When sharing with bands

[soundmaster mobile disco]

I have recently shared 2 weddings with bands and have noticed the delay between songs is ridiculous,how do they get away with charging a big fee and only playing for a fraction of the time?

Its very annoying for us djs

[Corabar Steve]

Because, unlike us, they actually have to learn the songs that they play.

I agree however, that leaving long gaps between songs is bad form for a band.

[Excalibur]

Because, unlike us, they actually have to learn the songs that they play.

I agree however, that leaving long gaps between songs is bad form for a band.

Perhaps they could have someone filling in the gaps between songs with witty, educational and amusing chatter, much like some of us do? :sofa:

[Corabar Steve]

I don't leave any gaps between songs, so I don't need any of that :sj:

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Whats worse is duos who dont do their full 2x 45mins.

I was working with one a few months ago and they were lucky if they done 45 minutes all together...but the B&G didnt notice because everything was running late anyway.

[NKR]

I love working with bands and do so quite regular. We tend to have a good crack and I am generally in awe of their massive sound system. Fun Time Frankies 3 box logic system is awesome and all driven by Chevins. Beautiful.

The thing with bands is its hard to fake it. Unfortunately as long as you have some lights, speakers and a device for playing tunes you are a DJ. The public perception not mine!!!

[Danno13]

What's even more annoying is ones who babble on for ages when they finish, giving everyone enough time to leave the dance floor by the time I can get a word/song in edgeways!

[rob1963]

Perhaps they could have someone filling in the gaps between songs with witty, educational and amusing chatter, much like some of us do? :sofa:

Oh...I thought you were a DJ - not a comedian!

:shrug:

[BeerFunk]

The thing with bands is its hard to fake it. Unfortunately as long as you have some lights, speakers and a device for playing tunes you are a DJ. The public perception not mine!!!Hard to fake it? I don't think so.

The 'band' that my friend hired for his wedding had three members in it, and one was the female vocalist. So that was two musicians, who were somehow managing to churn out bass, rhythm and lead guitar, keyboard and drums (without the presence of a drum kit) between them.

I'm sure people noticed, but obviously no-one cared, as they just wanted a drink and a dance!

[Mark Wild]

I have recently shared 2 weddings with bands and have noticed the delay between songs is ridiculous,how do they get away with charging a big fee and only playing for a fraction of the time?

Its very annoying for us djs

A good band shouldn't have huge gaps between songs, there should be a professional transition between them.

[rob1963]

I've never noticed any bands leaving big gaps between songs.

The main problems I've had with bands are firstly when they take up too much room, leaving me with hardly space to set up in and secondly the fact that 9 times out of 10 they're way too loud.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

a good band will have a frontman who can chat and banter abit between songs

[PropellerHeadCase]

The band responsible for the longest gaps between songs when playing live onstage that I've seen?

AC/DC :(

Terrible, terrible concert.

[Mark Wild]

a good band will have a frontman who can chat and banter abit between songs

a good bands frontman won't have time for "chat and banter" between songs. ;)

[soundmaster mobile disco]

[

The main problems I've had with bands are firstly when they take up too much room, leaving me with hardly space to set up in and secondly the fact that 9 times out of 10 they're way too loud.[/QUOTE]



I have to agree with you on that one rob

[soundmaster mobile disco]

The last 2 functions which i have shared with bands,they have been scottish celidh bands,I think they have to stop between the different dances,its not like they can do a 10 to 15 minute megamix\medley.

Still annoying though watching people finish the dance go sit down then the band announce the next dance.Why do they not say "stay on the floor the next dance is ??????.

[djsteve10]

Well we all envy the bad bands at times. They can take up far too much room so you find yourself setting off early and getting to the venue early to beat the band so you can get setup in the decent sized space.

I have worked with some really good bands and some terrible bands but I treat them all the same when working and just get on and do my job.

