Shakermaker Promotions
30-05-2010, 09:22 AM
Hi all,
Happy Sunday morning to everyone. Those that worked last night, I hope you had a good one. Not wishing to disappoint anyone so here's a review of my gig last night.
It was a wedding in a lovely venue just outside town. Every wedding I have done previously at this venue has been in the massive marquee. This particular wedding was the first at the venue that I had done in the 'Blue Room'. I supplied the Disco and Uplighting.
This wedding came from a wedding fayre I did last year and was for a very nice couple in their early 40's. We had our meeting around 4 weeks ago and it was then that they told me that I would be playing alongside a band (a Blues/Rock covers band). I was also given an itinery where everything was timed which was as follows:
Disco - 7.30pm - 8.30pm (with first dance at 8.15pm)
Band - 8.30pm - 9.15pm
Disco - 9.15pm - 10.15pm
Band - 10.15pm - 11.00pm
Disco - 11.00pm - Midnight
Now....Firstly, when I have my meetings with customers, I always go through the first dance(s) in detail as I find that it puts them at ease. A lot of customers I have spoken to say that it's the first dance that worries them and they want to get it out of the way. I make a big deal about it and like to make them feel special. We spoke about what would happen etc and they were really excited and relaxed about it in our meeting.
So, take into account the timings, the band that I didn't know until last minute that I would be playing with, 100 guests in a very small room etc etc and you'll probably already have some kind of an idea as to how this review/report is going to go.
Because the room was small (100 people in there with no tables, no Disco and no band would've been tight), I wasn't able to set up until around 6.00pm. The band had been told the same. I turned up at 6.15pm and ready to start. I was told by the manager that they had just finished their speeches and would be moving to a different area to have photos taken. The room would be moved around with lots of chairs and tables taken out and then I could get in. At around 6.40pm I started to move my equipment into the room which was a bit of a walk from the van. It all started to rain! The band turned up and also started bringing in their kit. At one point the room was full of speakers, guitars, drumkit etc...We had good communication and worked out with eachother how we would set up. We got on really well, all sweating as we rushed about trying to get things set up as quickly as we could and also, whilst we were doing this, the staff were busy putting down the dancefloor. Luckily I took a small active set up so it didn't take me long to set up but it still seemed too big for the room!
I was done and soundchecked by 7.20pm and at around 7.30pm the groom came in to see if we were ready to roll. The band were just about ready to soundcheck so one of them told him "10 minutes".
I started playing music at 7.45pm, background stuff really as other guests arrived. There was no'one in the room then and by 8.00pm there were around 5 people. The library room which was being used as the chill out area was full up. There was a door that seperated the two rooms and I had mentioned to the staff and customers previously that it would be a good idea to have that door open all night as it would link everything up togeather....the door was closed most of the night unfortunately.
I had the itinery with me that the customer had given me and as it approached 8.15pm and first dance time, I decided to announce (to a near empty room!) that the first dance would be happening shortly. I felt a bit silly talking to around 5 people but I joked about it and this may sound stupid but the atmosphere was alright. I wasn't sure whether people could hear me so I went through the other door that led off to the Bar/Reception area which was packed. It seemed like everyone was either there or in the library chill out room. I found the groom and asked him if we were still on for an 8.15pm first dance and he said yes. I went back to the room and carried on and was in the middle of a song when all of a sudden, the bride and groom walk in and straight to the middle of the dancefloor. The groom looks at me and gives me the nod and I do my usual bit to a near empty room. They don't seem to care and it's after about a minute into the song 'Rule the World' by Last Choir Standing, that a few people come in and take photos etc. They had a second dance too which was 'Lost' by Michael Buble and a few people joined them on the dancefloor. I wondered what the score was after that as we were rapidly approaching 8.30pm when the band would be doing their first set of 45 minutes but they were nowhere to be seen so I started playing some classic Disco tunes that were on the song request sheet.
A few people came in and danced (around 10 of them) and I actually thought for a second that it could be a good night. At 9.15pm the band actually kicked off their set. I gave them a great intro and not one person greeted their appearence with a clap. They were really good and apparently booked via the customers local pub. All in their 50's and playing some great covers. They had a few people dancing (3!) but all through their set, the room was near empty as people were either in the bar area or chill out area. The room looked great. The Uplighting set to lilac looked cool and the Disco lights swirling around filled it with colour.
One of the funniest things I had seen came halfway through the bands set and that was when a Hog Roast was wheeled into the room!! Yes, a massive Hog Roast took up even more precious space and the smell of it filled the room as the 2 chefs started carving it up. The manager came over to me whilst the band were playing and asked me to announce that the food was available. I waited until the band had finished their song and told the singer and he announced it. As they continued, people came flooding into the room to get their food..................... and then they disappeared again to the other rooms. As we approached 10.00pm, I got behind the decks and cue'd up my next track (Scissor Sisters) thinking that I was going to be starting soon...I was wrong. The communication had gone down the pan. I was told by the groom that the band were doing 2 x 45 minute sets but apparently there had been a change of plan and they were doing 2 x 1hr sets!
