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[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1459462808' post='3016940'] I know what you mean. I'd like to be challenged. But the musicians I know are all breadheads. They're happy wallowing in their rut as long as they get paid. If I have to play Bad Moon Rising again, I think I might go postal. [/quote] I guess I'm lucky, my band doesn't play that song or any of the songs that stereotype cover bands. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1459450985' post='3016809'] Agree about time slots and last on a saturday night at a beer festival when people have been drinking all day isn't always the best slot. It really depends how good the organisation is... what sort of stage or event security as even a 1000 people can be a nightmare if things kick-off....and it only needs a very small number in that group to have things go very wrong. Price-wise... HAS to be well run and pay better than pub work....but too many festivals don't or can't budget for bands properly. Around here, it is pretty easy to know which those festivals are by the bands that play them... [/quote] Agreed, I will say our Summerfest ( largest music fest in the world since 1969) has their sh*t together for bands. 1. You get a contract 2. All the necessary clearance documentation 3.Separate entrence for band vehicles as well as free parking 4. Large black econo vans take the band to the stage and back 5. Separate van for gear 6.Ecellent backline, I usually get an SVT,8 10s 7. Pro stage managers 8. Large dressing rooms with bathrooms 9. Food & drink Blue

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1459454479' post='3016857'] But if you are famous then it's hardly necessary. [/quote] Good point! It's official, band member introductions are no longer allowed. Blue

[quote name='skychaserhigh' timestamp='1459441478' post='3016646'] Sense of humour lacking there maybe ?? I think it's a great ad ! [/quote] Agreed, a great ad for those in it for fun. Blue

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1459339274' post='3015567'] We just got confirmed for The Brentwood Festival which is nice an local for a change. [url="http://brentwoodfestival.co.uk/"]http://brentwoodfestival.co.uk/[/url] [/quote] Nice! Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1459338160' post='3015544'] Not much, waiting to hear back from some things. Definitely doing a beer festival in June, that should be a good laugh. Won't say more until more details are finalised though. In true "it's not what you know" fashion which this industry seems to operate by, I know the guy who's organising the music for it because I played a gig for him before, and I got that gig because my wife knows him and namedropped us to him. [/quote] Stay in contact, don't get blind sided. Stay on that guys radar until he gives you a date. Blue

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1459337576' post='3015531'] what's an aggressive offer? A generous one might have more chance of success! I play a load of beer festivals, folk festivals, punk festivals, indoor and out. They're all usually fun. I don't think we've got anything massive though. We'll probably play to audiences of 500 or so [/quote] Aggresive means generous. I don't know but I would bet there's close to a million in employee payroll alone for 1 McCartney show. Blue

A few things to think about with festivals. You should be getting paid. The organizers should make things easy and pleasant for the bands. Good stage management,lights, sound and good backline should be provided. Be suspicious of festivals that make things hard for a band to get on stage. If you get one of these letters with a laundry list of things the band can't do. Tell the organizers to get bent, unless they're paying big bucks. Time slots are important too. In the States a 12 noon time slot on a week day, even at the HUGE festivals you'll only be playing to a handful of people. Blue

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1459433784' post='3016550'] Our band are playing our first ever outdoor festival this year, though we played (indoors) as part of Sheffield Tramlines fest last year. We're way down the bill, but at least we're above the Bouncy Castle! (we're the Badass Weeds, btw) http://www.greenmeadowsfestival.org/line-up-3/ [/quote] Cool, well at least your on the bill. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1459411548' post='3016192'] Normally target a few. Stay away from the free ones, which altho they can be ok, paying bands decent rates isn't high on their list. Around here, you could probably knock out quite a few for that reason. [/quote] I also say stay away from festivals that want your services for free. First learn there is no such thing as exposure, not anymore. 2nd there are other vendors that are getting paid but not the bands. Over the years so many bands have agreed to play for free promoters don't think they have to pay bands. Third, they prey on young inexperienced bands. Don't let a charity organization take advantage of your band. Blue

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1459413946' post='3016229'] I didn't say I don't play the game, but I don't have to like it, nor find it anything less than artistically reprehensible - when (IMHO) mediocre bands get good gigs because they know someone at the venue/festival organising committee. I feel like I'm cheating people by asking for favours to get us on bills and in venues because it doesn't feel like we're there on our own merits, which in my opinion is how it should be. [/quote] That's the way it should be, but that's not real life, at least not in The States. The kid in a sh*t band who's father is on some board of directors that sponsors a festival gets the gig before the a real good band can get in on their musical merrit. I don't like it either , but its the way it is. Blue

I've been on Bass Chat long enough to be honest. Regarding being in multiple bands. I contend that these guys that say they're in like 4-5 bands. There are only 3 weekends in a month. If your in that many bands they can't be bands with many gigs. There would be to many schedule conflicts to deal with. Blue

