Corporate gigs

[thepurpleblob]

Hmmmm.... much as I like the blues I'm not enough of an addict to go see a whole night of it. I've been to some blues doos that where every song sounds the same (to me). On the other hand, I've seen some very entertaining blues bands where it isn't all about twenty minute solos. Anyway, you know which you are. You know if you appeal to "ordinary" punters. If the latter stop it with the negative talk and go do the gig. You have no idea how it's going to go unless you have a crack at it. What's the worst than can happen.... seriously??

[niceguyhomer]

[quote name='thepurpleblob' post='667425' date='Nov 27 2009, 02:46 PM']Hmmmm.... much as I like the blues I'm not enough of an addict to go see a whole night of it. I've been to some blues doos that where every song sounds the same (to me). On the other hand, I've seen some very entertaining blues bands where it isn't all about twenty minute solos. Anyway, you know which you are. You know if you appeal to "ordinary" punters. If the latter stop it with the negative talk and go do the gig. You have no idea how it's going to go unless you have a crack at it. What's the worst than can happen.... seriously??[/quote]

We're more like the former - I'm not really a blues afficionado and have been known to fall asleep mid solo. Seriously, I've only done 4 blues festivals with 'em and they've all been great gigs - especially Carlisle, and a couple of pub gigs which weren't so good. It's definitely a Marmite band and given that all our songs are dominated by the harp sound - they all sound pretty similar.

[Beedster]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='667379' date='Nov 27 2009, 02:05 PM']I do this for the fun of it[/quote]

Then a conversation has to be had. We recemtly realised that giging was weakening our fous on writing and recording - when I say 'gigging' I mean pubs and clubs that want you to play a certain amount of crowd pleasers. Looked around at the last gig and none of us were enjoying it at all, and when we got off stage we were barely talking! Quick conversation and we're not gonna gig for a while, focus on writing new material, rehearse and record spring next year, festivals next summer. No more gigs unless we're doing all original material, which limits the venues we can play significantly, but that's a good thing. We're not in it to make a few quid out of pub gigs, we all want to write and record, but we needed to be reminded of that a few times once we got onto the pub/club treadmill.

Did any of that make any sense at all

C

[chris_b]

Sorry Al, but I think that a blues band at a corporate do is a square peg in a round hole. Like our chicago blues band at a wedding reception! We were very good but still, predictably, died a death!! A good band and good players can't cover the fact that it's the wrong genre. Hope I'm wrong.

[skankdelvar]

I've only ever knocked back one gig where I thought our act (70's blues-rock - Rory Gallagher / Free-ish) would tank, and that was at a supper club, going on between between the comedian and the Pan's-People-esque dancers.

I've done a few of these corporate do's with a line-up very similar to yours. The trick is to tweak the dynamism up by about 10% and think big. Own the stage.

More drama on the slow ones, a hint of groove on the mid-tempos and lots of flash on the fast ones. More movement on stage and a bit more smiling than you'd get in the blues clubs. Happy is your friend.

Frankly, most punters won't even know you're playing blues - to them you're just a band. So engage danceability mode, backburner the really obscure stuff and learn up Sweet Home Chicago. Play Mustang Sally [i]hard[/i], like you mean it.

If your frontman's got an ounce of charisma, let him carry the crowd. It's his job. And remember, the early bluesmen all cut their teeth in Juke-Joints and house-parties. You're just following in a long tradition of blues as crowd-pleasing dance music. It's entirely possible to turn an audience around with this music and ten times more rewarding than playing to the usual chin-stroking Blues Nazis.

Edited November 27, 2009 by skankdelvar

[51m0n]

Can I be blunt?

IMO about the only blues act with enough charisma to get away with what you are entering into is Seasick Steve.

You guys sound exactly like you described, a fine thing for a blues noight, but you arent going to blow anyone away who isnt INTO the blues.

I dep in a very blues orientated covers band, and if we get the 'wrong' audience its hard work to get them into it (and a lot of the stuff we do isnt straight ahead blues, theres a lot of the funkier stuff in there too that usually saves the day).

If you go ahead with it I think you'll need to go the 'rockstar' route a bit more, Stonesy attitude and the beatnick suits might help if it makes you lot believe in it, but no so arrogant maybe?