I started playing again at just gone 10.15pm. I decided that I would play guaranteed floorfillers to try and make my mark on the party so I played Scissor Sisters, Amy Whinehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Abba, Candi Staton, Whitney Houston, Weather Girls etc and it worked. I had around 20 people (which was good, believe me) all dancing around. It suddenly dawned on me as we approached 11.00pm that I wouldn't be playing for long because if the band had another hour set, they would be finishing off the night. I nipped off quickly to find the groom (I don't usually bother the bride or groom on their day and deal with the best man but he didn't make himself known to me all the time I was there). I actually found the bride and said that I would be playing my last couple of songs soon as the band would be finishing the evening off. I also asked her if she could find her husband as she had asked me previously if I could play one of his favourite songs (Millie - My Boy Lollipop). As it got to 11.15pm, the bride and groom finally came into the room which now had a crowd of....4! (including the bride and groom). I played the song and he loved it. They danced togeather and then the band started their second set.
Because of the lack of room (and most definitely health and safety issues), I decided to take my speakers off their stands and pack them away. The band played some great covers (Status Quo, Lynrd Skynrd etc) and had around 5 people up dancing. I started packing bits and pieces away. I left the Uplighting and Disco lights on etc so no'one knew but I thought I would try and make life easier for when the night came to a close. I did feel a bit paranoid doing it but I wanted to make more room for the band as they were tightly squeezed togeather, hardly able to move and almost tripping over eachother. I felt really sorry for them too as they were good but not getting much of a reaction and the one song that got more than 10 people up was their cover of 'Wonderful Tonight' by Eric Clapton which they mucked up by being out of tune and the singer couldn't hit the right notes and kept losing his voice!
When the night actually came to an end, there was no round of applause or anything. Their was total silence and it was awkward. I felt as if I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible so I started packing stuff away. I had everything in the van and was away by 12.20am which is a record for me.
So, the timings and everything else went out of the window. I don't actually think that mattered too much. It was all down to the room that was chosen for this wedding. The Marquee would have been much better but it was obviously down to the money side at a guess. I couldn't honestly tell you whether people had a great time and if the bride and groom enjoyed themselves as I hardly saw them or anyone else. I also felt a bit bad because I was originally booked from 7.30pm - Midnight. I didn't play that much stuff because of the band but in a way, I think they probably helped a bit more as I think it would have been really hard work if I was there on my own.
I'm not too sure what to think this morning. If it's what the customer wanted then they should be happy but who knows?
Cheers
G :confused:
Happy Sunday morning to everyone. Those that worked last night, I hope you had a good one. Not wishing to disappoint anyone so here's a review of my gig last night.
It was a wedding in a lovely venue just outside town. Every wedding I have done previously at this venue has been in the massive marquee. This particular wedding was the first at the venue that I had done in the 'Blue Room'. I supplied the Disco and Uplighting.
This wedding came from a wedding fayre I did last year and was for a very nice couple in their early 40's. We had our meeting around 4 weeks ago and it was then that they told me that I would be playing alongside a band (a Blues/Rock covers band). I was also given an itinery where everything was timed which was as follows:
Disco - 7.30pm - 8.30pm (with first dance at 8.15pm)
Band - 8.30pm - 9.15pm
Disco - 9.15pm - 10.15pm
Band - 10.15pm - 11.00pm
Disco - 11.00pm - Midnight
Now....Firstly, when I have my meetings with customers, I always go through the first dance(s) in detail as I find that it puts them at ease. A lot of customers I have spoken to say that it's the first dance that worries them and they want to get it out of the way. I make a big deal about it and like to make them feel special. We spoke about what would happen etc and they were really excited and relaxed about it in our meeting.
So, take into account the timings, the band that I didn't know until last minute that I would be playing with, 100 guests in a very small room etc etc and you'll probably already have some kind of an idea as to how this review/report is going to go.
Because the room was small (100 people in there with no tables, no Disco and no band would've been tight), I wasn't able to set up until around 6.00pm. The band had been told the same. I turned up at 6.15pm and ready to start. I was told by the manager that they had just finished their speeches and would be moving to a different area to have photos taken. The room would be moved around with lots of chairs and tables taken out and then I could get in. At around 6.40pm I started to move my equipment into the room which was a bit of a walk from the van. It all started to rain! The band turned up and also started bringing in their kit. At one point the room was full of speakers, guitars, drumkit etc...We had good communication and worked out with eachother how we would set up. We got on really well, all sweating as we rushed about trying to get things set up as quickly as we could and also, whilst we were doing this, the staff were busy putting down the dancefloor. Luckily I took a small active set up so it didn't take me long to set up but it still seemed too big for the room!
I was done and soundchecked by 7.20pm and at around 7.30pm the groom came in to see if we were ready to roll. The band were just about ready to soundcheck so one of them told him "10 minutes".
