How was your gig last night?

[NancyJohnson]

We played a shoebox in Shirley, Southampton. Barely made double figures in attendance. Sometimes I ask myself, 'What's the point?'

On the upside, we got paid, and sold six CDs and four t-shirts.

[radiophonic]

Just back from an early afternoon set over in Sherwood for a bunch of folkies. I swear, every Guardian reader in North Nottingham must have been there. A bit worthy for my tastes, but we went down well. Playing again tonight as part of Oxjam in Beeston. My strings are dead but it's too late in the day to risk changing them.

[KevB]

If you are playing very late I might be able to catch you. Got a meal in Dunkirk to attend but passing through Beeston on way home.

Meanwhile I just scraped through (by my preferred standard) a gig with some fairly 'senior' guys last night, I jammed with them as they are currently without a bass player but had to inform them they arent really what I'm after long term. However I'm prepared to help out until someone permanent takes up the reigns and I'll help them flesh their set out. We did an hour last night in a band members back garden (unpaid, look away now Blue) as part of an annual little music fest for their village. Next door neighbour also had a little stage area and the acts alternated, mostly doing 2 or 3 songs each then us fogies finished the night off. Partisan crowd so couldnt go wrong with them really though I managed to drop a few clangers through rust (first gig in 3 months) and lack of preparation (only did a couple of proper rehearsals with them prior to gig), had some songs to learn from scratch in not a lot of time. Other band members seemed happy enough though I noticed I think I was the only band member not using cheat sheets or phone prompts for chords, lyrics etc. One of the reasons I'm not making this project a priority...

[Len_derby]

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1498922448' post='3328002']
. I swear, every Guardian reader in North Nottingham must have been there.
[/quote]

Hope the houmous was good John! Good luck tonight.
A rare weekend off for me this summer. A chance to properly to try my birthday whiskey. Scapa from Orkney.

[spike]

can't believe it's only just gone nine and I'm back from my gig already. We were the opening band at a soul music festival in Dunstable, played for an hour from 6.30 to 7.30, got paid more than we usually get for a standard pub gig plus free food too.

[FinnDave]

We played 5-6 this afternoon at a benefit gig in Swindon. Were told the backline was provided, which turned out to be wrong, Luckily, the guitarist had his amp in the car, and I had asked the harp man to bring my Ashdown EB 180 combo as I am planning to sell it, but it came in handy today! The band after us was a bit late so we kept going with increasing 'out there' material. Seemed to go down well, guess they were all as crazy as us!

Edited July 2, 2017 by FinnDave

[skidder652003]

emptied the Till pretty much playing to about a dozen people in a pub in Crediton, how they can keep this going is beyond me, lovely staff, free drinks all night, perhaps thats half the problem

[T-Bay]

Just got back from an afternoon slot at a local fundraiser. We used it as a chance to try out some new stuff for an upcoming gig and it went very well. Some of the songs we have only run through once but all went well. It was hot though playing outside for two hours and the last couple of songs lacked our usual energy as we were a bit knackered. It went down well and we have been asked if we would do it again next year.

[Froggy]

I can finally post in this thread w00p!

Played my first ever gig last night at a small private festival to about 75 people. A few minor hiccups on our part, and overpowering keys and BV due to the organiser insisting on handling the sound, but all in all the set went down well and we've been hearing good things from people that were there. Can't wait for the next one now.

[Tony p]

Roystonbury festival yesterday, scorchingly hot, my hands started cramping up on the first song, lovely even sound though from an engineer who's mixed us loads of times, played through a supplied gk amp and a 2x10 mounted up near my ears which sounded great, went down really well and had a most excellent time watching my little boy dancing about banging a bodhran in the crowd he was in time too!

[leschirons]

Not good. French wedding reception at a huge rented chateau. Fell foul of the Nazi catering company. Made us set up in different area and later than planned, actually stopped us playing twice during our first set due to their inefficient service, and we ended up in an open sided garden marquee as opposed to under a covered terrace. (They did actually get a rollicking from the bride and groom for spoiling the flow of the whole evening)

We played, and went down well but the gig wasn't what I'd call good.

[yorks5stringer]

3 gigs this weekend. Saturday Night depping with a Blues Band in Glasto was dire, drummer far too loud and everyone else then far too loud as well. I was wearing ear plugs but could not hear myself due to the overall sound level. Band mixed own sound too...I've told them I never wish to play with them again....

