The gig or the band?

[Pocket Dave]

If your band cannot handle a substitution event, it is usually indicative of a much larger problem.

I dunno - There are some bands, especially hobby bands, that just don't sub out; They'd rather cancel than sub.

It's all about context and goals.

OTOH, they may lose a venue if they make a habit out of cancelling, or cancel without enough notice.

Though more pro-bands gain and lose venues all the time - for lots of other reasons.

 

[bigboy_78]

I'd do Sunday with my band.

 

[DWBass]

Are you missing anything using the sub? If not, take the Friday gig. If the sub is 'sub par', take the Sunday gig.

 

[LowendG]

Good weather for an arts fare may well be a bigger more eclectic audience sunday afternoon, and headliner might only mean last on...not necessarily anything more tangible.

Yep---not rare to be the headliner and be playing while the chairs are being stacked on the tables!

 

[fhm555]

…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?

I define a fun gig as the band hitting on all cylinders, when the crowd is in to it as much as we are and the music is powerful enough to levitate everyone; one of those “you had to be there” situations.
given that, I’d choose the slot that gave us the best shot at defying gravity, which would be with the lineup that is most familiar with the material, and each other. That said, if you can secure a sub with a syrup bucket full of balls and the chops to back that up, maybe the sub option would be preferable, but given your stated goal(s), unless you can bring in King Kong on lead, I’d take the option that put the regular lineup on stage.

 

[wysiwyg248]

Give me a gig!

 

[Geogio]

I enjoy fests, outdoor receptions etc... either would work and both have disavantages. Late loadouts kind of suck though...

 

[dcr]

I think it highly depends on the sub. We frequently use a sub drummer who is actually better than our regular drummer. He and I lock in great, compliment each other's playing, and generally work well together. Have used him as a sub in a couple other bands as well. I would have ZERO issues with him walking in on ANY gig, knowing he was gonna kill it at the first downbeat. Same with a guitarist I work with -- he's a super player, been around forever, knows what to do and when. Both are consummate professionals. I'd trust either of them on any gig, any time.

If your sub knows you guys' material and you trust him to do a decent job, then take the best gig. Respect your guitarist's position so that he can respect yours, do the gig, and try to move on with no hard feelings. If he wants to be a little b***h about it, well, that's unprofessional and all on him.

dcr

 

[2112]

All depends on why you gig. Is it a hobby? Then take care of your guitarist! Is it a pro project? Then go get that sub!

Only you can decide.

 

[4StringDave]

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 agree. I prefer playing earlier when the majority of the crowd is still there (unless the crowd is there specifically to see my band) and while energy levels are still high. Then, after the gig, I can kick back and watch the remaining acts.

 

[51PRI]

All depends on why you gig. Is it a hobby? Then take care of your guitarist! Is it a pro project? Then go get that sub!

Only you can decide.

And they did decide...back in post #39.

 

[Wyrdlow]

IME, bands have one of two basic structures:

1. Play out as much as possible, make as much $$ as possible. Gigs and $$ are first priority, The Hang is second. Nothing personal, but the band is gonna book as many gigs as possible and will pull in subs if/when needed.
2. The Hang is first priority; play out as schedules permit, not worry too much about $$, realize everyone has families/work/life commitments that come first. Subs are a last resort.

It sounds like your band is in the 2nd camp. If so, I'd take the Sunday spot so your guitar player can play.

I am SO in the second one. And I have a far better time and enjoy music way more than the years I was in the first!

 

[2112]

And they did decide...back in post #39.

Bully for them. My opinion still stands.

 

[richntiff]

How many more pages are we going for before everyone realizes the OP solved the problem on page 2?

 

[4StringDave]

How many more pages are we going for before everyone realizes the OP solved the problem on page 2?

Stop being so sensible....

 

[KenSmithFan]

How many more pages are we going for before everyone realizes the OP solved the problem on page 2?

I think a bunch of us took his question, “What would you do?” as asking what would WE do, not what should HE do. When you look at it like that, instead of as him looking for advice, then it’s really irrelevant that the situation is resolved.

 

[USAJO]

I think a bunch of us took his question, “What would you do?” as asking what would WE do, not what should HE do. When you look at it like that, instead of as him looking for advice, then it’s really irrelevant that the situation is resolved.

That is exactly how it was asked. What would you do, NOT what should I do.

So stop with the “he already” already. lol

 

[gln1955]

That is exactly how it was asked. What would you do, NOT what should I do.

So stop with the “he already” already. lol

Besides, the circumstances ended up dictating that they play on Friday, so what they should have done is still debatable.

 

[newwavefrank]

How many more pages are we going for before everyone realizes the OP solved the problem on page 2?

A forum like this isn't always about solving a problem. It's more about sharing ideas. The fact that his situation resolved itself doesn't really make the exchange any less meaningful for the rest of us.

 

[richntiff]

I think a bunch of us took his question, “What would you do?” as asking what would WE do, not what should HE do. When you look at it like that, instead of as him looking for advice, then it’s really irrelevant that the situation is resolved.

I agree - I just find it amusing....