Nowhere to setup !

[Mark Wild]

Just went to do and early setup and the band had beat me to it, filling the WHOLE area and leaving me literally nowhere to setup (even do a bit of time saving)

The guy that had setup for the band said to the venue staff to just tell the DJ to bring his kit in and setup when they have finished at 9.30 p.m. So now when they're finished there will be no entertainment just a stage full of people moving and setting up kit, which imo is rubbish.

The groom is actually in the band, do I text him and let him know on his bloody wedding day or just get there for when the band finish, setup and do what I do? There has been no consideration for the DJ (which I guess some of you are used to) but it's really :Censored: me off. :Censored: heads :mad:

[Charlie Brown]

Okay,

Did the groom pay for an early setup?

[Mark Wild]

Okay,

Did the groom pay for an early setup?

I don't charge for early setup when it's very local to me, I prefer early setups tbh.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Can you not use your winch and wheels to partly set up Mark?

[Mark Wild]

Can you not use your winch and wheels to partly set up Mark?

7ft ceiling on stage with a 6 inch over hang lip thing, I can touch the ceiling on that stage with no effort at all so I just took a winch tripod. I'm stuffed I think (or they are and I'll look the plonker)

Would you text him on his wedding day to make him aware? I'm not sure how I feel about doing that.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I presume you don't have any other contact for the band?

In your opinion, could the band take up less room? (ie is it a case of them having spreading out to fill the space, or do they really need the amount of room they are taking?)

[Mark Wild]

I presume you don't have any other contact for the band?

In your opinion, could the band take up less room? (ie is it a case of them having spreading out to fill the space, or do they really need the amount of room they are taking?)

No other contact for the band Angela, it's a Ceilidh band and by the looks of it there's 100's of them, I started moving the mics about to make some room but then realised it was a hopeless mission, if you see what I mean.

[Shaun]

Can you setup on the dancefloor directly in front of the band? Sure it'll mean less dancing room but I would rather that than running around crazy after the bands finished

[Mark Wild]

Can you setup on the dancefloor directly in front of the band? Sure it'll mean less dancing room but I would rather that than running around crazy after the bands finished

I suggested that to the venue staff mate and they said no.

[Charlie Brown]

This is why I always take a contact number for the Best Man.

I'd give the groom a bell. As a bloke, he won't mind you giving him a bell. He will be tonked up anyhow.

[Corabar Entertainment]

No other contact for the band Angela, it's a Ceilidh band and by the looks of it there's 100's of them, I started moving the mics about to make some room but then realised it was a hopeless mission, if you see what I mean.Well, if it's a case of them actually needing that much room, and it's likely that nothing can be done about it now, I don't see that there's any point in disturbing the groom now (after all, you could be in the middle of the ceremony! :eek: )

[Mark Wild]

Well, if it's a case of them actually needing that much room, and it's likely that nothing can be done about it now, I don't see that there's any point in disturbing the groom now (after all, you could be in the middle of the ceremony! :eek: )

Yeah I think you're right, it's not going to change anything anyway. :)

[ppentertainments]

If you have a wheeled stand can you not setup in a side room or other part of the room ?? Wheel the stand over, t-bar setup, couple of speakers.

I have done this many times and can setup in under 10 minutes if needed.

Annoying all the same. I find it really annoying when I am prepared to go in a small area with only micromax and a couple of speakers and they still don't leave enough room.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

If you have a wheeled stand can you not setup in a side room or other part of the room ?? Wheel the stand over, t-bar setup, couple of speakers.



Sheesh....people who don't read the whole thread...:D


Can you not use your winch and wheels to partly set up Mark?


I just took a winch tripod.

[simon1969]

What does it say in your T&C about bands?
If it is clear in your T&C about bands no worries, and it's not your fault if the bands set up is in the way still annoying though!!

[Mark Wild]

What does it say in your T&C about bands?
If it is clear in your T&C about bands no worries, and it's not your fault if the bands set up is in the way still annoying though!!

It doesn't say anything in my T&C's about bands, what do yours say, maybe I'm missing a trick here?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not being funny, but how would have T&Cs about a band help in this situation?