Sunday pm at Frome Food Market, couldn't be more of a contrast, great sound by Luke from Nomad and a 45 minute set with Hello Hopeville, our Americana band. Only issue is all the roads get closed in the town centre so a bit of a pain lugging Bass and small combo too.

Sunday evening was back in Glasto with Mofuso (Motown, funk and soul). A storming set from our twin singers and given the last 2 rehearsals have been without them, they did a great job. We did all forget how "I need your love so bad" went, so abandoned it!

[Telebass]

Saturday headline at small private festival in Lifton, Devon. Got on late, 10pm, and played unbroken until 1. Great crowd, much fun had! But a bit knackering!
Sound guy impressed with Markbass CMD121H which was extended with a supplied GK 4x10, and impressed with the new strings too. He's a bassist, of course!

[cheddatom]

an all day punk festival in North Wales on Saturday. It seemed a bit dead and the sound was pretty bad for the band on before us. We weren't looking forward to it at all, and for whatever reason I'd been knackered all day .As soon as we started playing, people came down to the front, started dancing and singing and cheering... instant adrenaline! I woke right up and we all played the best for ages

[gary mac]

[quote name='Froggy' timestamp='1499019839' post='3328645']
I can finally post in this thread w00p!

Played my first ever gig last night at a small private festival to about 75 people. A few minor hiccups on our part, and overpowering keys and BV due to the organiser insisting on handling the sound, but all in all the set went down well and we've been hearing good things from people that were there. Can't wait for the next one now.
[/quote]

Congrats and very well done Froggy.

[radiophonic]

Saturday night was the Oxfam 'Oxjam' (Semi-) Acoustic night in Beeston. A warm up of sorts for the Oxjam Takeover in October (18 venues confirmed and we're playing that too). We played third out of four, and limited our material to things that could be adapted to an acoustic guitar and relied more heavily on violin than keys. Aside from more of the mystery 80Hz feedback intruding badly on the final song and making the pitching of the vocals a exercise in guesswork, all was good. Enthusiastic (if somewhat older and largely seated) crowd and plenty of people wanting to know when we were playing again. The recording reveals us to be tighter than I'd thought we were. It also reveals that someone called Christine had ordered a curry but seemed reluctant to collect it. Two gigs in one day is quite tiring though, even playing shorter sets.

[AntLockyer]

Game of two halves this weekend. Friday we played to about 40 people, 2 of them clapped the rest just looked coked out of their heads and not interested. Got told to turn down by the barman twice. Meh

Saturday few more people, but the layout of the venue made it seem much busier. Hugely knowledgable crowd, good banter, very receptive and due to a tip jar going round we made more money than normal.

[Woodinblack]

Two great gigs. Local friendly pub, good money, not a huge crowd but very appreciative and enthusiastic. We did pretty well. Following morning, set up 9am in truck in a field, played 11-12 1-2 and 3-4 for a charity at an outdoor event with lots of classic cars and was actually ok. Sun hit the front of the stage in the last 15 mins of the last set, and got sunburn from that. God knows what the people who had been sitting out in the sun watching for a few hours were like today!

[NancyJohnson]

We played Southampton on Friday night, then did a showcase (for the B-stage at Marvellous Festival) at Jagz, Ascot early Sunday evening (see below) and then headlined a punky festival in Maidenhead, Berkshire Sunday night.

[oldslapper]

Nice shot from last night with Jo Burt experience, after last encore.
https://goo.gl/photos/BqfUWLD3U6Y8EDJ89

[mcnach]

Busy gig at Whistle Binkies last night in Edinburgh. Bittersweet. Sweet because it was (mostly) fun and people were really into it and dancing etc. We seem to have a group of Spanish followers who start sharing our gig announcements when we play in town which is awesome, as they are very highly energetic and very appreciative.
However, yesterday a group of them showed up for our second set, already in very 'high spirits'. The thing is this bar is small... and it was already a bit crowded. I'm all for dancing and pushing a bit (lots of ska) but when it's so busy you need to be a bit considerate and watch what you're doing, so you don't just kick and punch people around you... You're not the only one dancing there.

My girlfriend was there with a group of friends and they were very much pushed to one side. No great, but hey. But it wasn't enough apparently. I saw her being pushed quite hard a couple of times. The third one, she turned around and pushed the guy in question... I wished she'd just tell him, in first instance, to please be more careful. But she didn't. Well. The guy reacted by pushing her hard again.
It took a lot of self restraint to not jump out and punch him.