[NKR]

[QUOTE=BeerFunk;375452]

The 'band' that my friend hired for his wedding had three members in it, and one was the female vocalist. So that was two musicians, who were somehow managing to churn out bass, rhythm and lead guitar, keyboard and drums (without the presence of a drum kit) between them.

[QUOTE]

Not a cheap hobby a band how about going to see them first. I wouldn't fork out that money without having done so.

Good one's are good and I have worked with a few. Yes they are roomy, but they also do half the night for you for the same money, which is sweet. Kev and I can sometimes be heard shouting "more, more" at the end of a set. Half the problem on space comes when the person booking the function has no concept of space and thats how you end up on top of each other.

I have found if you approach it right with a band it works fine. Again I am sure some of you have worked with heads of door handles.

They can be touch loud. Its those big systems

P.S. Neal Diamond stood on one of my cables when set up in front of me partially removing it from the back of my box. I was not impressed with him when it came the rest of the way out during the first dance. Lucky I had second copy in spare deck ready to go.

[sted]

[QUOTE=BeerFunk;375452]P.S. Neal Diamond stood on one of my cables when set up in front of me partially removing it from the back of my box. I was not impressed with him when it came the rest of the way out during the first dance. Lucky I had second copy in spare deck ready to go.

then surely it should of been taped down?

[Kernow]

[quote=NKR;375545]

then surely it should of been taped down?

A good point worthy of inclusion in this thread.......... if for no other reason than as a reminder of how bands often operate within a spaghetti of loose cables. Somehow they never seem to get entrapped in their own gear .but are almost guaranteed to find the 10 inch section that the DJ has missed with the gaffa tape :confused:

:D

[blitz]

Another bad thing about some bands is when you are playing split set's with them and they start doing a sound check and shouting 1,2,1,2 over your last 2 songs with a packed floor, even altho they have already sound checked at the beginning of the night for 30 mins:bang:

[NKR]

Taped it to what - Neal Diamond. I was setting up with a singer setting up right in front of me. It was pretty complicated stuff as all his power came underneath my feet. I was just glad to get set up never mind get cables taped down.

[[email protected]]

It dissapoints me, when I hear long pauses in between the songs.

I work with a couple of bands on a regular basis, which once they start their 60 min set, there's probably no more than 2mins of silence for their whole set.

I really notice it as well from the dance floors point of view, there's no opportunity for the audience to go and sit down, yet when the band decides to stop, have a chat, sup their pint etc etc, by that time, they loose any momentum they have created.:confused:

[Tom]

I have worked with a few bands but this is a joke.

I got there 3 hours before the start time, to make sure I was in, sound checked etc etc. Start time was 6:30pm

The band then turns up at 7pm to then lug sooo much equipment in it was unreal. The band had never played before but they did sound "ok" but nothing to special.

This is how much space I got to setup in and yet the band still had more gear then what I had. :shock:

I had to put my sub beside me behind the rig as there was no room at all. Still, used it as a table for my CD's. lol

Ohh yeah, notice the fire exit. lol.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb129/tommyboy6996/20062009110.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb129/tommyboy6996/20062009112.jpg

[rob1963]

Another bad thing about some bands is when you are playing split set's with them and they start doing a sound check and shouting 1,2,1,2 over your last 2 songs with a packed floor, even altho they have already sound checked at the beginning of the night for 30 mins:bang:

Good one...I've had that loads of times with bands.

[Jonny Boy]

As token live artist on the site, :p I've seen 'gigs' from both sides now.... (sounds is if I'm about to sing Joni Mitchell!)

If BOTH parts of the entertainment are professional and treat others like they would like to be treated, everything is copacetic. Sometimes it feels like never the twain shall meet however - I'd have to agree. And lots of bands have egos like Kilamanjaro.


What's even more annoying is ones who babble on for ages when they finish, giving everyone enough time to leave the dance floor by the time I can get a word/song in edgeways!

Unless they're not ramping up for an encore???