It might be prudent to state the minimum space requirements in your contract in the future, but I'm not sure how this helps today.

If I was in this situation, I would probably load my gear in and stick it against a wall and set it up later when the groom arrives and gives instructions. I don't see what else you can do really.

[simon1969]

Not being funny, but how would have T&Cs about a band help in this situation?


This would help if anyone complained that there was no music between band finishing and Mark setting up surprised youi didnt think of that Darren!!
In your T&C you could put ;
It is the customers responsability to make sure that there is ..ft x ...ft for the dj to set up his/her equipment otherwise this could affect the dj's playing out time on the day of the event.
Hope that is of some help.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

This would help if anyone complained that there was no music between band finishing and Mark setting up surprised youi didnt think of that Darren!!


They wouldn't complain because I would have either made sure how much space I needed beforehand or I would talk to the client on the day.

Mark cannot be in the wrong and they have no right to complain if he has no space to set up in. Contracts won't help in this situation.

[simon1969]

They wouldn't complain because I would have either made sure how much space I needed beforehand or I would talk to the client on the day.

Mark cannot be in the wrong and they have no right to complain if he has no space to set up in. Contracts won't help in this situation.

True but people don't always remember what you have said on the day and the groom is in the band and I wouldn't think he cares!!
No they don't have the right to complain but could all the same?!?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

True but people don't always remember what you have said on the day and the groom is in the band and I wouldn't think he cares!!
No they don't have the right to complain but could all the same?!?

They could, but do you really suppose waving a contract in someone's face would help?

[Mark Wild]

Well I was slightly concerned so I text the groom (against my better judgement really) the situation and his response was "Don't worry mate, it's my fault, once the band finish we'll clear the stage and then you can setup as you normally would" Although that won't stop me stressing out enough to setup at warp speed ! lol


They could, but do you really suppose waving a contract in someone's face would help?

Indeed, something I wouldn't do unless I REALLY had to.

[simon1969]

They could, but do you really suppose waving a contract in someone's face would help?

Darren your a bugger lol!!
No waving a big placard might though!!! :D :)
Not sure I could fit all the wording on though !?!

[funksoulbrother]

Mark, I feel for you, as no matter how quick the band clear away or how quickly your able to set up, you know that you will feel everyones eyes boring into your back, until your ready to start the music.

And I bet that you get at least one of the venue staff come up and ask, "how soon will you be ready to start the first dance?" :Censored: er

But be cool and don't bite back, which I'm sure that you wouldn't. :)

[Mark Wild]

Mark, I feel for you, as no matter how quick the band clear away or how quickly your able to set up, you know that you will feel everyones eyes boring into your back, until your ready to start the music.

And I bet that you get at least one of the venue staff come up and ask, "how soon will you be ready to start the first dance?" :Censored: er

But be cool and don't bite back, which I'm sure that you wouldn't. :)

All so true mate, in with love, out with anger lol

[Excalibur]

I presume you don't have any other contact for the band?

In your opinion, could the band take up less room? (ie is it a case of them having spreading out to fill the space, or do they really need the amount of room they are taking?)
Errr :fp:


Can you setup on the dancefloor directly in front of the band? Sure it'll mean less dancing room but I would rather that than running around crazy after the bands finished
My thoughts exactly. With a 5mx4m Starcloth behind you. ;) ;) ;) ;)

[Mark Wild]

With a 5mx4m Starcloth behind you.

:lol:

[DJ Davy]

Nothing worse than setting up under pressure with everyone watching. I have a place for everything but sometimes go round in circles in that situation.... doesn't look very professional either..... in my opinion. . .

[yourdj]

I suggested that to the venue staff mate and they said no.


Well, if it's a case of them actually needing that much room, and it's likely that nothing can be done about it now, I don't see that there's any point in disturbing the groom now (after all, you could be in the middle of the ceremony! :eek: )


Nothing worse than setting up under pressure with everyone watching. I have a place for everything but sometimes go round in circles in that situation.... doesn't look very professional either..... in my opinion. . .

Yep I would set up on the dance floor. I hate stages anyway. Sod the staff. ;)

I would not contact the groom or even let him know if I was talking to him, but just get in and set up wherever possible regardless of any staff's comments. Much better than setting up in front of people or even worse a lull in the entertainment.

