Interestingly and topically, I got a call from a BL wanting to play this Saturday, 3-5. Outdoors, covered tent, heaters. I declined. 
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Would You Honor This Gig?
- Thread starter Bassist4Eris
- Start date
Victory is mine! You get credit for manning up and the band learns a valuable lesson without actually having to be miserable.
Maybe this is one of those times in which posting online about a band problem (band management), whether it was read by the other involved parties or not, results in a positive outcome? Maybe the Cosmos read this thread.
The show ended up being in a really nice space, actually. It was a little country store, the type of place with homemade jam and organic produce, with a bar and restaurant area. All-in-all, it felt a lot like a bar gig, only it smelled a lot better. 
The interesting thing was that the whole band had developed this "devil may care" attitude about the gig, and we didn't really let go of it once we found out it was indoors. The result was one of the more improvisationally adventurous shows we've done. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
The interesting thing was that the whole band had developed this "devil may care" attitude about the gig, and we didn't really let go of it once we found out it was indoors. The result was one of the more improvisationally adventurous shows we've done. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Nice. So are you still staying with the band ?The show ended up being in a really nice space, actually. It was a little country store, the type of place with homemade jam and organic produce, with a bar and restaurant area. All-in-all, it felt a lot like a bar gig, only it smelled a lot better.
The interesting thing was that the whole band had developed this "devil may care" attitude about the gig, and we didn't really let go of it once we found out it was indoors. The result was one of the more improvisationally adventurous shows we've done. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Those types of improvisationally adventurous gigs have provided both my best performance moments and also a few ridiculous trainwrecksThe show ended up being in a really nice space, actually. It was a little country store, the type of place with homemade jam and organic produce, with a bar and restaurant area. All-in-all, it felt a lot like a bar gig, only it smelled a lot better.
The interesting thing was that the whole band had developed this "devil may care" attitude about the gig, and we didn't really let go of it once we found out it was indoors. The result was one of the more improvisationally adventurous shows we've done. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Yeah, I'm going to stick it out for awhile. I really like the people. They're not the best band I've ever played with, but neither are they the worst. The sax player is phenomenal, at least by bar band standards, and the BL (trumpeter) writes killer horn charts. They need to tighten up on beginnings, endings, and transitions, but we've been working on that. I hate the travel gigs, but I spoke with the BL about that a few weeks ago and she agreed to more carpooling.
And apparently I'm living in the film Groundhog Day.
My other band has a gig this weekend. Also a private party. The gig was understood to be indoors (in the garage to be exact, which isn't exactly ideal but the pay was good). We get a text from the client today talking about having us set up near a bonfire and to "dress warmly". Hell no!
There are three important differences between this situation and the last. One, this is contrary to what was agreed to. Two, everyone in this band is over 40. Three, I am the BL. So we will not be playing outside, period.
Thankfully, the client is understanding, and trying to make plans to accommodate. We are willing to give her a full refund if appropriate arrangements can't be made, but she apparently has some kind of a connection with a pub in her neighborhood, because she seems to think she can move the party to that pub. I'm hoping that's what happens. It could make for a fairly nice gig.
My other band has a gig this weekend. Also a private party. The gig was understood to be indoors (in the garage to be exact, which isn't exactly ideal but the pay was good). We get a text from the client today talking about having us set up near a bonfire and to "dress warmly". Hell no!
There are three important differences between this situation and the last. One, this is contrary to what was agreed to. Two, everyone in this band is over 40. Three, I am the BL. So we will not be playing outside, period.
Thankfully, the client is understanding, and trying to make plans to accommodate. We are willing to give her a full refund if appropriate arrangements can't be made, but she apparently has some kind of a connection with a pub in her neighborhood, because she seems to think she can move the party to that pub. I'm hoping that's what happens. It could make for a fairly nice gig.
Does your band have a website? If so, state in big block letters WE DO NOT PERFORM OUTDOORS BELOW (insert temperature) for those clueless clients.
People just don't have a clue. Our band was booked in an up-and-coming winery. They didn't have any kind of building, or anything with a roof. They had us set up under some trees in some recently installed mulch, on an incline, a pretty good distance away from the audience. We did it but it was a crappy gig.