I started playing music at 7.45pm, background stuff really as other guests arrived. There was no'one in the room then and by 8.00pm there were around 5 people. The library room which was being used as the chill out area was full up. There was a door that seperated the two rooms and I had mentioned to the staff and customers previously that it would be a good idea to have that door open all night as it would link everything up togeather....the door was closed most of the night unfortunately.
I had the itinery with me that the customer had given me and as it approached 8.15pm and first dance time, I decided to announce (to a near empty room!) that the first dance would be happening shortly. I felt a bit silly talking to around 5 people but I joked about it and this may sound stupid but the atmosphere was alright. I wasn't sure whether people could hear me so I went through the other door that led off to the Bar/Reception area which was packed. It seemed like everyone was either there or in the library chill out room. I found the groom and asked him if we were still on for an 8.15pm first dance and he said yes. I went back to the room and carried on and was in the middle of a song when all of a sudden, the bride and groom walk in and straight to the middle of the dancefloor. The groom looks at me and gives me the nod and I do my usual bit to a near empty room. They don't seem to care and it's after about a minute into the song 'Rule the World' by Last Choir Standing, that a few people come in and take photos etc. They had a second dance too which was 'Lost' by Michael Buble and a few people joined them on the dancefloor. I wondered what the score was after that as we were rapidly approaching 8.30pm when the band would be doing their first set of 45 minutes but they were nowhere to be seen so I started playing some classic Disco tunes that were on the song request sheet.
A few people came in and danced (around 10 of them) and I actually thought for a second that it could be a good night. At 9.15pm the band actually kicked off their set. I gave them a great intro and not one person greeted their appearence with a clap. They were really good and apparently booked via the customers local pub. All in their 50's and playing some great covers. They had a few people dancing (3!) but all through their set, the room was near empty as people were either in the bar area or chill out area. The room looked great. The Uplighting set to lilac looked cool and the Disco lights swirling around filled it with colour.
One of the funniest things I had seen came halfway through the bands set and that was when a Hog Roast was wheeled into the room!! Yes, a massive Hog Roast took up even more precious space and the smell of it filled the room as the 2 chefs started carving it up. The manager came over to me whilst the band were playing and asked me to announce that the food was available. I waited until the band had finished their song and told the singer and he announced it. As they continued, people came flooding into the room to get their food..................... and then they disappeared again to the other rooms. As we approached 10.00pm, I got behind the decks and cue'd up my next track (Scissor Sisters) thinking that I was going to be starting soon...I was wrong. The communication had gone down the pan. I was told by the groom that the band were doing 2 x 45 minute sets but apparently there had been a change of plan and they were doing 2 x 1hr sets!
I started playing again at just gone 10.15pm. I decided that I would play guaranteed floorfillers to try and make my mark on the party so I played Scissor Sisters, Amy Whinehouse, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Abba, Candi Staton, Whitney Houston, Weather Girls etc and it worked. I had around 20 people (which was good, believe me) all dancing around. It suddenly dawned on me as we approached 11.00pm that I wouldn't be playing for long because if the band had another hour set, they would be finishing off the night. I nipped off quickly to find the groom (I don't usually bother the bride or groom on their day and deal with the best man but he didn't make himself known to me all the time I was there). I actually found the bride and said that I would be playing my last couple of songs soon as the band would be finishing the evening off. I also asked her if she could find her husband as she had asked me previously if I could play one of his favourite songs (Millie - My Boy Lollipop). As it got to 11.15pm, the bride and groom finally came into the room which now had a crowd of....4! (including the bride and groom). I played the song and he loved it. They danced togeather and then the band started their second set.
Because of the lack of room (and most definitely health and safety issues), I decided to take my speakers off their stands and pack them away. The band played some great covers (Status Quo, Lynrd Skynrd etc) and had around 5 people up dancing. I started packing bits and pieces away. I left the Uplighting and Disco lights on etc so no'one knew but I thought I would try and make life easier for when the night came to a close. I did feel a bit paranoid doing it but I wanted to make more room for the band as they were tightly squeezed togeather, hardly able to move and almost tripping over eachother. I felt really sorry for them too as they were good but not getting much of a reaction and the one song that got more than 10 people up was their cover of 'Wonderful Tonight' by Eric Clapton which they mucked up by being out of tune and the singer couldn't hit the right notes and kept losing his voice!
When the night actually came to an end, there was no round of applause or anything. Their was total silence and it was awkward. I felt as if I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible so I started packing stuff away. I had everything in the van and was away by 12.20am which is a record for me.
So, the timings and everything else went out of the window. I don't actually think that mattered too much. It was all down to the room that was chosen for this wedding. The Marquee would have been much better but it was obviously down to the money side at a guess. I couldn't honestly tell you whether people had a great time and if the bride and groom enjoyed themselves as I hardly saw them or anyone else. I also felt a bit bad because I was originally booked from 7.30pm - Midnight. I didn't play that much stuff because of the band but in a way, I think they probably helped a bit more as I think it would have been really hard work if I was there on my own.
I'm not too sure what to think this morning. If it's what the customer wanted then they should be happy but who knows?
Cheers
G :confused: