Second attempt

[Excalibur]

OK Folks, I know I posted this early this morning, but it went into the Twilight Zone. :confused:
I'm not looking for sympathy here, just objective comments and advice. This year, I've lost two bookings I wanted and expected, due to bands/Artists providing a "Disco" service as well. I gained one, due to customers thinking their Artist would do this, when he didn't. ;)

The main one is this Friday, when a gig I've done for two years at half price, with fantastic response, has been lost due to the Artist also providing a disco. It may simply be that he puts a CD/MD in the gear, as he finishes a set, he may have a roadie who wants to be a DJ, I don't know. :confused: All I know is that my frock's staying in the wardrobe this year. The organisers have sent me a note at the last minute, inviting me to the evening, but I have a suspicion I may be busy. ;) ;) If the consensus is that it was not a good move, and they come back to me next year, I'm inclined to charge full price.

Your thoughts please.

[CRAZY K]

OK Folks, I know I posted this early this morning, but it went into the Twilight Zone. :confused:
I'm not looking for sympathy here, just objective comments and advice. This year, I've lost two bookings I wanted and expected, due to bands/Artists providing a "Disco" service as well. I gained one, due to customers thinking their Artist would do this, when he didn't. ;)

The main one is this Friday, when a gig I've done for two years at half price, with fantastic response, has been lost due to the Artist also providing a disco. It may simply be that he puts a CD/MD in the gear, as he finishes a set, he may have a roadie who wants to be a DJ, I don't know. :confused: All I know is that my frock's staying in the wardrobe this year. The organisers have sent me a note at the last minute, inviting me to the evening, but I have a suspicion I may be busy. ;) ;) If the consensus is that it was not a good move, and they come back to me next year, I'm inclined to charge full price.

Your thoughts please.

Realistically do you recover gigs where people know they made a mistake but dont have the guts to tell you and lose face by booking you again?

No one likes to admit they were wrong.

I dont have situations like this now, but in my DJ only days I seem to recall thats exactly what happened--they didnt admit their mistake--they just booked someone else:mad:

Im not sure why its worth worrying about if its a half price gig--I wouldnt go--just mention you cant make it and if your fans at the venue( presumably there are some) are not satisfied with Elvis or whoever the Entertainer is you are available at full price ( as you say )

I cant imagine he (Elvis) has the same quality sound system or lights---but maybe they dont notice these things.

The REAL problem is if you put on a great show the inexperienced idiot bookers sometimes think every one is as good as you at your job---

Ive done several fantastic nights at a Burns Night in Herfordshire for years but this year im not being asked---do I care---nah--;)

Ive been booked for a local one up here already on better money.

B////////s to them Peter:cool:

The only one I have recovered recently is for a Western evening where I played a blinder a few years ago, then nothing the following year, year after that I got the call again---NOTHING WAS SAID.

When I was chatting to venue staff prior to starting they said--we remember you blinding night a couple of years ago--yeah what happened last year I said--oh pretty hopeless they said--

No one was admitting they b.....d it up:D :D :D

regards

ALAN
CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

Thanks for your thoughts Crazy. :D Forthright at least. ;)
It's not the money, it's the fact that I was involved in the inaugural one, entered into the spirit of the thing, gave a tremendous service at a very good price, and still get sawn off by "Elvis". :bang:

[Penfold42]

The organisers have sent me a note at the last minute, inviting me to the evening, but I have a suspicion I may be busy. ;) ;) If the consensus is that it was not a good move, and they come back to me next year, I'm inclined to charge full price.

Your thoughts please.

Don't blame you...and busy you may be on that day.......

....let them reflect on how it use to be as I'm sure you did a great turn....I know I've seen the photo's ......;)

I know it's not about money....it's the banter....I'm sure they will come back......mark it down to trying other people out...:) ...you can't lose..;) :)

[Tony Scott]

It hurts doesn't it Pete, I'd try to see it as their loss!

I had a similar thing happen a couple of weeks ago, the Wedding band said they'd do a disco for £50 extra so I got cancelled.

That was the 3rd cancellation for the same date.......gave up in the end and took my beautiful wife out with the £150 from deposits I'd collected, result! :approve:

I used to only charge £30 deposit but I feel safer with the £50 as it's a bit more of a commitment.

[Penfold42]

It hurts doesn't it Pete, I'd try to see it as their loss!

:agree:

[Danno13]

Its interesting looking at the enquiries on GoodParty, most people seem to want to book their band and DJ together, so I wonder how many bands are just saying "yeah, we can DJ too" when they really should be pointing people in the direction of proper DJs, not their drummer who can put a couple of CDs on.

That said, I'm sure some bands may actually have a member whose a good DJ too.. but its probably the exception.

[Tony Scott]

Its interesting looking at the enquiries on GoodParty, most people seem to want to book their band and DJ together, so I wonder how many bands are just saying "yeah, we can DJ too" when they really should be pointing people in the direction of proper DJs, not their drummer who can put a couple of CDs on.

That said, I'm sure some bands may actually have a member whose a good DJ too.. but its probably the exception.

I think I'll get a guitar and use my Karaoke tunes as backing tracks, turn the tables a bit: www.partyshopdiscoandweddingbanddorset.co.uk .........how hard can it be? :D

[Excalibur]

I think I'll get a guitar and use my Karaoke tunes as backing tracks, turn the tables a bit: www.partyshopdiscoandweddingbanddorset.co.uk .........how hard can it be? :D

Too late. Nigel's beaten you to it! :D :D :D :D

[nigelwright7557]

Say the band costs £500 and the disco £250 then surely its saving an awful lot of money by getting the band to play some cds ? The bands PA is already there so its not costing anything more for a CD playing ghetto blaster plugged into the bands mixer. Even an IPOD would suffice. The last wedding disco I did only used an IPOD supplied by the groom.

It also saves the band the embarassment of a disco playing better music than they do for half the price !

[Danno13]

If people want their guests to leave at 10.30 when the band finishes then I guess its ok, but if they want the party to continue then they need something else. "playing a few CDs" doesn't compare to a DJ.. unless you're doing it wrong!

The longer people think of themselves as just "Speakers & Lights", the longer they'll remain at budget hire prices!

[rob1963]

Sorry to hear about this, Excalibur.

Firstly, it's nice to know that I'm not the only person who does posts which disappear into the twilight zone.

Secondly, If they've invited you along, if I was you I'd definately go...purely out of curiosity as to what the other "disco" is like.

[One Vision]

Say the band costs £500 and the disco £250 then surely its saving an awful lot of money by getting the band to play some cds ? The bands PA is already there so its not costing anything more for a CD playing ghetto blaster plugged into the bands mixer. Even an IPOD would suffice. The last wedding disco I did only used an IPOD supplied by the groom.

It also saves the band the embarassment of a disco playing better music than they do for half the price !

Although I agree there, they are saving money, but discos are not just about playing music but the whole atmosphere that the DJ creates.
A chimpanzee can be trained to play a CD.

[soundtracker]

If people want their guests to leave at 10.30 when the band finishes then I guess its ok, but if they want the party to continue then they need something else. "playing a few CDs" doesn't compare to a DJ.. unless you're doing it wrong!

The longer people think of themselves as just "Speakers & Lights", the longer they'll remain at budget hire prices!

Spot and indeed on! I wonder at times if this forum is a complete waste of time and energy!

[djsteve10]

There is a band that I know trade around yorkshire and their DJ is just the sound engineer using Itunes.

[pagan_flame]

Say the band costs £500 and the disco £250 then surely its saving an awful lot of money by getting the band to play some cds ? The bands PA is already there so its not costing anything more for a CD playing ghetto blaster plugged into the bands mixer. Even an IPOD would suffice. The last wedding disco I did only used an IPOD supplied by the groom.

It also saves the band the embarassment of a disco playing better music than they do for half the price !

Say the band costs 500 quid - that level of band will not have an equivalent sound and light show to a mobile DJ for 250 quid, more likely to have a pair of 15"s on poles and some par cans on stands.

I did a pickup gig a couple of weeks ago with a Beatles tribute band; they were spot on in every department musically and visually... but had the aforementioned 2 speakers on poles and no lights at all; their fee was £1500!

Like the people who book Disco Dave from the Dog & Duck for 50 quid to save money, they will realise on the night the mistake they made.

[CRAZY K]

If people want their guests to leave at 10.30 when the band finishes then I guess its ok, but if they want the party to continue then they need something else. "playing a few CDs" doesn't compare to a DJ.. unless you're doing it wrong!

The longer people think of themselves as just "Speakers & Lights", the longer they'll remain at budget hire prices!

And the drummer in the band wont want to be a DJ until 2am for peanuts:D

CRAZY K

[theoloyla]

Sorry to hear that Pete. Not much I can add other than its annoying.

[ppentertainments]

I think a lot of bands like music to 'compliment' their set.

I played with a band a couple of weeks ago. Having not played with them or heard them before I rang them for a chat about timing, space requirements etc. They told me that they always advise customers not to hire a DJ as well as they will play music in between sets. The customer had gone against this advise as I actually played at there engagement party as well. The band told me 'not to bother turning up if I want as I will not be needed'. The bride had however given me instruction to 'get people up and repeat what I done for their engagement', which is obviously what I intended. I turned up to the venue and, as usual, was stuck in a bay window. Set up, sound check and now 10 mins till people were due to arrive, still no band. Band turns up and tells hotel manager not to let people into room for another hour as they will not be ready. I just went along with whatever the hotel told me.

The singer then came across with a list of songs for me to play on between their sets :eek: :eek: with the exact words being 'play these and nothing else'.

Anyway guests arrive and I play as I normally would, band plays first set then its over to me again. No-one was up but I managed to get most people up when singer came across to ask 'what I was playing at'. I should not get people up as I am only there for background music (bride had told me different). Buffet was served, band again, over to me again. Bride then comes across asking if I will play to end as she was going to ask band not to play their final set. And so thats how it finished.

I am not trying to brag here and maybe I was in the wrong, maybe I should have been more accomadating to the band, it was just their attitude of 'we are the main performers, you are only the disco'.

Must say, they were a good band I thought.

