Walking away from a gig whilst onsite!

[Ecstatic Events]

Inspired by a recent comment on another thread.

We are all (well most) true professionals and I know for me personally it would take a hell of alot for me to walk away from a gig when onsite.

However, what would it take (apart from the obvious serious H&S issues) for you to simply refuse to unload or even start a gig??? Has anyone any horror stories/experiences they would care to share???

I'll start off with a story that SO VERY NEARLY resulted in me not unloading.

I took a last minute gig a few weeks back. Initially the money offered was within the Sid/Ernie bracket (£60-£80) but after negotiation the final fee was double that. Not ideal, but I was free and I would rather be out earning.

When I arrived at the venue I made myself known to the person who was booking me and was greeted with no more than a "grunt" fair enough, we all have bad days.

However, when I started to consult this guy (who was the Landlord) about where to set up etc. Every other answer to my questions was "I dunno" Fair enough, he was the only person behind the bar serving customers but he really didnt care about liasing with me to get the rig in and set up.

I stood around for 5-10 mins - Asked again - Same grunt for a reply - I had a look round the venue and there was simply no free suitable space to set up. In the end I resorted to telling him where I was setting up and proceeded to move 4-5 tables and chairs out of the way to do so, which took about 20 mins to do, bear in mind this was a set up and start.

Anyway, I went out to the Disco Bus to start unloading and had a serious moment where I thought to myself "Do I really want to unload and set up for these people?"

Faced with his unprofessionalism - I nearly didnt unload but after a few minutes "time out" I realised I would be just as bad as him If I didnt continue with the gig.

Im sure you have all faced this kind of attitude before, and probably had it worse than me. But I'm fairly easy going and not that sensitive. His rudeness was just jaw dropping.

Rant over :D

[DiscoPromotions]

So far I have not walked off from an event, but it takes a lot to upset me. If people want to be difficult that is fine, not got a problem as it their time they are wasting, as one of us is getting paid which is usually me.

However, I draw the line at being threaten which has happened a number of times. They get one warning and that is it, and so far no one as actually gone beyond that. If they did, everything is off and I'm packing away as it clear states on booking on our booking form that we will not put with verbal threats or physical abuse.

As for actually turning up to a gig and not willing to unload, that would take a lot (apart from H&S issues). I would only not unload if it was kicking off or access was not possible, otherwise we would just get on with the job.

[Ecstatic Events]

So far I have not walked off from an event, but it takes a lot to upset me. If people want to be difficult that is fine, not got a problem as it their time they are wasting, as one of us is getting paid which is usually me.

However, I draw the line at being threaten which has happened a number of times. They get one warning and that is it, and so far no one as actually gone beyond that. If they did, everything is off and I'm packing away as it clear states on booking on our booking form that we will not put with verbal threats or physical abuse.

As for actually turning up to a gig and not willing to unload, that would take a lot (apart from H&S issues). I would only not unload if it was kicking off or access was not possible, otherwise we would just get on with the job.

I completely understand what you are saying - I think it must of been "my time of the month" that made me hesitate.

My experience was just one of those "is doing this gig, really worth it?" moments

Im interested to hear about other DJ's experiences :D

[ronedjs]

I have unfortunately had to pack up and leave a 50th wedding anniversary about 5 months ago now. (To make matters worse, the person who booked it, I worked with)

It all started well and everyone was enjoying themselves the dance floor was full for most of the time. But we had quite a few kids their and the family had sent in a very mixed song request list, a lot of modern songs and older songs. We were playing lots of old ones to get the majority of the guests up to have a good time and take them back to their youth. Then then lady I worked with came over and asked if we could put some modern songs on for her daughters and the other young people in the room.

So we started to move from the 60's quickly up to the 00's but not fast enough for the client. So from abba to dizzy rascal (im not proud of it, but it happened). The dance floor emptied and 5 kids, 2 adults jumped up and danced. The lady who's anniversary it was came marching over and was shouting and screaming at me to change the music, play what was on the request list only, and a few profanities. I pointed out that the music I was playing was on the request list, she was having none of it and started off again.

So to get her to stop swearing at me I changed the music back to the older stuff and then then kids sat back down and the 2 adults came over asking to have some more songs on for the kids. I explained that I was balancing the music so that everyone would have a great night but they didn't accept that and started off the same was as above.