Dunno really , but best of luck mate!

[niceguyhomer]

[quote name='chris_b' post='667459' date='Nov 27 2009, 03:21 PM']Sorry Al, but I think that a blues band at a corporate do is a square peg in a round hole. Like our chicago blues band at a wedding reception! We were very good but still, predictably, died a death!! A good band and good players can't cover the fact that it's the wrong genre. Hope I'm wrong.[/quote]

That's exactly my point Chris

[skankdelvar]

Unless I'm mistaken, everybody who's posted on this thread who's actually [i]done[/i] blues at a corporate gig seems to have had a good time. Go figure.

I mean, it's not as if you're doing Rammstein covers. And blues is, after all, the new Sunday lunchtime pub jazz, so it's not as if the punters are going to run screaming from the room. But if [i]really[/i] you think your band aren't going to cut it with civilians, then best tell them you don't want to do the gig so they can get a dep.

I'll do it if the money's right

Edited November 27, 2009 by skankdelvar

[stevebasshead]

My take is similar to the above - first and foremost get [i]absolute [/i]confirmation from the booker that music-wise a) they know exactly what they're getting from your band and b ) they won't get anything else (i.e. some people just seem to think that all they need to do is book "a band" and some sort of witchcraft happens whereby you just know any song they ask for on the night...disappointment ensues shortly thereafter!)

Secondly (and I haven't watched your YouTube link, so I don't know) does your frontman normally have the stagecraft/personality/all out balls to really engage with and win over an audience, especially one that may not take naturally to the blues you play? If he doesn't then I'd add that to the reasons to hesitate because if he doesn't do it naturally it's unlikely he'll be able to bring that out on the night without looking forced and unnatural.

Finally, if your band does do the gig then [b]really[/b] go for it, half measures will be uncomfortable to watch. You'll be playing to an audience who (statistically, by majority) will consist of people who normally [b]don't [/b]go to see local bands, so on the night they just want to watch something entertaining, a show rather than just appreciating the music. Hire suits, hell hire two [i]noticabley[/i] different styles and change between sets (if you're being paid corporate rates you'll have plenty of money to cover the hire). Goof around [i]a little [/i]with your bandmates. Maybe have your harp player put his hands to his mouth to start playing only to have forgotten his harp and one of you has to hand it to him?!? Anything to add to the pizzaz, it's showbiz!

You're right to air your worries to your band, best to get everyone committed one way or the other.

Good luck either way.
Steve.

Edited November 27, 2009 by stevebasshead

[Beedster]

[quote name='stevebasshead' post='667634' date='Nov 27 2009, 05:56 PM']My take is similar to the above - first and foremost get [i]absolute [/i]confirmation from the booker that music-wise a) they know exactly what they're getting from your band and b ) they won't get anything else (i.e. some people just seem to think that all they need to do is book "a band" and some sort of witchcraft happens whereby you just know any song they ask for on the night...disappointment ensues shortly thereafter!)

Secondly (and I haven't watched your YouTube link, so I don't know) does your frontman normally have the stagecraft/personality/all out balls to really engage with and win over an audience, especially one that may not take naturally to the blues you play? If he doesn't then I'd add that to the reasons to hesitate because if he doesn't do it naturally it's unlikely he'll be able to bring that out on the night without looking forced and unnatural.

Finally, if your band does do the gig then [b]really[/b] go for it, half measures will be uncomfortable to watch. You'll be playing to an audience who (statistically, by majority) will consist of people who normally [b]don't [/b]go to see local bands, so on the night they just want to watch something entertaining, a show rather than just appreciating the music. Hire suits, hell hire two [i]noticabley[/i] different styles and change between sets (if you're being paid corporate rates you'll have plenty of money to cover the hire). Goof around [i]a little [/i]with your bandmates. Maybe have your harp player put his hands to his mouth to start playing only to have forgotten his harp and one of you has to hand it to him?!? Anything to add to the pizzaz, it's showbiz!

You're right to air your worries to your band, best to get everyone committed one way or the other.

