TimR

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1419886186' post='2643677'] Facebook changes often sound really innocuous and a huge boon for the user. [url="http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2013/12/news-feed-fyi-helping-you-find-more-news-to-talk-about/"]This announcement[/url] sounds quite good all round but the reality was a [i]mahoosive[/i] drop in the reach of posts to the news feed (as Molan pointed out) and this doesn't really help if you'd actually like to know about gig announcements from certain bands. And this most definitely is going to affect bands as Facebook considers them commercial users - there's a reason they offer analytics on bands' pages, and it's not just to stoke the band's ego. [/quote] Well, not quite, because the link posted further above explains how FB decides what you see in your feed. Just because you have liked a band is no guarantee you'll see any of their posts. This is due to the 'time' element. If you liked a band last year and haven't interacted with them at all, by liking or commenting on a post or photograph since, then FB will assume that they're very low down on the list of things you like and will show you more 'important' things. So having thousands of likes is very important because only a few of your posts will be getting through. Maybe none. Ideally you need to make a secondary personal FB Musky the bassplayer account. Make this account an administrator to your page and friend everyone to this account who likes your band page. Also friend all your band members 'friends' as well. That way you can invite all the people you know who are likely to want to see your band to your gigs. Just post band related info to your own account.

If it's too loud for you, what's it like for the people in front of the band? Turn it down.

Pubs are asking for MP3s really. LemonRock seems to be quite a good site.

[quote name='BlueBear' timestamp='1419789598' post='2642723'] The Trooper ... [/quote] I haven't played that at a gig for 27 years!

I played Mustang Sally at a jam night on Boxing Night. Well, I usually follow the singer for the changes, but the singer didn't know it. 😄 I haven't played it from a setlist for three years.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1419754727' post='2642371'] Well we do white wedding too but I didnt put it down the first time. [/quote] No worries. It's an organic list. If someone puts a tune up that you play you can add more. It's just for fun.

Middletown Dreams - Rush Short Skirt/Long Jacket - Cake

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1419713084' post='2642191'] We play mustang sally but the list from each member doesnt include everything, to do it properly everyone needs to put their full set list for analysis. [/quote] If it's a song you think other bands play, put it on the list. I can't believe anyone would think they're being original and the only band playing Mustang Sally. It's only a shortlist. .

Pretty much as expected then. I have a recording of twelve days of Christmas somewhere, where each instrument did a different day. ... I come from a big musical family. Although you wouldn't think so listening to the recording. More wine?

Personally I invite people to gigs that are local to them. Although we only have a small FB following. I will start to like things that one of the local bands puts up following advice in that link. FB knows what you like and will give you more posts on that basis. I've missed loads of their gigs because FB knows I liked their page but haven't interacted with them otherwise for three years. So I suppose it's down to the bands to send personal invites rather than rely on FB to decide who might be interested. .

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1419467961' post='2640368'] Deleted my facebook about 9 months ago, I didnt like the way I could be talking say on here about something only to get a facebook suggestion about it a few days later! Nuked mine the whole hog, deleted every friend one at a time before pulling the trigger. I've not missed out on anything important that could be done via text either. [/quote] That's nothing to do with Facebook. That's your cookies settings. All sites use them. http://www.allaboutcookies.org

I think what they're saying is if you use the free service to push content that's of a particular nature (see the three examples) Facebook will detect this as content people are fed up with seeing and reduce the audience. If you want to publish that kind of material then you'll be better off using paid advertisements. Essentially they're cutting down on commercial spam. What they call "Creative Content". Stuff that you've probably paid a creative agency to create. I doubt that sharing gig dates and Facebook posts of a text nature ect will be affected.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1419458380' post='2640280'] https://www.facebook.com/business/news/update-to-facebook-news-feed [/quote] Sorry. I can't see anywhere that it says you'll have to pay.