I then got to the point where I turned the music down and asked for the client who booked with us to come over and have a talk. The guest looked a bit :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:ed off as the music was turned down for about 5 minutes till it was all sorted. I then turned the music up again and the first lady came over and kicked off big time saying that we were rubbish and her guests had left because we were playing a bad selection of music. Along with the swear words and threats.

That was it music straight off and very polite announcement made and I was packing down. (probably the most awkward pack down i've ever had to do).

With still over 2 1/2 hours left of the night they were soon ringing around asking if anyone was free to come and play. So there you have it.

[Ecstatic Events]

I have unfortunately had to pack up and leave a 50th wedding anniversary about 5 months ago now. (To make matters worse, the person who booked it, I worked with)

It all started well and everyone was enjoying themselves the dance floor was full for most of the time. But we had quite a few kids their and the family had sent in a very mixed song request list, a lot of modern songs and older songs. We were playing lots of old ones to get the majority of the guests up to have a good time and take them back to their youth. Then then lady I worked with came over and asked if we could put some modern songs on for her daughters and the other young people in the room.

So we started to move from the 60's quickly up to the 00's but not fast enough for the client. So from abba to dizzy rascal (im not proud of it, but it happened). The dance floor emptied and 5 kids, 2 adults jumped up and danced. The lady who's anniversary it was came marching over and was shouting and screaming at me to change the music, play what was on the request list only, and a few profanities. I pointed out that the music I was playing was on the request list, she was having none of it and started off again.

So to get her to stop swearing at me I changed the music back to the older stuff and then then kids sat back down and the 2 adults came over asking to have some more songs on for the kids. I explained that I was balancing the music so that everyone would have a great night but they didn't accept that and started off the same was as above.

I then got to the point where I turned the music down and asked for the client who booked with us to come over and have a talk. The guest looked a bit :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:ed off as the music was turned down for about 5 minutes till it was all sorted. I then turned the music up again and the first lady came over and kicked off big time saying that we were rubbish and her guests had left because we were playing a bad selection of music. Along with the swear words and threats.

That was it music straight off and very polite announcement made and I was packing down. (probably the most awkward pack down i've ever had to do).

With still over 2 1/2 hours left of the night they were soon ringing around asking if anyone was free to come and play. So there you have it.

Did you get paid? :D :D :D :D

[ronedjs]

Yer got the full fee, i have very well written t&c's so whatever happens we will pretty much get paid.

Obviously i only enforce them if I really have too!

[DiscoPromotions]

The lady who's anniversary it was came marching over and was shouting and screaming at me to change the music, play what was on the request list only, and a few profanities. I pointed out that the music I was playing was on the request list, she was having none of it and started off again.


It sounds like they did not vet her own playlist they submitted. We find this sometimes when the guest come over and ask for it to be changed as it not what they asked for.

When this arises for us, we just say to them 'here is a copy of your playlist' and they are shocked the music they do not want on there.

[Daryll]

I`ve done a few where I wish I wasn't there , but as yet , I have always finished what I started , I have had my fair share of the usual drunken abuse ,but for those that have met me , I am a big bloke , so I can look at someone and the have second thoughts :D , plus on my T&C it states that and abuse or violence to me , or anyone working with me , means one thing , no disco , full payment and an early night , no arguments ..

Daryll

[Digital Jack]

The one and only time I has an experience like this was just a few weeks ago.
A pub that is quite local to me had reopened after a period of renvation ( a lick of paint and a new window).
I was driving past and I saw that it had reopened , so I stopped and dropped a business card off to the spotty kid behind the bar.
Two weeks went by and I got a phone call , enquiring about rates / hours etc.

It was the landlord of this pub and he wanted karaoke on thursday nights , we agreed a price (escalating rate over a period of a few weeks) and we agreed that I'll work for a number of weeks to ''see how it goes''.

The 1st week he shortchanged me by £30 , his excuse was the pub was really quiet. It was quiet but he certainly sold enough booze to cover my ''agreed'' fee.
I thought that I may be cutting off my nose to spite my wossname if I start to kick off so early in our relationship , so I kept schtum , bit my tongue and filed that experience away in my head.
The following thursday I got the amount we has agreed on , there was no offer of recompensen for the missing 30 quid from the previous week mind.