Good luck either way.
Steve.[/quote]

+1 to all the above, but you probably need to watch the link

[stevebasshead]

Nice quiet office now, everyone but me has gone home, just watched the vid. Dem's da bloo's alright! Can see why you're worrying about making it work at a corporate gig..but wait...Hey! I saw people dancing, 5 1/2 minutes in - how much of your rep. is made up of the more up tempo stuff?

Once people have had a drink or several they'll dance and if they're dancing they're having a good time regardless of their normal musical tastes. My band do the odd corporate/wedding do and we give 'em the same indie covers as our pub setlists. All ages and taste's get up and dance with a drink inside them but they'll need encouragement from your singer. Or if you can get your wives/girlfriends into the gig and get them to start dancing others will follow them (we do exactly that if it looks like people aren't going to move themselves).

But ultimately your band needs to be comfortable with doing the gig

Edited November 27, 2009 by stevebasshead

[witterth]

HEY Homer!!!!

If youre REALLY that worried .....

I'll do it, no problem, I mean if it helps you out and all, it would be selfish of me NOT too!!


(I'm going to take the money Chris...)

[maxrossell]

I've never played a corporate gig, but I have booked a handful of them. The rules I followed:

1. Book a professional corporates/weddings band with lots of experience and great references

2. Said band should have a set made up of about 80%-95% #1 or at least immensely popular chart numbers, and no original material

3. Said band needs to submit the setlist at least one working week before the event so it can be reviewed and possibly modified to suit the event organisation


That's why these acts get paid so chuffing much - you need to be sure that they won't go down like a knackered lift, so the above three criteria are absolutely essential, because when I did it if the band went down badly it was my arse on the line.

I don't know if the dude trying to book you guys is under the same sort of pressure as I was (usually entertaining bosses from California and BAe clients), but as far as I can tell from the description of your act and your youtube video, you don't meet any of the three criteria (except maybe number three, but without the other two it's sort of irrelevant). I mean absolutely no criticism by this, but the bunch of pissed old stoners down my local live music/open mic bar would find a straight electric blues act hard to get into, so a bunch of suits at an event they may not even have particularly wanted to attend is going to be tougher going than damp concrete.

That being said, if you fancy the money then take the gig and hopefully it'll go well, but as you say you're in this for the enjoyment, and I'm not sure you'll get much of that from a crowd who probably think that a blues harp is a big triangular frame with lots of strings on it, painted blue.

[JTUK]

I think it is all about being able to deliver what is required.

I can't say whether the booker knows what is what, but I wouldn't be wanting to take a gig that didn't fit the band's style.
I left it up to others and 'it would be all right on the night' a bit too often..we always got away with it but then the set did lend itself to dancing and we had a killer horn section and popular numbers.

No one wants to go down like a lead ballon and from this distance knowing only the info you have posted, I wouldn't be doing it..unless I was convinced by the booker that this was the right act for the evening.

[OldGit]

and get paid before you start playing

[Sean]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='667314' date='Nov 27 2009, 01:18 PM']As regards the hat - if I put a baseball hat on, I look like I'm on one of those outings where someone should be holding my hand.[/quote]

Al, really earthy stuff, man, I like. Screw the baseball cap idiocy, you're a Brit and over 40, get a plain flat cap, a Pork Pie Hat or a trilby (believe me, they would suit you) and then get back to rockin' the joint. Good luck with it fella.

Fabulous hats worthy of any bassist available from [url="http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/cid/7OQNVC79IKYQQOVTO1ZP6RS0VPSGXXKP/Mens-Hats-Cmens_hats/"]here[/url].

[thepurpleblob]

[quote name='Sean' post='667922' date='Nov 28 2009, 01:15 AM']Fabulous hats worthy of any bassist available from [url="http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/cid/7OQNVC79IKYQQOVTO1ZP6RS0VPSGXXKP/Mens-Hats-Cmens_hats/"]here[/url].[/quote]


Cool.... I like the way you sent the link with the session ID so we can see what you are buying........ Indy

[niceguyhomer]

Thanks everyone - just to answer a few questions, none of us have any stage craft as you can see in the vid though in our defence, it was about 2am on a Satuday morning when that was filmed and we were all fooked.

All the stuff we play is up tempo, foot stomping stuff and can be danced to but TBH, unless you're a blueser, it all sounds the same.

