ' no alcohol served' gig?

If so, did it differ from, say, a bar gig where half the people are inebriated?

If yes:- How did it differ?

 

[BrotherEarl]

I've played a few over the years.

It's hard to generalize them. I generally find the crowds are a little more subdued. It's harder work getting them up there to dance and keeping them there, but they tend to be more effective at being able to make requests that aren't ridiculous and reading them is a little easier.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've done church carnivals, and some private events. Good crowd.

 

[seanm]

Never played a no alcohol gig, what would the band do?

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Less looting and pillaging.

 

[Blueinred]

We play several Alcoholics Anonymous festivals every year. Crowds are a little more subdued but very supportive if you nail the tunes/show. Never any problems with rowdy bubbleheads, which is nice. We enjoy em' and they seem to like us.

 

[devnulljp]

Never played a no alcohol gig, what would the band do?

We brought our own

 

[Spectrum]

We play several Alcoholics Anonymous festivals every year. Crowds are a little more subdued but very supportive if you nail the tunes/show. Never any problems with rowdy bubbleheads, which is nice. We enjoy em' and they seem to like us.

I'm guessing George Thorogood covers are frowned upon for those gigs...

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Come to think of it, we played a charity event at a high school for a mixed-age audience last year. It was in a grade school auditorium. People sat, listened, and clapped. Little kids got up and danced. Nothing too surprising.

 

[JRA]

i've played plenty of them over the years (some weddings are 'dry', a few corporate events have been, a reception for a POTUS was sans ethanol, events on some government properties, etc.).

it was a drag for the band (mostly me and the drummer!), but not unlike other gigs, really. i want to say that those sober crowds behaved and left early (probably to go and get a drink!).

 

[Gluvhand]

I'm guessing George Thorogood covers are frowned upon for those gigs...

No more than usual.

 

[bassbully]

Excluding Praise & Worship settings, have you ever played a ' no alcohol served' gig?

For gosh sakes why the hell would anyone ever do that?

 

[buldog5151bass]

For gosh sakes why the hell would anyone ever do that?

A gig is a gig (I generally do not drink alcohol on gigs anyway). If they want to pay me my required fee to play music, I'm there. I don't ask. Churches, corporate gigs, municipal gigs, etc. can be dry gigs.

 

[RustyAxe]

Excluding Praise & Worship settings, have you ever played a ' no alcohol served' gig?

If so, did it differ from, say, a bar gig where half the people are inebriated?

If yes:- How did it differ?

Yes I have. Concerts, and even a few private events. The difference? People sat down, shut up, and listened. Refreshing.

 

[bassbully]

A gig is a gig (I generally do not drink alcohol on gigs anyway). If they want to pay me my required fee to play music, I'm there. I don't ask. Churches, corporate gigs, municipal gigs, etc. can be dry gigs.

Cool I could always bring my flask..

 

[Richland123]

I play for many no alcohol gigs every year. Lots of festivals, car shows, dinner shows, and other shows and the crowds are great!

 

[dtripoli]

Teetotaler gigs?
Lots. Never gave it much thought. Festivals, carnivals, coffee house regularly.
Now that is not to say the audience were all teetotalers but that the venues did not serve alcohol.
Many years ago we did do a 12-step group picnic/BBQ at a local park.
Our drummer, who secured the gig, neglected to inform us the nature of the party.
We did our normal sets which referenced drugs, alcohol and general depravity and we were damn near got run out of town on a rail with the villagers chasing us with pitchforks and torches.
Live and learn.

 

[primusfan1989]

It depends on the context, like if I'm doing a Singer songwriter gig, I prefer to play to a sober room. If I'm playing with a party band, it helps if the crowd has a buzz. I have to say nothing is more awkward than trying to get a room full of people who don't party to try to party lol

 

[elgecko]

I did a LDS singles group party for NYE once. I was cracking up as the drummer and I snuck out to drink soda and smoke cigarettes!

About half my gigs are "dry". It's actually nice not being around drunks.

 

[bassliner50]

Play for seniors all the time. Walkers, canes, personal assistants, wheel chairs, people fall from old age not booze. Some actually awake, appreciative and talkative. 1 hour/$100 each for the trio. Hot chicks in theirs 80's and beyond hopped up on decaff coffee and their heart meds. Small light gear. Gershwin and Rodgers & Hart preferred over rap and metal. In 20 years or so, I will be part of the audience. Wouldn't wanna do an exclusive diet of this though.