blue

[quote name='Kirky' timestamp='1492342909' post='3279503'] That's incredible value, Blue. I feel most festivals here in the UK have completely lost their way and are nothing more than a commercial rip-off. [/quote] Yes, a great value. However, I believe a bottle of beer is probably around $8.00. For what you pay for Glastonbury addmision, drinks should be free. Blue

[quote name='Kirky' timestamp='1492342909' post='3279503'] That's incredible value, Blue. I feel most festivals here in the UK have completely lost their way and are nothing more than a commercial rip-off. [/quote] That's too bad. We're extremely lucky here, Milwaukee is also known as the "City Of Festivals". We're also home to German Fest, African Fest, Festa Italia, the list goes on. I love Irish Fest. And they all book cool music and bands and all the ethnic festivals are held on the Summerfest grounds. SummerFest was Henry Meyers brain child back in 1969. He wanted something where the " working class guy" could take his family and have a great time on a budget. Blue

[quote name='Maude' timestamp='1492338577' post='3279458'] General admission tickets for 2017 are £243 including the booking fee, parking is £45. That's roughly 360 US dollars, which I consider prohibitively expensive. My kids (17 & 19) would like us to go as a family but that would be $1440. I think you'll agree Blue that your Summerfest is considerably better value. [/quote] Positively expensive, yes, I agree. No comparison in the addmision between the 2 festivals. My senior admission rate is $7.00. Blue

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492326477' post='3279353'] I get the sense that you feel ready to move up an echelon within the industry. I [/quote] The only thing I'm moving up in, is the line at the Chinese restaurant down the street. Blue

At first I thought it was odd, the festival organizers never meet the artists. Now that I think about it there's no reason for it. Plus many of the A list artist are mukti-millionairs and probably have people around them to keep people like me away from them. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1492286409' post='3279264'] Quite. And some songs take a lot more work than others. Some will work first play through. Others are like pulling teeth. [/quote] We've worked on some songs where we just couldn't get them to work for us. We might have gigged them once or twice then they got dropped. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1492284519' post='3279253'] Glastonbury is arguably the UK's premier festival, the only one that comes close is Reading and Leeds. There are a lot of smaller festivals where local bands can get a slot but I'm not sure there's anything like Summerfest where A list bands and artists share the bill with local acts. [/quote] Cool, Summerfest runs for 2 weeks, it's very affordable What is the addmision price for Glastonbury? And remember that list is only for the headliner stages. There are tons of other stages in the grounds. Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1492282219' post='3279238'] I don't think there's many There's a fair few unsigned acts or acts that have a deal but have not released anything yet, but I imagine thay they all have professional representation. They did used to have the Glastonbury town brass band play the pyramid stage on the sunday morning. Hell of a way to wake up after a heavy night of revelling, a million trombones blasting their way through 'Ruby Tuesday' at festival volumes. [/quote] I see, I'm thinking Summerfest and Glastonbury are very different types of festivals. For example, Summerfest actually sells individual licences for busking. Blue

How easy is it for your local bands to get a slot at your Glastonbury Festicak? Blue

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1492249159' post='3278933'] As do I Blue... My observation was not a criticism, just an observation. [/quote] I didn't think you were being critical White Cloud. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1492256156' post='3279025'] Our guitarist, who has lived and worked in the States, does tell people to buy more drinks during our gigs, I'd never made the connection, but he might have picked that up in America. [/quote] Cool, we don't actually push drinks,but we will give props to the bar staff. "How about this fantastic staff guys, treat them right" Which means tip these folks well. Sorry guys, but tipping is a part of our culture. Good or bad, it's the way it is. The whole thing is about entertaining, get things moving especially getting that cash to turn over. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1492256361' post='3279026'] There is also often some passive aggressive stuff that goes on in bands. Viz a viz not learning tunes that they don't want to play. How are you going to make sure the next band isn't like all the other bands you have been in? [/quote] You have to ask questions, 1.What have they accomplished, 2.Where and how often do they gig, 3.Check out the caliber of gear they gig with, 4.What's the pay 5.Do they have a star or is it just a bunch of dudes. 6.What is the process for learning new material and is it working. 7. What kind of turnover have they experienced, is the line up stable. Hey, years back, I remember it took me 3 rehearsals to realize I was dealing with a bunch of losers. Blue

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1492245550' post='3278893'] The unseen but obvious is that the name on the headstock (along with the actual instrument) is of much less importance than the name playing the instrument and making the music...which when you strip everything that we all discuss here back is what it's all about. Making music. [/quote] True, But a lot of people like cool gear. I do. It's always been like that. Blue