I'm gonna talk to the other guys today and get back to y'all.

[OldGit]

[quote name='Sean' post='667922' date='Nov 28 2009, 01:15 AM']Al, really earthy stuff, man, I like. Screw the baseball cap idiocy, you're a Brit and over 40, get a plain flat cap, a Pork Pie Hat or a trilby (believe me, they would suit you) and then get back to rockin' the joint. Good luck with it fella.

Fabulous hats worthy of any bassist available from [url="http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/cid/7OQNVC79IKYQQOVTO1ZP6RS0VPSGXXKP/Mens-Hats-Cmens_hats/"]here[/url].[/quote]


Ah! That's my milliner too
They do a nice Viking helmet ...

[spike]

[quote name='bassace' post='667169' date='Nov 27 2009, 11:00 AM']Just beware the bossy woman with the clipboard. She'll be in a total panic and won't have a clue! Happened to us a few times.[/quote]

I've met her twice. Both occasions I didn't enjoy the gig.

[MacDaddy]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='667036' date='Nov 27 2009, 07:40 AM']I think we'll go down like whaleshit but what the hell, we'll take the money and run.[/quote]

whale sh1t can float, so you'll probably do okay.

[tauzero]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='667164' date='Nov 27 2009, 10:55 AM']2. place enough generic material in the set that you please enough of the people enough of the time (most function bands fit this category)[/quote]
IRTA "genetic material" and I wondered just what percentage of the female members of the audience were usually up for it, seeing as we (the ceilidh band) are just about to do our first corporate gig. I suspect Mrs Zero, who is our caller, would look somewhat askance at me distributing my seed.

[OldGit]

[quote name='tauzero' post='673773' date='Dec 3 2009, 11:34 PM']IRTA "genetic material" and I wondered just what percentage of the female members of the audience were usually up for it, seeing as we (the ceilidh band) are just about to do our first corporate gig. I suspect Mrs Zero, who is our caller, would look somewhat askance at me distributing my seed.[/quote]


Corporate Ceilidh gig?

Make absolutely sure the organiser is making a big deal about it to the punters attending - and calling it a Barn Dance - you need them in checked shirts and pink cowgirl hats rather than suites and tight little skirts
ie set the expectation and don't spring it on them.

Unless you like seeing your caller suffer

[tauzero]

[quote name='OldGit' post='673797' date='Dec 4 2009, 12:11 AM']Corporate Ceilidh gig?

Make absolutely sure the organiser is making a big deal about it to the punters attending - and calling it a Barn Dance - you need them in checked shirts and pink cowgirl hats rather than suites and tight little skirts
ie set the expectation and don't spring it on them.

Unless you like seeing your caller suffer [/quote]
Yes, in the grand tradition of ceilidhs, they don't realise it's a British Isles thing so it's Western dress and a casino at one end of the room. And two bars. And it's a barn dance, not a ceilidh.

As the caller is Mrs Zero, and if she suffers, so do I, I have a vested interest in minimising her suffering. But she's also the one doing the organising from our end and speaking to the corporate organiser so her suffering is in her own hands. It would be nice to get a bit of repeat business out of this one...

[OldGit]

[quote name='tauzero' post='673812' date='Dec 4 2009, 12:27 AM']Yes, in the grand tradition of ceilidhs, they don't realise it's a British Isles thing so it's Western dress and a casino at one end of the room. And two bars. And it's a barn dance, not a ceilidh.

As the caller is Mrs Zero, and if she suffers, so do I, I have a vested interest in minimising her suffering. But she's also the one doing the organising from our end and speaking to the corporate organiser so her suffering is in her own hands. It would be nice to get a bit of repeat business out of this one...[/quote]


Yeah those type 3* audiences can be tricky if not pre-warned whereas if they know it's a ceilidh/barn dance when the decide to come or not, and what to wear and that they have to get up and dance under instruction, it all goes a lot better ...

A begging, pleading and crying caller is only fun for about 5 minutes and probably no fun at all for you if it's the missus ..

We did a couple of gigs a long time back with a caller who got positively abusive to audiences that wouldn't get up and do it.
Not a pretty sight and certainly not the way to get repeat business ....

* Type 3: Captive audiences onto which you have been thrust.