If stage hogging, that IS rude & un-pro, stepping on DJ's toes once their assigned "spot" of the show is over is just egotism.... some live acts do forget the focus is the couple and not them....

I have experiene the flip side however, where despite the DJ being aware of my set-list and being reminded it was the penultmate/last song, the DJ left a huge gap (almost 2 mins!) after I finished my live set (full floor) before he started playing (by which time...empty floor!)

(Mind you, he was on <£100 as a friend of a friend of the best's man's sister's milkman.... and we all know what we think about THIS kind of dude....yeehaw.)

I've also had a DJ complain after I got off stage (I'd tried a number of times to get in contact before the gig, but he never pciked up/returned my message) COMPLAIN that I'd sung all his favourite songs that always fill the floor.

And you've got HOW many other on that hard-drive to pick from... and you we constructing WHAT kind of playlist while I was on stage? Oh no, you were watching footie on your wi-fi.


A good band shouldn't have huge gaps between songs,

Entirely agree.... because (see below)


a good band will have a frontman who can chat and banter abit between songs

Absolutely.

But - again on the flipside

there should be a professional transition between them.

This is true, but if you consider the "loadsamoney" bands charge, after expenses they will often get a split of only £100-150 each. From my time in bands, I know that arranging a transition between songs took MORE time than learning the songs themselves.

Also, it's very hard to go literally one song to another.... especially for bands. Performance is very physical. (Although you'd not believe it to look at me! ;) )

Often the transition is therefore down to the front man's "mic technique" - something lots of DJs worry about, but without any music behind frontmen (or women!) them to hide the gaps in the "flow" of words. (Or the guitarist is twaning a quick re-tune...something else you don't have to do between mp3s).

My sets (solo these days) have a gap of just 8-15 seconds between them, unless i use pause to banter with the audience. (I do this much less in the 'dancing' sets, it's for establishing rapport in the first set - first set often being when many wedding DJs would use 'background music' playlists)

There's only so many times you can say "thank you" , "great singing along there!", "come on to the floor for the next one" and "are there any <insert orignal artist name> fans out there tonight?!" before you start to look and sound like and eeejit. Particularly if you've got one of "those" crowds.

The 'problem' I have found is that audiences are now so used to the continuous mix that we DJs provide that even with a gap as short as mine they will start to wander off the floor, and it's not really possible to "drop" tracks at a hook like it is with a DJ mix, so the performer/front man has to work hard to keep the crowd engaged therefore, often song after song.

And even if you do have 'one of those crowds', an artist worth half his salt still has to give 100%. He can't set VDJ on automix and go for a fag/pint, like I've seen SOME guys do.

Oh, and a final thing re: bands having huge set-ups... not pro': no. Inconsiderate? Yes!
Always unnecessary .... NO. Lots of sound sources and lots of frequencies = lots of feedback, especially as often each band member is fighting to monitor their own performance. Not all bands have the luxury of an engineer/monitor for each musician...which would take up more space & sockets again anyway!

All that being said, I entirely dig the frustration of many DJs have with bands being unprofessional.... when I work with another DJ and am singing only, I always contact them whereever possible ahead of the gig to say hi, chat over set up ideas, let them have a setlist so we don't do the same number... etc etc.

Not once (yet) has a DJ contacted me first.....



........Just sayin'!
<jumps off soapbox, dives for cover>

[NKR]

As our service is DJ and vocal artist I agree with a lot of the above. I think when you have been running a vocal artist as well as DJ'ing you can appreciate the difficulties around live performance more.

I am sure there are ego bands about, but I have never had any real problems with live acts.

[scoopd]

I've only done 1 gig with a courteous band.the rest offer tons of space for you but say "It's best if we set up first" then leave you with nothing.
Honestly Queen or the Stones would take up less room than some of then bands I've worked with!

[BeerFunk]

I have worked with a few bands but this is a joke.