Now bear in mind , week 1 was quiet but still proffitable ( I am privy to what the minimum % of takings is proffit in the pub game).
Week 2 was certainly busier , this is probably why I got my correct fee.

Week 3 , I arrived in good time to set up .
The landlord wasn't around ,I started lugging my gear into the pub.
One of the bar staff came over and muttered something about ''if it's not busy enough by 10:30 I aught to pack up my gear and I'll get paid proportionally'' (9 to 10:30).

Here we go again I thought to myself , so I got my phone out and I rand the landlord.
His phone rang and rang and rang but it went through to answerphone and I left a very polite message asking him to phone me asap.
10 min's went by and still no call back.
So I called again , but this time I withheld my number - lo' and behold the landlord answered his phone !
I asked him what he thought he was upto and he proceeded to come out with a load of whaffle
In the time I'd wasted waiting for him to call back I noticed that the pub was getting rather busy , so I pointed this fact out to this landlord.
He persisted with the argument that he wanted me to work (and get paid) only if the pub was busy.
We has an argument (over the phone) about what we had agreed and shaken hands on , but he stood firm on trying to manipulate me. It got the the point where I thought to myself that he (the landlord) simply isn't worth the stress that is building up inside me , so I hung up on the phone call , put my gear back into my car and went back home.

I'd rather not have the hassle and stress than work every thursday for a conman.

If any of you get the chance of a regular gig such as this - don't let the person that hires you also bully you into something that differs from your prior arrangement .
I'm lucky I guess as I don't rely on the money I was getting from him , if you have standards - stick to them.

[Corabar Entertainment]

I'd be interested to know if you'd bothered with a contract (ie put your arrangement in writing) - I'm guessing not from the situation that's arisen - and also, how you handled the fact that the invoice you gave to the landlord in week 1 was for £30 more than he paid you?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Never ever come close!

I've had gigs where I wish I was somewhere else but packing up and leaving? Never.

[Digital Jack]

I'd be interested to know if you'd bothered with a contract (ie put your arrangement in writing) - I'm guessing not from the situation that's arisen - and also, how you handled the fact that the invoice you gave to the landlord in week 1 was for £30 more than he paid you?



How many public houses do you know actualy bother with such things ?

I am not a big enough mobile institution to warrant such behaviour anyway , just like many of the folk that frequent this forum.

[Corabar Entertainment]

How many public houses do you know actualy bother with such things ?
Every single one we've ever worked in. Contracts aside (which benefit both parties), they require the invoices for their accounts.

I am not a big enough mobile institution to warrant such behaviour anyway , just like many of the folk that frequent this forum.I don't see what size has to do with issuing contracts and invoices. Could you explain that statement further?

Are you saying you don't ever issue either? :confused:

[Digital Jack]

I've never had a regular spot anywhere - beit club , pub or mental health institution.
No paperwork was issued in this situation as I was dipping my toe in the water , seeing if it would pan out in the manner in which I hoped it would.
If it had worked out , a contract would certainly have been a requirement.
The fact that no contract was drawn up has done both myself and the landlord a favour , what would be the point of taking him to court for a measley sum of money?
I could work on the basis that a verbal agreement is in itself a contract , but then he could argue the toss and in turn sue me for walking off the job.

Fortunately or otherwise , I do not profess at running my business as professionaly as you obviously do.But then I am me , I am not you.

However , contracts and invoices do certainly play part in the other work that I take on , I would indeed be a fool if this wasn't the case.
Why would anyone take on something as important as a wedding (for example) without doing your best to ensure you wouldn't end up getting sued
for not covering your back (eg; legalities ).

You appear to be concerned as to how I run my interests , how would it upset you if I were to never issue a contract or invoice.

I ask this of you because you saw fit to ask me.
Which in itself is rather going off topic isn't it ??

[Corabar Entertainment]

Which in itself is rather going off topic isn't it ??Granted. I am guilty of that. Apologies to all for that



You appear to be concerned as to how I run my interests , how would it upset you if I were to never issue a contract or invoice.

Are you aware of the basic concept of this forum? (ie one of the main aims is to promote best practice and good ethics in the industry)

Tell you what, you don't post and nobody will ask questions.

[Excalibur]

Right, brace yourselves folk, this is going to be a long one.

Many years ago, when I was a wage slave, fitting discos in could be tricky, especially in harvest. I had worked the Friday night in the local Village Hall, with a lovely band. When we asked where each other was working Saturday, we were pleased and surprised to find we were half a mile down the road. I'd been booked by the pub I worked at regularly, so no dramas. They had a name which rang alarm bells with me. I apprised them of my fears, and advised caution.

Saturday night came, I was wiped out already from late nights and long days, so not a happy bunny.When I arrived, there was a marquee set up in the pub grounds, ready for a big wedding. I walked into the pub and asked the owners who I was working for, them or the customer. On being told I was working for the customer, I thanked them, and waved goodbye. I was gone. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

The pub staff stopped me, calmed me down, rang the customer and got him there. A frank exchange of views followed, And I got my cash up front ( which was unusual in those days ). We had a fabulous wedding, everybody happy, ( and the band was paid for by having a whip round!!! ) My fears were justified, but I got my money. Without it, due to the history, I would gleefully have walked.

[Ecstatic Events]

packing up and leaving? Never.

Thats VERY extreme.

The original post was along the lines of "refusing to unload or even start a gig" not packing up and leaving :confused:

I was hoping for horror payment stories, physical abuse, physically no allocated space to set up etc.

But as usual, the forum doesnt take long to start taking the :Censored: out of people posting that aren't in the clique, I'm finding the good gig, bad gig thread amusing today ;)

[Excalibur]

The original post was along the lines of "refusing to unload or even start a gig" not packing up and leaving :confused:

Exactly what I gave you. Some folk are never satisfied. :p :D :D :D :D :D

[Ecstatic Events]

Sorry Peter - A story like the one you gave was what I was expecting to hear.

Not the obvious "I'm far too professional to even consider it" type response.

I bet a fair few DJ's have been in similar positions in they're honest ;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I must admit that I have a couple of examples and before anyone jumps on me for not being professional.....they were a long time ago and 2 different scenarios.

The first one was way back in the day and I was DJing at a 50th Birthday. I was working for my mate who ran his own business at the time and it was doing very well. The guy always wanted to DJ aswell and had been out with me a few times, observing how I did stuff. I didn't have my own gear around that time so used to use his. He would usually watch me for a couple of hours and then go out and about in the van so that he could see how the others were getting on and be available should anyone need him.

On the way to the gig I started feeling really ill. I don't know what it was but it was horrible. I tried to ignore it as best as I could and carried on. We set up, got going and I kept saying to my mate that I didn't know if I could carry on for the rest of the night. He wasn't silly. He was getting the idea in his head that he would have to cover me and more or less be flung in at the deep end so he said "Right, I'm off in a second". Even when I went outside and puked my guts up, he was still intent on going. In the end I said "Sorry but I can't do this". Whatever it was that was making me ill wasn't nice and I was getting very anxious too so the situation was horrible. I called a taxi and left him to continue so yes, I walked out.

Luckily he was there as I am not sure what I would have done but you know what? He loved every minute of it and said it was the best thing being flung in at the deep end so not too bad at the end of the day and the customer had 2 DJ's for the price of one!

The other scenario was when I was working for Yates's and Litten Tree years ago. I was DJing in various Yates's and Litten Tree venues in the south and usually had a hassle free time. The manager at the Camberley branch of Yates's said to me one day that they wanted to try Karaoke so I started doing a Karaoke night for them on a wednesday which got very popular. I've mentioned this before on the forum so I'll cut it short but what happened was one wednesday evening it all kicked off in spectacular fashion when there was a HUGE fight between 2 rival groups of Para regiments.

People were hurt, the equipment was smashed up (the monitor was picked up off it's stand and thrown through the air. It landed on the floor, just missing some girls and exploded). It must have looked quite funny looking back on it because all around me it was kicking off and I was up on the stage packing things away and trying to dodge flying glasses etc. I was up and out of there in minutes and never went back. I called the manager the next day and found out that they had no door staff on that night (apparently they never did on a wednesday night).I got sent a cheque for the damage to the monitor and my wages for the night and a letter of apology asking me to go back - I never did.

So, there you go...2 scenarios. I'm pretty sure that even the people that have said "No, I will never leave a gig" would have thought twice about that last example. It wasn't nice. It was bloody scary but I guess you had to be there!