My girlfriend then just went to the far side and stood there, not dancing anymore. The guy, to his credit, moved away to the other side, clearly not wanting to escalate things. But I was very annoyed at his reaction. I carried on playing but I was just watching and trying to see my girlfriend. I didn't manage until the song was over. She looked at me. She wasn't happy and touched her back as if to say it hurt. I mouthed a "you OK?" which was silly as she clearly wasn't. She pointed at the guy. I knew who he was. But I saw him there laughing, and her in pain, and I snapped.

As my singer was introducing the next song, I put my bass down and came off stage to the guy. I asked him if he was Spanish. She said yes... Perfect, so I could communicate very accurately in my mother tongue what I thought about his behaviour, and that if so much as grazes any one of that group again, I'll come out again and punch the lights out of him.
Not my best moment. I would have achieved a lot more by at least initially offering him a nice way out: he was probably just not aware of how their aggressive dancing was affecting others that had been happily dancing there before in the same busy floor. I could have just asked him to please be careful, that I loved their energy and all that but that he had clearly hurt someone, who happened to be my girlfriend, and we want *everybody* to have a good time, and that I would not tolerate inconsiderate behaviour, or something along those lines... but unfortunately I was in 'seek and destroy' mode. So I directly threatened him.
He didn't take it very well and said that we should go outside maybe. I laughed and I said that I'd happily do so once we finish our set, and warned him once more to stay away that group. Then went back onstage to the bemusement of my bandmates... and we launched into the next song... and all was ok.

The guy stayed there, and after a minute he was again smiling and having fun. Cool. So was I.

Then we finish.

He was gone.
Just as well. I really didn't want to get into that kind of thing. Although I did want to tell him that my approach had been a bit heavy handed and I regretted my manners, but not the message.

A separate 'incident'... another guy leaned onto the stage and took the beer from one of the guitarists and drank from it. The guitarist was amazed and amused... "what are you doing? do you just walk into somebody's home, open their fridge and eat their food without asking???" They bought him another beer. They guy was a bit out of it and I guess he just saw a glass and didn't think.

I like playing in bars, but sometimes... it's a test.

[gjones]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1499541798' post='3332120']
Busy gig at Whistle Binkies last night in Edinburgh. Bittersweet. Sweet because it was (mostly) fun and people were really into it and dancing etc. We seem to have a group of Spanish followers who start sharing our gig announcements when we play in town which is awesome, as they are very highly energetic and very appreciative.
However, yesterday a group of them showed up for our second set, already in very 'high spirits'. The thing is this bar is small... and it was already a bit crowded. I'm all for dancing and pushing a bit (lots of ska) but when it's so busy you need to be a bit considerate and watch what you're doing, so you don't just kick and punch people around you... You're not the only one dancing there.

My girlfriend was there with a group of friends and they were very much pushed to one side. No great, but hey. But it wasn't enough apparently. I saw her being pushed quite hard a couple of times. The third one, she turned around and pushed the guy in question... I wished she'd just tell him, in first instance, to please be more careful. But she didn't. Well. The guy reacted by pushing her hard again.
It took a lot of self restraint to not jump out and punch him.

My girlfriend then just went to the far side and stood there, not dancing anymore. The guy, to his credit, moved away to the other side, clearly not wanting to escalate things. But I was very annoyed at his reaction. I carried on playing but I was just watching and trying to see my girlfriend. I didn't manage until the song was over. She looked at me. She wasn't happy and touched her back as if to say it hurt. I mouthed a "you OK?" which was silly as she clearly wasn't. She pointed at the guy. I knew who he was. But I saw him there laughing, and her in pain, and I snapped.

As my singer was introducing the next song, I put my bass down and came off stage to the guy. I asked him if he was Spanish. She said yes... Perfect, so I could communicate very accurately in my mother tongue what I thought about his behaviour, and that if so much as grazes any one of that group again, I'll come out again and punch the lights out of him.
Not my best moment. I would have achieved a lot more by at least initially offering him a nice way out: he was probably just not aware of how their aggressive dancing was affecting others that had been happily dancing there before in the same busy floor. I could have just asked him to please be careful, that I loved their energy and all that but that he had clearly hurt someone, who happened to be my girlfriend, and we want *everybody* to have a good time, and that I would not tolerate inconsiderate behaviour, or something along those lines... but unfortunately I was in 'seek and destroy' mode. So I directly threatened him.
He didn't take it very well and said that we should go outside maybe. I laughed and I said that I'd happily do so once we finish our set, and warned him once more to stay away that group. Then went back onstage to the bemusement of my bandmates... and we launched into the next song... and all was ok.