I got there 3 hours before the start time, to make sure I was in, sound checked etc etc. Start time was 6:30pm

The band then turns up at 7pm to then lug sooo much equipment in it was unreal. The band had never played before but they did sound "ok" but nothing to special.

This is how much space I got to setup in and yet the band still had more gear then what I had. :shock:

I had to put my sub beside me behind the rig as there was no room at all. Still, used it as a table for my CD's. lol

Ohh yeah, notice the fire exit. lol.Not good... but loving your setup! :approve2:

[Jonny Boy]

As our service is DJ and vocal artist I agree with a lot of the above. I think when you have been running a vocal artist as well as DJ'ing you can appreciate the difficulties around live performance more.

I am sure there are ego bands about, but I have never had any real problems with live acts.

I didn't realise you guys did vox too....YEAH! :p

[Disco Tech Liverpool]

Going back to the original post, I do think that you are missing a couple of points. Some 'bands' are proper bands and some have mini disc backing tracks etc. I know a lot of bands and do my best to work with any that I meet that I don't know. The ones with the mini disc's tend to be duo's or guitar vocalist's who spend an age on changing mini discs and queing up the next track, why oh why they don't organize themselves better I don't know. Most of them are playing guitar or whatever over karaoke tracks too, most with the 9 or 10 second lead in which the CDG file is showing the song title on.

The number of times though that I've blown away any band with my system is a mighty figure. Some of them are worse than the worst DJ's, using terrible 200w prosound speakers or whatever.

As for setting up, there isn't much you can do as the band is a focal point, whereas the DJ is really just audable. The only gripe I have is that I can't set up my lights symmetrically across the stage with a band being in the way, but at the end of the day it's not worth worrying about.

[Creature]

I work alongside bands a lot probally 90% of my gigs. and mostly I dont have many problems.

most bands I work with we have a chat as soon as we meet up and we then discuss how we can setup up our equipment to suit us all. sometimes nither of us gets 100% what we want but we work toi make sure everyone who attends the event has a great nite.

Most of teh bands i work with provide me with a set list before i ask these days (as they know i'm gonna keep pestering them till i get one and I then do my best not to play what they going to perform. Funnily enough a band I never worked with before on sat nite said we dont have a set list - I just said one would be helpful to me so I didnt play what they were planning on doing. and in teh einterval between there sets i played the 1st 4 songs they were planning to do - they ran in and mentioned it - I said I did ask you for a set list - no probs they said heres what we are planning and dont worry. I appologised to teh crowd befor eteh band went back on - the result at the end of teh night they asked for a load of my business cards and said we would love to work with ya again :):)

but on the flip side have had bands who moan about the slightest thing if they want to be like that I just turn up the volume and make sure the floor is full - knowing full well that the floors gonna empty as soon as they start up - its amazing how many times it happens as well.

Maybe ive just been lucky with the bands i work with, as for mixes or laptop djing, setlists (for me) never use them so wouldnt know - im happy going into gigs not knowing what im gonna play and see were the crowd leads me

[DJMaxG]

I got there 3 hours before the start time, to make sure I was in, sound checked etc etc. Start time was 6:30pm

The band then turns up at 7pm

Sounds typical of Bands.



to then lug sooo much equipment in it was unreal
Yes, they have to bring a board, speakers, amplifiers, microphones, instruments, music, music stands. That is considerable.

[Tom]

Sounds typical of Bands.


Yes, they have to bring a board, speakers, amplifiers, microphones, instruments, music, music stands. That is considerable.

No mixing desk, just a small dj style one by the looks of things. Mics dont take up the space, its the drummer and the keyboard that will always take up the most space. I am a drummer myself and find it very annoying when I have a small area to setup in. That might be different because of the music I play but I don't know. Other drummer may agree with me or not on this.

Keyboards players I have seen and worked with seem to have 2,3 or even 4 keyboards. Now, I understand why but still, takes up a lot of room.