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1492246807' post='3278907'] Fantastic line up. Few really good ones too, Tom Petty, Moody Blues. Styx (well almost), Willie Nelson (WOW), Frampton, Steve Miller Jings the list of acts from all eras that i like is unimaginable in one venue too. Brilliant. You are lucky. Assume the weather is usually not an issue for you Blue. Dave [/quote] Its great value for seniors like me, $7.50 for an entire day. Parking is somewhat expensive. Probably $25.00 for a decent spot where you only have to walk a block of two to the festival gates. Blue

[quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1492244271' post='3278876'] I have always been the one who gets the gigs even though I'm quite new to the area, and every other week after rehearsals I say to all the guys, "can you please try and get gigs in your area's as you know them better than me", of course they all say "ok", but I can honestly say that they never do, because when I repeat the request a couple of weeks later, they usually reply "oh yeah, I'll try", not "I've tried but without success". I'm now about to put an advert out for a ready made band that needs a bass player, I will stay with these guys for a while, but I'm not going to be taken for granted anymore, if they can get the songs gig ready and get out and get some gigs then great, but I don't think it will happen unfortunately. [/quote] I like where your head's at and I wish you the best and success. You deserve it. Blue

[quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1492243554' post='3278871'] I think it's a great eclectic line up and whoever goes will have a ball. Top for me would be Fishbone and JJ Grey. Person I'd like to be closest to, Sheryl Crow for obvious reasons, think I would lose the power of speech [/quote] Yeah Cuzzie, but you really have to understand and love the large festival scene like me. You really have to have plan for what you want to do and who you want to see.Otherwise you might be disappointed. In other words it's really meant for true music lovers. You have to deal with parking issues (*while there are cheap shuttles back and fourth from all over the place)and huge crowds. And people love to drink a lot at Summerfest Blue * Not for me, for obvious reasons. At least not that ride back.

This is the gentleman you have to have an in with to play Summerfest. A very knowledgeable guy. Great clips for those interested in insight on the music business and what goes on and how and why they book ECT,,, Interesting that the festival organizers don't meet the artist, they only meet with the accountants and other professional representatives. Part I https://youtu.be/08XMcpY8plg Part II https://youtu.be/1Klt_-w_Fkg Blue

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492237792' post='3278812'] That's a good one for the curriculum vitae (resume). It's a credit to you. I liken it to to a regular Glastonbury attendee going on stage after many years of enjoying the event from the audience. For Glasto it would probably mean you needn't bring wellies to the event any more... [/quote] I guess, but while it goes against my own position on value,When it comes to playing festival headliner stages, I think you have to be seen and heard in action when your on the top of your game. Blue

I think there are some cool Squires out there. Like the MIJ Squire Vintage Vibe series 1951 reissue in Lake Placid blue with Maple neck. Google it, it looks cool as hell. Unfortunately I don't see myself gigging with a 2nd teir brand. Blue

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1492206024' post='3278739'] Get a some gigs for the band. [/quote] Get some gigs for the band. Yeah, just like that, get some gigs, it's real easy. You just call a venue and say you have a band and they'll just book you right on the spot. I think there's a lot more to it than; "Get some gigs" Blue

[quote name='acidbass' timestamp='1492208292' post='3278759'] You're with the wrong people. Don't compromise on quality, eventually you will be surrounded by the right musicians. [/quote] Agreed, And if they don't want to learn the songs, how motivated are they to gig. There are plenty of gigging bands that want guys with your work ethic. Blue

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1492210578' post='3278766'] Cool. Funny enough I was listening to the Moody Blues' Seventh Sojourn earlier today. Big festival. How many times have you been there? [/quote] This will be my 6th consecutive year playing Summerfest. I've attended SummerFest every year since 1981. Summerfest started in 1969. Blue

[quote name='krispn' timestamp='1492207136' post='3278748'] I'm pretty lucky that our bands main gig is in a pub which is always busy and we go down well. I always imagine the American scene to be about bar receipts, pushing the alcohol specials, if a punter offers to get you a drink you order a round of ...not premium shots but ...good for the till reciept type drinks. The singer should be pushing sales like Hey have you guys tried the 'hurricanes' in this place or go try the bucket of beer for $20. I read an interesting post in Talk Bass about this subject and how bands have to remember that they're there to sell booze and I think it had a very well written bit from a bar owner explaining that in as many words. Things like telling the band we need to sell X brand etc. I could be totally wrong of course! [/quote] Alcohol sales is a big part of it, however so is good music. Unfortunately if you have a poor draw and alcohol sales are poor, your band will not be re-booked. Blue

Promo clip for Summerfest 2017. https://youtu.be/NV9rk2bRl0I Blue

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1492206889' post='3278746'] I imagine The Chainsmokers will be right up your street...[/quote] Well outside of Dylan and Petty not a lot of the music of my generation is represented this year. Hopefully there's some new stuff I'll see and like. People cone from all over the world to attend Summerfest. Blue