The guy stayed there, and after a minute he was again smiling and having fun. Cool. So was I.

Then we finish.

He was gone.
Just as well. I really didn't want to get into that kind of thing. Although I did want to tell him that my approach had been a bit heavy handed and I regretted my manners, but not the message.

A separate 'incident'... another guy leaned onto the stage and took the beer from one of the guitarists and drank from it. The guitarist was amazed and amused... "what are you doing? do you just walk into somebody's home, open their fridge and eat their food without asking???" They bought him another beer. They guy was a bit out of it and I guess he just saw a glass and didn't think.

I like playing in bars, but sometimes... it's a test.
[/quote]

Mercy, the singer from Size queen, got dragged off stage by her hair at Binkies last month, by some crazy woman.

We've never had any aggro from punters,while playing there, but had had the odd drunk attempt to get on the stage. We usually just boot them off and when they get smart call the door staff who escort them off the premises.

It's worthwhile getting to know the bouncers, they can come in very useful when the audience gets a bit too high spirited:)

[Froggy]

Played my second gig tonight. Weirdly I felt more nervous beforehand than I did for my very first gig.
New one on me, we played a village fete, I didn't even know these things had bands on. Set went down great with the punters and the lady organising paid us an extra 50 quid and booked us to play again at the end of next month. Result!
I'm still buzzing now, I just wish I had started learning to play when I was younger.

Edited July 8, 2017 by Froggy

[FinnDave]

Played two gigs with the Wirebirds today. The first was at Chinnor Bike Dayz, near Princes Risborough, from half five til half six. Decent size stage with PA and soundman, so we just needed backline and drums. I used my Epiphone Thunderbird through ABM 600 and Barefaced Super Twin, which made everything in the marquee pulse! Good set and we were paid before we started, as the organiser knew we had to make a sharp getaway afterwards.

The second gig was a private party at a club in Swindon, best part of an hour and half's drive from the first gig. Somehow, we manage to finish the first gig on time, brea down our gear, load the cars, drive to Swindon, unload and set up (our PA this time) and be ready for a nine o'clock start. Just. Used the same bass but gave my Super Compact and Routemaster 800 its first outing. Very effective it was too!

Both venues want to rebook us, we had a lot of fun, got paid...what more could we ask?

[mcnach]

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1499555380' post='3332211']
Mercy, the singer from Size queen, got dragged off stage by her hair at Binkies last month, by some crazy woman.

We've never had any aggro from punters,while playing there, but had had the odd drunk attempt to get on the stage. We usually just boot them off and when they get smart call the door staff who escort them off the premises.

It's worthwhile getting to know the bouncers, they can come in very useful when the audience gets a bit too high spirited:)
[/quote]

Oh yeah... the bouncers are usually great there and they know us well. I like a couple of them especially. One night I was loading my car at the back alley, and a drunk guy started pestering me to give him a lift home (???)... nothing to worry about but annoying as hell when you're tired and just want to get home. The bouncer was watching and gave me a look and just mouthed "all ok?" then I gave him a nod and smiled, and that's it. I was very glad to know that he'd help if I needed it. Cool guys.

Last month I was playing there with another band and had a guy coming on stage for a bit, and he was a bit annoying but harmless, we got rid off him... and then he took his willy out in front of the stage and peed there. (???) That place attracts some crazy characters... but it can often be pretty cool. Binkies has been very very good for my main band. We got seen by a lot of casual audiences who didn't go there to see us but just to see live music, and who would then start following us, and we got tons of gig offers from people who saw us there. It's got a special place in my heart... but yeah, sometimes I could do without of the stuff that goes on there.

Oh, the characters we meet there! Gus the ganster! Three or four years ago... this guy comes talking about all the people he knows, The Specials, and lots of others... he's in the industry.. but he's also a gangster... He had a bunch of £50 notes... he gave one of our girls one to bring us drinks and keep the change - which she did ... He wanted us to go party at his hotel room afterwards. We politely declined. Next we hear he's telling everybody he is our manager and we're going to do this and that...
Last time we saw him he was there at another of our gigs, he was completely drunk and fell asleep on the side... and it smelled like he had sh*t himself. We never saw him again...