[CRAZY K]

when singer came across to ask 'what I was playing at'. I should not get people up as I am only there for background music (bride had told me different).



I think thats when I would have told the guy that the customer pays me not him and tells me what to do and suggest politely he go forth and multiply.

Its extraordinary how Bands appear to think they are superior to all other forms of Entertainment--they are not.

CRAZY K

[PropellerHeadCase]

Having played on stage with Tim Finn (whom I'm sure many of you have heard of... Split Enz, Crowded House, etc.), and having got 10 times as many people dancing (which was disappointing as thay played a great set and I was in awe) it's clear that bands have no room to have that attitude (Tim was extremely polite and self-effacing and I found us discussing DJing rather than his musical history).

[DJ INDIE]

I am not trying to brag here and maybe I was in the wrong, maybe I should have been more accomadating to the band, it was just their attitude of 'we are the main performers, you are only the disco'.



that bands attitude stinks!

if anything as a band you want the DJ to get people warmed up, in the mood and up dancing, not have them bored and then go on cold. Dont know what they were thinking.

they had no right to tell you not to turn up! or what to play. there are polite ways of asking somebody else to do their job to help you along which this band for some reason chose to ignore.

as for previous worries, I dont thnk in the long run good DJs have anything to worry about of 'wannabe' band members taking over for a cheaper price - its VERY hard work doing both. VERY hard. (if done properly). Certainly not worth £50 extra on top of your band fee (even if you are already at the venue). If I dont get a fee for the band and a good separate DJing fee, I just do the band and let someone else have the cheap DJing job. It seems a good idea at first, but after a few gigs for little reward, many will leave the DJing to others or put their prices in line, which brings all other DJs back into contention.

Good on you for trying to contact the band to sort out upfront. In 10years playing, we never had one ring us, you didnt deserve the negative and rude answer from them.

[Excalibur]

It hurts doesn't it Pete, I'd try to see it as their loss!

.
It B well does! :mad:


Sorry to hear about this, Excalibur.

Firstly, it's nice to know that I'm not the only person who does posts which disappear into the twilight zone.

Secondly, If they've invited you along, if I was you I'd definately go...purely out of curiosity as to what the other "disco" is like.

I shan't go Rob, it costs money to get me to wear a frock. :D
However,I shall have more than one trusted spy in the gig. ;) ;) :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

it costs money to get me to wear a frock.

And I thought you were going to wear it to my 40th...:(

[JAMdisco]

as for previous worries, I dont thnk in the long run good DJs have anything to worry about of 'wannabe' band members taking over for a cheaper price - its VERY hard work doing both. VERY hard. (if done properly).


I can certainly vouch for this. My first ever disco at the back end of my solo singing career (by choice) I did a gig at Beverley Leisure centre and was asked if I'd do both. Silly me agreed to do it. At the end I was completely knackered and swore I'd never do it again.
A guy rang me up about 6 months later and wanted to book me for his wedding as he'd seen me at the Leisure centre. I said I'm only doing disco's now and not both. I reckon I could have earned a lot from this gig but I stuck to my guns.

When I play with bands I usually ask them for a set list so I don't duplicate any songs, not that it really matters but I think it's a little more professional.
If the band told ME what to play, I'd tell them to stuff off. :mad:

[KaraokeDJ]

That said, I'm sure some bands may actually have a member whose a good DJ too.. but its probably the exception.

You've actually given me an idea... I can sing! So can I promote myself as 'Vocalist included'...?

No thanks. One or the other and I wish these bands, many who are very good at what they do, would leave the disco to people who do it and nothing else.

If, while booking a disco, I was asked if I know a decent vocalist, I would not say YES ME, I would guide the customer to someone else or a directory.

[Excalibur]

I shan't go Rob, it costs money to get me to wear a frock. :D



And I thought you were going to wear it to my 40th...:(

Now that would be telling. ;) ;) So many to choose from, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Siouxsie Sioux, Poly Styrene, Hazel O'Connor in a flasher mac on top of the pops, Debbie Harry, Tina Turner( Don't think I've got enough gravy browning for that one), Janet Krankie, or even Divine? :confused: ;) ;) :D :D

[JAMdisco]

Now that would be telling. ;) ;) So many to choose from, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Siouxsie Sioux, Poly Styrene, Hazel O'Connor in a flasher mac on top of the pops, Debbie Harry, Tina Turner( Don't think I've got enough gravy browning for that one), Janet Krankie, or even Divine? :confused: ;) ;) :D :D

You could always go for the self tanning option, I hear that the St. Tropez line is very good :p ;) :D :D

[Excalibur]

You could always go for the self tanning option, I hear that the St. Tropez line is very good :p ;) :D :D

Nobody's getting near my important little parts with a wax strip, thank you very much! ;)

[PropellerHeadCase]

Nobody's getting near my important little parts with a wax strip, thank you very much! ;)

Fair enough, a razor works just fine ;)

[Excalibur]

Fair enough, a razor works just fine ;)

How can I put this delicately on a family friendly forum?:confused:
Bog off you Antipodean Upstart. Mention of sharp blades and the Family Jewels in the same sentence is not going to happen! ;) ;)