The gig or the band?

[micguy]

I'm gonna get some heat for saying this but if people want to be a serious musician they have to make the band/shows a priority. I don't know what your guitarist has going on but he shouldn't be trying to hold you guys back

If the band is your only source of income, you're a bunch of 20 somethings, and your sole focus is to make it as rockstars, then yes.

If you all have day jobs, and this is your passion outlet, I would respectfully disagree. Trying to enforce that kind of "ethic" on a band where people have careers (and families) outside of music will only get you a revolving door of musicians in and out of the band - it'll be very counterproductive to becoming a good band.

 

[micguy]

What I would ask, and what I AM asking, is why is your guitarist not available for a Friday night gig?

Stated a few posts back - he's on vacation with his family.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

I would take Friday. But it's true I've had issues with people not wanting to be subbed and insisting in not taking certain gigs, and it never ended well.

Any mature person should be prepared to accept nobody is irreplaceable (even if they don't like it) and that gig seems like a good/fun opportunity.

But if you want peace in the band...

I don't like to be subbed. At all. But I'll never ask a band not to take a good gig just because I cannot play it.

 

[Old Blastard]

I'd go with Sunday to present the whole band and have a good "hang" experience. On the other hand, if my band wanted to go on to get more money or prestige or whatever, I'd have no problems being subbed for. I'm too old to have my feelings hurt by anything other than a Facebook meme.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'd take the Sunday gig, keeping the band together.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'm too old to have my feelings hurt by anything other than a Facebook meme.

Noted.

 

[Medicine Man]

Normally I'd say the gig.

But I'm a mercenary.

Of the 115 gigs I played last year, the lion's share were with my main band.

I've had 2 schedule conflicts with them in the past two years. In both cases no one had to think twice about getting a sub.

OTOH, the fact that you have a choice of festival slots muddies the water.

Not knowing your guitarist's reason for being unavailable - not that it matters if he already blacked out the date - or how big a deal the headline slot actually is, etc, it's hard to say.

Also, are there issues with your guitarist beyond this one date? Could this be an opportunity to audition the sub?

Can you get a sub?

Or do your guitarist's values outweigh any issues he might have? Would taking the headline slot and subbing out his position be likely to cause otherwise avoidable resentments?

Also keep in mind that headline slot may end up being not all it's cranked up to be:

I've done a lot of festivals over the past 45-50 years, some headlining, some opening, some in between somewhere.

We put in our request for a headline slot for one in 1990 where a lot of local DFW heavy hitters were billed. Despite a strong value-prop - we were the only rock & motown party dance band on the bill at a festival that promised a spirited, dancing crowd, we were given the #2, early afternoon slot initially, with the headline slot being offered to the 2-time Grammy winning Brave Combo.

Brave Combo then requested our slot since they had an out-of-state gig that night, so we were shuffled to the #3, mid-afternoon slot.

Ours turned out to be the best slot of the festival. We followed Brave Combo, who had everyone on their feet their whole set, and we were able to dove-tail our set into their energy.

Since I was a huge fan of the festival's second-choice headline band, I stuck around. By the time they took the stage, most of the crowd had tapped out. Sometimes "headlining" just means sticking around to lock the doors.

Also, a good rule of thumb with festivals is to accept that they often don't go the way you think they will.

I actually prefer #2 and #3 slots over the headlining slot for those type of local festivals. Seems like the crowd is the slimmest for the first and last slots quite often. Plus you can relax for the following acts with a couple drinks or whatever.

 

[gln1955]

Every time my band has used a sub we've performed below par, IMO. If doesn't matter how good of a player the sub is, it's not us and nowhere near as tight.

The guitarist has a legit reason not to be there and really the crowd and vibe when you play at something like this is crapshoot. Looking back in a few months, it won't matter at all.

 

[portpc]

The band by all means - Especially as the fellow is already part of your team and knows what is expected of him. Your guitarist is expressing his ego by putting himself first.
Active competent acts use subs -it's part of the business.

 

[Chris_will_do]

The rule in our band is to play in the original setting. Unless the absent member suggests to play without him. If there is an option of playing in the original setting next to the option of playing with a sub, we'd go with the original bandsetting.