Even if its a keyboard stand a couple of actives and an impossibled in the corner. If there is sound there is dancing.

i had the same situation tonight and set up pretty much in the middle of the dancefloor!


Band down the end where I would normally go. Me bottom right. Worked a treat.

[Mark Wild]

It ended up better than I expected as the band ran late and played up to the buffet, while the buffet was on I asked them to leave thier speakers up with my ipod playing background until I'd setup. I managed to setup in 35 minutes so not to bad. Thanks for all the help guys/gal :D


Yep I would set up on the dance floor. I hate stages anyway. Sod the staff. ;)

I would not contact the groom or even let him know if I was talking to him, but just get in and set up wherever possible regardless of any staff's comments. Much better than setting up in front of people or even worse a lull in the entertainment.

Even if its a keyboard stand a couple of actives and an impossibled in the corner. If there is sound there is dancing.

i had the same situation tonight and set up pretty much in the middle of the dancefloor!


Band down the end where I would normally go. Me bottom right. Worked a treat.

So many pearls of wisdom there Toby ;) The wedding I did tonight had 200 guests and setting up wherever i wanted wasn't viable including in front of the band. Your sod the staff attitude just isn't my style.

[Jonathan Ford]

So many pearls of wisdom there Toby ;) The wedding I did tonight had 200 guests and setting up wherever i wanted wasn't viable including in front of the band. Your sod the staff attitude just isn't my style.

Indeed. Often the shortcut to unemployment.

[scoopd]

Most times I have worked with a band they have said that they would set up first and leave room for me(which they didn't).

There was a 3 piece band once who spread out over a very large floor and left me no room whatsoever.

However, the exception to this was a gig I did at Oranmor in Glasgow where it was a 6 piece band and I on a small stage.Now that was tight for them but they were very polite and asked if I could move 1 foot back when really they could have done with about 5!

[Charlie Brown]

So how was it?

Setup in time? In a flush?

[Mark Wild]

So how was it?

Setup in time? In a flush?


It ended up better than I expected as the band ran late and played up to the buffet, while the buffet was on I asked them to leave thier speakers up with my ipod playing background until I'd setup. I managed to setup in 35 minutes so not to bad. Thanks for all the help guys/gal :D

...

[Corabar Steve]

So how was it?

Setup in time? In a flush?


It ended up better than I expected as the band ran late and played up to the buffet, while the buffet was on I asked them to leave thier speakers up with my ipod playing background until I'd setup. I managed to setup in 35 minutes so not to bad. Thanks for all the help guys/gal :D .
Um...

[MagicMusic]

even worse a lull in the entertainment.

I think that this is an interesting point.

In the past I always felt that any sort of silence was the most horrible outcome from an audience point of view.

My opinion has changed over the last few years as I have attended an increasing number of gig's, festivals, concerts than I used to.

I now believe that an audience accepts that there will be changeover times and even between DJ sets, something I used to deem as completely unacceptable.

At a recent wedding I played at, the ceilidh band had sizeable breaks in between songs and no - one seemed to care.

So to summarise, I think that we have a wee bit more time than we think we have in these situations but feel pressured by by our own desire to avoid "dead air" and our assumed perception of the audiences expectations rather than their actual expectations.

Anyway, well done Mark, I reckon i'd've been totally stressing out in the same circumstances.

[Excalibur]

I think that this is an interesting point.

In the past I always felt that any sort of silence was the most horrible outcome from an audience point of view.
My opinion has changed over the last few years as I have attended an increasing number of gig's, festivals, concerts than I used to.
I still hate dead air with a vengeance, hence why if I can't fill it with music, I'll insert some witty, informative, lucid and entertaining chat. ;)



Anyway, well done Mark, I reckon i'd've been totally stressing out in the same circumstances.

And I might have beeen on a go slow, just to make a point. Strike me pink, he turned eight hours early, and still couldn't set up. :eek: :eek: :( :(

[simon1969]

Glad it worked out O.K. in the end for you mate and you used your loaf and used there speakers and Ipod whilst you set up.