Sound levels request to go lower, then low

[paulears]

Well - less of a disaster than I predicted - because it rained. It was "The Summer Ball" - Black-tie event.

Will there be electricity? No -

Will there be a stage? No

Will it have a roof? No

 

So - they moved it indoors, and our available depth was 4 feet - the rider says 6x4m - so we simply spread sideways so none of us could even turn around or see each other. No idea what the others sounded like - didn't hear them.

 

I like the idea that you can just play outside, on grass - but at least no neighbours were harmed.

[pete10uk]

Sounds like the weather was on your side this time.

 

It does make me laugh how people seem to think that thinks just happen, especially when the think it all happens wirelessly these days.

 

I sound op'd a mini festival once and half way through the heavens opened and most of the punters left. The organiser said at the end of the next song were going to move it indoors. I don't think he expected the hour of sequence in between.

 

Correction. That was silence

[johnlinford]

The number of clients that seem to think you can go seamlessly from one act to the next, on a small stage with no rolling risers without any "bridging music" is always a surprise.

[sam.spoons]

The number of promoters who think the same is quite surprising too (and they should know better) http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif

[empyfree]

The number of clients that seem to think you can go seamlessly from one act to the next, on a small stage with no rolling risers without any "bridging music" is always a surprise.

 

Argh!

 

Some musings...

 

1 - headline act rider calls for 10m x 6m stage with risers...

2 - we manage to negotiate an 8m x 5m, that's all that will fit in the room.

3 - "oh, and there's a function band playing during dinner..."

4 - "did we mention the chap playing piano as guests enter? We'll need you to get his baby grand off stage while the compere does his intro speech"

5 - "did you bring a lectern?"

6 - "we're bringing a few people on stage for an award, no more than twenty of them"

7 - "make sure there are no gaps in the entertainment... No, we didn't book a DJ, just put on some really good music to fill in"

8 - "why aren't the band ready?"

9 - "now the bands started, your crew food is served upstairs down the end of the long corridor in the broom cupboard the staff hide spare chairs in. " (Cold chips and stale sandwiches )

[david.elsbury]

Number 9 >:( especially on corporates. If you get fed at all...

[Stuart91]

Number 9 >:( especially on corporates. If you get fed at all...

 

There's nothing quite like sitting sidestage as 900 dinners get carried past you, knowing full well that your next chance for proper food is 6+hrs away...

[paulears]

The Black Tie event made no attempt to follow anything in the contract - ours detail that there are 5 of us, and while we don't insist, we do mention that food would be appreciated. So this one wasn't going to provide rain cover, so food was clearly out. The Sunday theatre event followed everything on the rider - mains and feeds asked for in the right places, and everything ready - and the dressing room had tea, coffee and even chocky biscuits. Corporates also refuse you the promised food in case they run short, so you can eat once the punters have eaten - which is exactly when you are on stage. German corporates and UAE booking all seem pretty good at looking after you. Corporates at the big name hotels are the worst!

[peza2010]

I miss theatres having finished my last theatre tour 3 years ago.

 

Most of the venues I work in now are happy to hire their venue to your client, but would really rather you wernt there at all - and are not afraid to show it!

[pete10uk]

I miss theatres having finished my last theatre tour 3 years ago.

 

Most of the venues I work in now are happy to hire their venue to your client, but would really rather you wernt there at all - and are not afraid to show it!

 

I have a few clients where I'm part of their regular events team and have been working with them for the past 10 years.

 

It's surprising what a difference it makes when you can go to a pre event meeting with the venue events team and talk to them as "we would like this and we need to do that" and be talking as the client.

 

When event day comes around its all "can we do this for you, let me know if there's anything else you need".

 

Where as

 

If the first time you have met the events team is on event day.

 

It's like how dare you want to make our plain room where nothing works properly, beautiful and functional so the paying people can buy our over priced drinks and stay in our hotel.

 

Not many places get it right. They don't realise sometimes we can influence where clients book.