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1459355013' post='3015748'] To me there are 2 things I like to do 1. Play gigs and enjoy the party side of things 2. Play music for the sake of music I can seldom combine the 2 but sometimes it happens, so I have to enjoy both separately [/quote] At gigs, I'm hired to entertain, were the help.We're there to work and create a party atmosphere for the client. Blue

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1459386027' post='3016121'] I managed to get a picture from Sam.. [URL=http://s778.photobucket.com/user/VTypeV4/media/IMG-20160330-WA0000_zpshtihzljq.jpg.html][IMG]http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/VTypeV4/IMG-20160330-WA0000_zpshtihzljq.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Must have been a really important note that one! You can just see the Trace and SWR in the background... [/quote] It's always nice to have an attractive young lady out front. Blue

[quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1459164250' post='3013956'] So I played my first gig with my new band in a very very small venue , I had my Barefaced Super Compact behind me powered by my Ashdown ABM1000 on top of an active sub (that I use to give the bass drum a bit of quality ) I thought I was easily loud enough But I got a lot of comments that I wasn't ? It's just occurred to me that a lot of the tone could have been blocked by my big fat carcass as I was only 12" away from it , Sound check sounded fine , but then I was wandering around on the dance floor . I'll try putting it on the floor next time as I'm built like a baked potato with two cocktail sticks for legs [/quote] If your all low frequency, a lot of people can't hear the low end notes in that range. Blue

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1459355291' post='3015756'] It can be done in a non pretentious fun way at pub / bar level , but only if the crowd are really on your side. We don't plan it in , but sometimes the singer does it during solos or breakdowns, or at other times, but I don't think it should be contrived. [/quote] You know what? Of course there are exceptions. But my take at the end of the day ; If your not famous, save the introductions.It's not required. Blue

Last couple of gigs were cool. Just regular small 4 hour bar gigs. However the band has been hot and we've had good size receptive crowds. Were playing a much more upscale club this weekend. Blue

[quote name='DaytonaRik' timestamp='1458580818' post='3008803'] We played at The Greyhound in Beeston, Nottingham which is a very well known live music venue. Landlord reckons there were couple of hundred in and I wouldn't have disagreed. In light of recent events, we saw this as an opportunity to play at a bigger venue to see if we could up our game to take on the big boys and we didn't dissappoint. Possibly our best gig to date!!! [/quote] Nice pics. Blue

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1458389365' post='3007160'] Masquerade bash at Swindon MECA [[i]sic[/i]] - followed Nathan Jones All Stars (big band), including a Michael Bublé set, and played virtually non-stop floor-fillers. A few small gaffs (the band is quite new) but overall a success I would say! [/quote] Cool,everything looks upscale.I like that. Blue

Paul McCartney if he accepts our offer to open Summerfest 2016. Last year The Stoned opened the festival. It would be cool to see Paul in a 20,000 seat venue. Last time he came to Milwaukee he played the 45,000 seat Miller Park. Blue

Guys, yeah I'll give you that it's my insecurities. I always take offense to the " well I have a job" response. I have a job too. The best job in the world, playing bass guitar and singing in a rock n roll band. Blue

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1459378532' post='3016079'] He did not say anything about being better than anyone, just that money is not a driver for his playing. I read that as being able to choose the music to play without having to consider the pay. Methinks some of your insecurities coming out. [/quote] I know, it's just my take on his statements. It's uppity. Blue

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1459360545' post='3015838'] I'm off to Costa Del Folk in Majorca in a few weeks. Looking forward to that one. Apart form that, I'm playing at a few of the rootsier festivals - Beverley Festival, Music on the Marr, Clennell Hall... always good fun. [/quote] Fun? Sounds absolutely dream land to me. I've been to Majorca. Blue

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1459378395' post='3016076'] We (Til Dawn) are doing a few small festivals in Banburyshire this summer. Winter Gardens Revival in May, Deerjam in June and Bodfest in July, the latter two are well established local festivals that always draw an enthusiastic crowd come rain or shine. Can't wait - playing these are definitely highlights of our summer diary. [/quote] Sounds nice, enjoy those cool gigs. Blue

[quote name='M@23' timestamp='1459365880' post='3015905'] Well, I'm on the Isle of Wight... will be playing at the IOW Festival this year, have played it once before and it was an incredible experience. [/quote] Nice, yeah I'm basically a " play standing in an inch of piss " bar band guy. But I like how were treated at the few nice festivals we play in the Summer. Organized, good stage, light and sound management, dressing rooms and food and drink. Nothing wrong with being treated like a rock star once in a while. Blue