 

[JRA]

What’s more important to you …the gig or the band?

my main band works in such a way that we'd want the best position on the marquee and/or the most money. our music is charted, so subs aren't that big of a deal, especially if we have time for a rehearsal.

i know it can work differently for others, but i'd be hesitant to pass on real opportunities. however, i also consider supporting the esprit de corp a top priority. these days: i'd probably choose "the band."

 

[51PRI]

Stated a few posts back - he's on vacation with his family.

Sorry...I missed that. The vacation was already planned? In that case I would take the Sunday gig.

 

[Thady]

apb T.

 

[Minimalist]

My band has been offered a slot at a local art fair. We can either take the Friday night headliner slot, but we would need a sub for our guitarist — or — we can take the Sunday afternoon slot with our normal lineup. Everybody agrees the Friday slot is more desirable (high-profile, late nite party vibe, & cooler weather). The guitarist is not jumping at the chance to take one for the team and sit out since we have the Sunday option.

FWIW, I’m not crazy about acting like any one of us is expendable for the sake of a gig. Then again, maybe the guitarist is putting himself above the interests of the band? We have plenty of shows on the calendar, and our primary motivation is to play fun gigs for good crowds. Money is not an issue for us.

What’s more important to you …the gig or the band?

Do you play for money and seriously want/need more exposure, take the Friday night gig if you can find a good sub.

Do you play with friends and the additional exposure would be nice but is not THAT important, play on Sunday.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Yes, the sub is also our sound man. He’s available and has performed with us several times. He is a solid player, so no issues there...

I was on the fence about the original question, until you posted this ^

This seems more like a friend filling in, as opposed to some random hired gun. I would have felt insulted if it was some rando, but given that it's a dedicated sound guy, that would make him a part of the band, IMHO. Some folks may feel differently about the role of sound engineer, but to me it's every bit as important as a fellow musician for live stuff.

At the end of the day, it's up to the band as far as goals and what this gig really means to you guys in the long run. If you're looking for exposure and perhaps a "break", take the best gigs you can. If this is for fun and just a passion project thing, I'd say take the Sunday gig and avoid the possible drama.

Do you guys have a particular rule set for what qualifies as "Family priority" events? I mean, vacation booked weeks before is one thing..."We're having a barbecue with the neighbors" is another thing entirely.

 

[richntiff]

if the tables were turned, would you want the band to pick you, or the gig?

 

[swagbotbilly]

Personally not in it for the $, so gigging with the boys is more important to me than just gigging.

 

[Z-Bass]

Many factors to consider for sure. Personalities and feelings aside, playing with a sub has it's downsides as well. So would you rather play the better perceived time slot with a sub and perhaps be limited and not be as tight sounding or play the Sunday time slot with the main lineup and be at your best. And I'm making general assumptions here, maybe having a sub doesn't impact anything from your band's standpoint. I know when I can't make a gig, the other guitar player (formally the bassist) will play bass. Do I love it? Not necessarily but I understand.

Someone else referenced the unpredictability of festivals and I would agree. Sometimes the best slot isn't what you think it would be but that's so hard to gauge.

 

[Bullitt5135]

Well, the situation has resolved itself and we'll be taking the Friday slot after all.

After following up with the client for additional information, it became apparent that they are ONLY looking for book a full band for Friday night, not Sunday. Their initial email was a little misleading. I could have avoided a lot of unnecessary drama had I gotten all of the facts before presenting the opportunity to the band. Lesson learned.

Our band is a democracy for the most part. Yeah, I know...not ideal, but it is what it is. I'm the prime mover of the band and handle a lot of the contacts, booking, marketing, and logistics. This is a hobby band, and we are all good friends with relatively little drama. I try to keep it that way by not forcing my opinion or ego on anyone else – which is why I simply forwarded the client's initial email to the band for their input.

 

[Bullitt5135]

So would you rather play the better perceived time slot with a sub and perhaps be limited and not be as tight sounding or play the Sunday time slot with the main lineup and be at your best.

In our case, our sub is a very seasoned musician and performer, and knows our setlist inside and out. Which begs the question, "so why isn't he in the band instead?" The answer to that question will probably require another long-winded Band Management thread at some point.