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Who helps set up and break down?

#41
we pitch in equally on the PA load in, set up, and load out but of course we set up our individual rig individually. There were some nights when our singer acted like he couldn't figure out the difference between a 1/4" and a Speakon connector, just to get out of helping set up, but after enough verbal beatings we straightened him out.
 
#42
I was only in one band that included a vocalist. Dude never lifted a finger.

Recently, horn and string players are the culprits, carrying in/out only their instrument and relying on anyone else to set-up their mic & PA level in the absence of a venue-employed engineer.
 
#44
In a word - everyone. Everyone helps everyone else. Carrying, setting up, whoever needs a hand should get it. Obviously, you set up your own stuff, and if you finish before a mate or mates, you then help them. No one should be so special he/she gets to opt out, unless of course they can do with less $$.

JMHO. YMMV
 
#46
Our female singer is pretty much useless anyway. She can't lift anything, putters around, just kind of in the way. Maybe wrap a cord here or set up a stand there... mostly she just gets in the way, even tho' she means well. BUT, she does know how to schmooze and talk to people. To me, that sells the band. I guess that's the trade off.

The three guys will haul the heavy stuff and set it up. I'm happy being the only one who runs cords and plugs in all the wires. If there's a problem I know where it is. It works for us and I don't bitch about it. Although she probably doesn't want to know what we think of her as far as her ability to help out.
 
#47
Then there are the musicians that bring their wives/girlfriends to the gig. Are late because they brought their wife/girlfriend, and then feel compelled to sit with them while the other guys, who are stag that night, continue to work. I owned the PA, I asked for help, they refused, I left, no more band. That is sad in a way because of all the time I had into it, but work must be equally split. If you don't know how to run cables. LEARN

The City
 
#52
This is another one of those things that has improved, the farther along the playing curve I go. Most of the people I play with are pretty seasoned and professional. They look after their own gear first, and then offer to pitch in with whatever still needs to be done. It's very rare that someone needs a specific request to get them to lend a hand.
 
#58
My strategy, and the one I encourage from everyone else in every band I have been in, is to pack up your stuff first and then help everyone else until the car is loaded. I do make exceptions if you are talking to fans/promoters/venue owners, those conversations tend to keep the gigs coming.
 
#59
Our female lead singer doesn't help, but it's ok.

She's the BL's wife.
She mostly just does backup with three or four that she sings lead on.
She is not part of the pay split. (i.e. she doesn't get paid)

So I cut her some slack. ;)
 

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