How were you told that you will have to pay? I've not been told. I'm the admin on our band page.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1419452361' post='2640200'] And spends the same time practicing that most members here do discussing pointless stuff... Such as the use of music stands! :-P [/quote] I think you'll find that proffesional musicians regard practicing as cheating.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1419444065' post='2640077'] Good songs is always my start point... I wont really know how the band will sound until we get these to rehearsal..but I am pretty sure the gtr has some preconceived ideas. I REALLY didn't want to be stuck in the 80's at all.. and if your age range audience is correct then that is too limiting. Maybe that is why 80's bands don't do too well out of pubs round here. And by that I mean, they still charge pub sort of money to do parties.. I like the band to be a bit more than a selction of the most popular numbers it can play... so yes, I'll take it a bit more seriously. I think this can be rescued IF the guys in the band can pull off some original takes of a popular song..but it will be short lived if we are just a copy band...which is one reason why I resisted keys and I am glad I did...altho they will feature for the bigger better gigs when the band goes to 7-8 piece. [/quote] The function bands that I've playing in do one set of 80s at most. 60-70s go down a storm with all ages and the under 30s and 35-40s go mad for 00-10s. What you have to realise is that 'most' people in the age range 30-40 are home with kids or at each other's dinner parties. Getting this age group out of the house is quite a challenge.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1419436869' post='2639975'] ... I want piano more than keys. In fact, I'll tell the keys, no midi sounds, only paino, electric piano, hammond and one or two synth sounds and that's it.. [/quote] Yes. Soft strings is about it. Anything else just sounds like you've tried too hard and missed. Personally I think you can take any tune with a good hook, strong melody and good lyrics and rhythm and play it in your own style. It'll still be instantly recognisable. If you're sticking to 80s number then you're sticking to 35-45 age range audience. Unless you start playing ABBA or tunes from Disney films. The danger with 80s tunes is taking yourselves too seriously. I lived through the 80s as a teenager and it was real cheese for the most part. If you accept it's cheesy you'll do well.

What is the petition hoping to achieve? Don't the petitions just get parliament to debate the issue. Which is apparently already being done and has cross parliamentary support... https://appgticketabuse.wordpress.com

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1419337068' post='2638839'] It's their way of ensuring that only UK residents are counted. T'web is (I'm told...) 'world-wide', and we wouldn't want non-nationals petitioning, now would we..? Blinkin' well unbeatable method of preventing cheating, eh..? Took a lot of work to invent, did that. [size=4] [/size] [/quote] They can then check a sample to make sure that real people did sign it and it wasn't just someone going through the phone book and adding names.

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1419327017' post='2638705'] Yes it is. Although TBH that's a bit like asking "is this the 'Frog Chorus' Paul McCartney?" I've always thought it a real shame that they are remembered mainly for one of their poorest songs. I guess that's what happens when you're something of a one-hit-wonder. [/quote] Great analagy. Or the Brick In The Wall - Pink Floyd.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1419325648' post='2638679'] To be fair it's not my petition it's just co incidental that I was having exactly the same feelings at the same time but it's building very fast and usually I am quite a chilled out kind of a person but there is no doubt about that this is very much profiteering and I am confident that in time ( sadly nothing seems to happen very quickly ) this could help change the situation. [/quote] Ah ok. However, looks like Watchdog have already given this on a big bashing. The various companies have replied. Sharon Hodgson MP is/was apparently one pushing for a change in the law to limit the price increase to 10% Watchdog stuff here. Interesting read. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3Sn9kz60SZPXy0g0qCy2zk8/second-hand-ticketing

You should bring this to the attention of BBC Watchdog. You might get on TV. I'm usually very sceptical of these petitions, usually badly worded and based on idealism but in this case you're spot on the money. Well done.

Exactly.

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1419284985' post='2638428'] Cowel want sp**k trumpets to empty the pockets of teenage girls of their pocket money. [/quote] And the object of a proffesional corporate function band is to ...?

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1419277196' post='2638321'] A bit of defensiveness in the "not raw enough/too sterile comments, methinks. Great musicians. End of. [/quote] Not really. It's classic west end theatre style stuff. It's what it is. It's aimed at corporate events. It's good. Not what I enjoy. Similar to the band on 'strictly' People like Cowell and quite a few west end production auditions I've been to now, specifically avoid this type of performer. There is something missing (the x-factor if you like )