What is "The House PA Circuit"? What venues are these?

[Sean]

I've been browsing some wanted ads for band members and have found a band that claims to play venues on 'the house pa circuit' (sic). Now, I thought I'd been round the block a bit but I've never heard of this and when I cut and paste that phrase into our best friend it seems that he is as clueless as me.

Also, wouldn't you be radically limiting the gigs you could play if you relied n the venue having a PA every time you wanted to play?

Anyone able to enlighten me?

[JakeBrownBass]

I guess it means they only play shows in venues with house pa's. Meaning they don't have to cart their own pa around.

[BottomE]

Lucky buggers. Must be lovely turning up, plugging in and playing.

[Sean]

[quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1322579622' post='1453031']
I guess it means they only play shows in venues with house pa's. Meaning they don't have to cart their own pa around.
[/quote]
Yeah, I guessed this but the mention of a circuit and the fact that it's in quotes implies (to me anyway) that there are a whole load of venues related to some kind of scene that provide house PA. I guess somewhere like The Barfly venues would count, however when I tell you that the band that is advertising is a tribute act of a band that was very big (and pretty cheesey) back in the day it makes me wonder what they mean.

[neepheid]

Three of the established music venues in Aberdeen have house PA, house bass amp and house drum kit (minus snare and cymbals of course). I guess we're quite lucky and you're right - no rig == no car == more beer!

[Sean]

Hmmm. Bass into Pod, Pod into PA - job done! Sounds like bliss however I think not having had to lug big bins upstairs before playing could seriously affect my performance

[lemmywinks]

It might also mean they do a lot of travelling. When we did the franchise circuit it was great not having to cart a PA about and set up, however it also meant we spent a lot of time on the road.

[uncle psychosis]

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1322579166' post='1453019']
I've been browsing some wanted ads for band members and have found a band that claims to play venues on 'the house pa circuit' (sic).

Also, wouldn't you be radically limiting the gigs you could play if you relied n the venue having a PA every time you wanted to play?

Anyone able to enlighten me?
[/quote]

My band has done gigs in dozens of venues in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and we have never had to provide our own PA. All of the music venues around here provide PA (and limited backline).

You might find that supplied gear varies greatly from area to area.

[Mog]

Aye usually means an in-house pa system. Most clubs will have their own IME. Word of warning though, always find out if there is backline and suitable monitors.

[dmccombe7]

Yep a friend of mine is hired by the promoter of our local venue to supply PA and lighting.
Not the backline though.

Dave