[djtrev]

I think you are being a bit harsh on DigitalDiscos there Angela.There are much bigger businesses than ours that are not averse to doing deals that dont involve contracts and invoices.It happens.In any case he does admit to using contracts and invoices for some of the work that he does.
Deep down we all have this business at heart but sometimes you have to cut corners.There cant be many of us that have not done that.
Its a bit refreshing in a way that someone has come on the forum and put a different slant on things.It is not going to alter the way I work or indeed the majority of the guys on here.

[STEVE HANLEY]

[it all kicked off in spectacular fashion when there was a HUGE fight between 2 rival groups of Para regiments]

Very wise Gary. Being an ex Para myself the best piece of of advice I could give any dj when these lads kick off.


GET THE :Censored: OUT OF THERE QUICKLY:D :D ;)

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Honestly Steve, it was nasty!
The night was going well and a girl was in the middle of a song when a group of around 30 guys walked in. Around half of them went to the bar with the other half coming right up to the stage to watch. The smallest guy out of the lot jumped up on stage and told me "I'm singing next" and just stood there, staring at me. I didn't have a clue who they were but it looked like some of the punters did as they started to move to different tables. The other half of the guys arrived from the bar with loads of bottles of WKD and the small guy on stage shook his up and covered the monitor and the girl singing with it.

I had a word and he told me to go and do one and just as he was jumping about the rest of the guys started shouting "1 Para, 1 Para!!". It was then that I realised it could get dodgy. Then all of sudden in walked another large group guys and they didn't go to the bar, they made their way to towards the stage quickly shouting "2 Para, 2 Para" and it went from there. It was nasty big time. It seemed like it went on for ages before the MP's got there and when they did, all of these hardmen seemed like lost puppies.

I had one huge guy jump up on stage and come over to me and apologise for the damage and as he was doing it, he was marched out the door by MP's. One girl was covered in blood as she had been hit in the face by a thick, glass ashtray that had been thrown.

Never again!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think you are being a bit harsh on DigitalDiscos there Angela.There are much bigger businesses than ours that are not averse to doing deals that dont involve contracts and invoices.It happens.In any case he does admit to using contracts and invoices for some of the work that he does.
Deep down we all have this business at heart but sometimes you have to cut corners.There cant be many of us that have not done that.
Its a bit refreshing in a way that someone has come on the forum and put a different slant on things.It is not going to alter the way I work or indeed the majority of the guys on here.


A different slant? Not issuing invoices and contracts? We are here to promote best practise, not cutting corners.

And if you think that people don't change the way they work because of advice and info put on forums, you are wrong.

Yeah, don't bother with invoices or contracts, or bother paying tax, paying for music, having PLI, getting PAT tested...sheesh.

[DiscoPromotions]

A different slant? Not issuing invoices and contracts? We are here to promote best practise, not cutting corners.

And if you think that people don't change the way they work because of advice and info put on forums, you are wrong.

Yeah, don't bother with invoices or contracts, or bother paying tax, paying for music, having PLI, getting PAT tested...sheesh.

Without a contract with pubs for regular contract work you leave it open to be abused. I think in today's world there is no more gentlemen's handshakes

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have a contract with my local even though I have known them for absolute yonks and they are friends. I also invoice them everytime I play and I am paid on the night. They are flexible with me and vice versa.

[Corabar Steve]

A different slant? Not issuing invoices and contracts? We are here to promote best practise, not cutting corners.

And if you think that people don't change the way they work because of advice and info put on forums, you are wrong.

Yeah, don't bother with invoices or contracts, or bother paying tax, paying for music, having PLI, getting PAT tested...sheesh.
My thoughts exactly. Threads over the past couple of days have shown
just how many of our members should have this :cowboy: in their signature & Roy Rogers as their avatar.

Some people just never learn or are too stuck in their ways to even try

Sheesh indeed!

