Don't take first impressions for granted
I don’t often post about gigs as to be honest most are a bit of a blur by the time Monday morning comes around, but I did have 1 memorable weekend not so long ago that has really taught me a big lesson about first impressions.
I turned up at a venue for an all-day wedding, setup as normal but did notice a lot more tables/chairs than normal. Turns out numbers just kept increasing – to the stage there was too many in the room.
The wedding coordinator came in with some news “We have just found out it is in fact a gypsy wedding”. Prior to this alarm bells never sounded as the usual signs (pay in cash, demanding etc) weren’t there – but alarm bells were suddenly very active.
They arrived for reception drinks – bringing own drink in, smoking inside, kids running riot – you get the picture and I was worried I have to admit. Made necessary precautionary measures (ie a very quick get out if needed) and then tried to put it to the back of my mind. I was worried that I had my Starcloth, uplighting etc in but they had paid for it so nothing I could do.
Into the room they came and they were having a buffet instead of sit down meal and wanted it table by table. Oh jees, no chance I thought.
Anyway to jump to the result – they were really polite, no problems (one fight outside but nothing major). The buffet ran as smooth as you could imagine and in record time, any requests were finished with a please, one request I couldn’t find was met with “no problem at all you are doing a great job”. Yes I was hammered with requests but don’t mind that and everyone had a great time.
Move onto the next day and I had 42 people, B&G in their 60s, not many kids and a very nice venue.
The result – a fight at the end of the night and the police called out.
Would never believe it haha
If only they were all like this!
Turn up early, get access to the stage which is a short walk from the automatic doors, been paid a fortnight earlier, with a musical remit of 70s, 80s, and floorfillers, early finish, and a hog roast sarnie as well! :eek::D
It's a customer I've worked for before, last year was a fund raising Ball in a Golf Club, this year it was a " Back to School" fancy dress party in a small council hall. The only similarities were the guests, and their enthusiasm for a party. Dear me, but did we have fun? :party2::banana::DJ::jumping:
Yes! We did. As a council venue, we had to be out before midnight, so the fact that the contracted midnight finish would be 11pm didn't come as a great shock. Welcome surprise, yes. Shock, no. :) I took the Powerbar for lighting, coupled with a pair of Crossfire XPs, and the trusty Proel V15s for sound. Every time I use them, I realise how good they are.
Once guests arrived, we just went into party mode, and never stopped. Manyof them had gone to town with the outfits, and I got much praise for my Headmaster outfit! ( And before anyone asks, no I didn't have to adminster the cane to any naughty persons of either gender ) The raffle gave us time to catch a breath, and off we went till finish time. I played the last ( bonus) song with house lights on, as I derigged the lights, and then lost the time I'd saved chatting to delighted guests who wanted to thank me! The trials of a mobile DJ, eh?
Unusually, I was home with a hot coffee from Ronald's emporium at 11.57pm, with a big smile on my face. Bliss.