As for speakers, well you really got me going now. lol

They had a massive double or quad 18" cab just for the bass guitar, keys has his own dual 15", a pair of them, the vocals were going through some Bose 802 I think they were. Very painful to the ears they were. But the guitarist has one amp, guitars which were kept out the way and stood in the same spot all night and was rather good also.


Now with all these speakers, they had a massive rack full of cheap amps which I believe helps create that horrible sound but then the EQ came in. lol. Did help but hey ho.


I think I need a ly down. lol

[rob1963]

I think I need a ly down. lol

With spelling like that, you DEFINATELY do!

:D

[Tom]

With spelling like that, you DEFINATELY do!

:D


Shhh you. ;):D

[DJMaxG]

Ridiculous

The Sound would come forward a lot better if it came out in the same place for starters, rather than a seperate speaker for each person.

I'd imagen a 4 Box JBL system or something along those lines would have been a hell lot more appropriate.

Good Job you didn't allow them to use yours, it would have probably been blown in no time

[Tom]

Ridiculous

The Sound would come forward a lot better if it came out in the same place for starters, rather than a seperate speaker for each person.

I'd imagen a 4 Box JBL system or something along those lines would have been a hell lot more appropriate.

Your telling me this. :eek:;):D


Good Job you didn't allow them to use yours, it would have probably been blown in no time

My system may of been louder but they had no chance of using it. lol

[Mark Wild]

With spelling like that, you DEFINATELY do!

:D



1. Definately

Idiot-speak for "definitely". One of the most common moronic misspellings found on the internet. :p

[rob1963]

1. Definately

Idiot-speak for "definitely". One of the most common moronic misspellings found on the internet. :p

I was working tonight & it's late.

That's definately my excuse, anyway.

:D :D :D

[NKR]

Ridiculous

The Sound would come forward a lot better if it came out in the same place for starters, rather than a seperate speaker for each person.

I'd imagen a 4 Box JBL system or something along those lines would have been a hell lot more appropriate.

Good Job you didn't allow them to use yours, it would have probably been blown in no time

If they fancy spending all their gig income on new drivers then JBL 4 box would no doubt oblige. If bands want proper quality sound they need to be into pro audio 3 box systems (thats 3 each side).

Its always fun watching bands using Peaveys or JBL systems lighting up their cabs as the bulbs come on and then oops there goes another crossover or driver or both. Yummy. Dig the smoke effects dude you guys rock.

[Larry B Entertainment]

No mixing desk, just a small dj style one by the looks of things. Mics dont take up the space, its the drummer and the keyboard that will always take up the most space. I am a drummer myself and find it very annoying when I have a small area to setup in. That might be different because of the music I play but I don't know. Other drummer may agree with me or not on this.

Keyboards players I have seen and worked with seem to have 2,3 or even 4 keyboards. Now, I understand why but still, takes up a lot of room.



I am a drummer and keyboardist too. I hate having to set up my drums in such away I am right up against a back wall, restricts arm movement too much.

I normally go out with 3 keyboards but I have a 3 tier stand so they dont take up much room at all.

[Tom]

I am a drummer and keyboardist too. I hate having to set up my drums in such away I am right up against a back wall, restricts arm movement too much.

I normally go out with 3 keyboards but I have a 3 tier stand so they dont take up much room at all.


Good to see I'm not the only one. lol.

I have my bass drum to the side as I use a double pedal so that takes up even more room. :D

[scoopd]

Good to see I'm not the only one. lol.

I have my bass drum to the side as I use a double pedal so that takes up even more room. :D

To be honest I have more of an issue with the 3 piece bands who need a yard and a half either side of them and the same behind.
Then the dj is squashed in a corner.

I once did a gig with a six piece and the drummer asked for an extra foot's room.to be honest he could of done with 3 but he asked for one.

I had to laugh last Saturday when the Ceilidh band I was with asked for more room then asked if they could go through my PA!