I have an occasional dep gig with a busy function band, it's all 'top 40' type stuff and nowt too challenging. They give me plenty of notice and a set list so I have time for practice at home and to make up some crib sheets. I had one 'gig' with them a couple of years back, it was in South Wales at a holiday camp about 90 minutes' drive away... the band leader/frontlady was assured time and again that they had a substantial in-house PA, but we got there to find that substantial actually meant a 2 channel 30w vocal PA with a pair of Radio Shack speakers. The camp ents. manager still expected something from us, so the band leader sang to the backing track tape she always carries Just In Case, and the rest of us went home. She was mortified that I'd had a long pointless drive, was incandescent with fury at the camp and vowed to screw them for the full band fee plus nuisance money, which she got - the band has a good standard contract, and she's a lawyer by trade and very good at getting what she wants - so I was well compensated for my wasted time. But in truth, I didn't mind that much. I'd caught up with my friends in the band, albeit fleetingly, and it was a beautiful evening for a drive, so I took the scenic route home. But it was a good lesson in the band always having a watertight contract!