[Corabar Steve]

Threads over the past couple of days have shown
just how many of our members should have this :cowboy: in their signature & Roy Rogers as their avatar.
Of course I'm not talking about the only person on the forum who does have it in his sig & rightly so, our very own singing cowboy & C&W DJ extrodinaire Crazy K

[Excalibur]

Of course I'm not talking about the only person on the forum who does have it in his sig & rightly so, our very own singing cowboy & C&W DJ extrodinaire Crazy K

Indeed. And dealings with him always have every i dotted, and t crossed. Very thorough is our very own dear Cowboy. ( Yes Alan, it's all in hand. Don't panic. )

[djtrev]

Come on now.Nobody is saying that what he did is what we should all do,its just interesting reading someone elses viewpoint.
Of course we should have PLI and PAT and some would say Pro Dub but I bet there are more with 2 out of the 3.
I didnt say that people didn't change the way they work because of the advice given here or anywhere else,that is one of the good things about DJ forums-the good advice that is freely given.
Everybody,and I mean everybody on this forum and any of the other DJ sites know the score.Everything should be done legally and above board but who are we to sit in judgement if somebody chooses not to go by the rules.Its their choice,all we can do is sit on the moral high ground and point them in the right direction the rest is up to them.
I spent years doing discos and supplying music for events without a contract or invoice and never ever had problems.Some of it was because I was employed by the clients and some was because that was the way they wanted it to be.To be honest at the time I dont think I was ever aware of PLI/PAT,my equipment was insured that was all I assumed I needed.I was never a threat to anyone elses business;all my work was for three venues.
Times have changed and thro reading the advice on forums I have had to change my practices and 'toe the line' but that doesnt mean that the occasion might not arise where maybe I would need to 'bend' the rules a bit.As far as I am concerned thats what DigitalDiscos is doing.

[James]

I nearly never set up on Friday just gone

Arrived at the venue to find that all 3 lifts were out of order, and there was no way on gods earth i was carting all the equipment up 4 filghts of stairs

Fortunately, they had an on site crew, who did carry all the equipment upstairs

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have unfortunately had to pack up and leave a 50th wedding anniversary about 5 months ago now. (To make matters worse, the person who booked it, I worked with)...........

That was it music straight off and very polite announcement made and I was packing down. (probably the most awkward pack down i've ever had to do).

With still over 2 1/2 hours left of the night they were soon ringing around asking if anyone was free to come and play. So there you have it.


Never ever come close!

I've had gigs where I wish I was somewhere else but packing up and leaving? Never.


Thats VERY extreme.

The original post was along the lines of "refusing to unload or even start a gig" not packing up and leaving :confused:

I was hoping for horror payment stories, physical abuse, physically no allocated space to set up etc.

But as usual, the forum doesnt take long to start taking the :Censored: out of people posting that aren't in the clique, I'm finding the good gig, bad gig thread amusing today ;)


Think you'll find I was replying to ronedjs post. You cut out the first line of my post which answered the OP too.

[soundtracker]

People that aren't in the clique?? Ah you mean that acting professionally clique!

[Ecstatic Events]

Thanks for all the responses so far - Interesting reading :)

One thing I'd like to mention though. Is the "mods" obviously have a wealth of experience and could really contribute to the thread with some good stories. Instead, I only see negative replies to other peoples posts. I'm not saying I disagree with any of you, but a story or two would be nice :confused:

[Ecstatic Events]

People that aren't in the clique?? Ah you mean that acting professionally clique!

Not really Pete. Just generally :D

[Corabar Steve]

Of course we should have PLI and PAT and some would say Pro Dub but I bet there are more with 2 out of the 3..Yes, because not everyone (most of our DJs included) need ProDub. Most professionals will have PLI & PAT (& ProDub (if they need it))

Everybody,and I mean everybody on this forum and any of the other DJ sites know the score.Everything should be done legally and above board but who are we to sit in judgement if somebody chooses not to go by the rules.More professional individuals for a start

I spent years doing discos and supplying music for events without a contract or invoice and never ever had problems.Some of it was because I was employed by the clients and some was because that was the way they wanted it to be.To be honest at the time I dont think I was ever aware of PLI/PAT,my equipment was insured that was all I assumed I needed.I was never a threat to anyone elses business;all my work was for three venues.But you've learned by your mistakes & are doing things the right way & utilising best practice.


Right, that addressed, now back on topic



Thanks for all the responses so far - Interesting reading :)

One thing I'd like to mention though. Is the "mods" obviously have a wealth of experience and could really contribute to the thread with some good stories. Instead, I only see negative replies to other peoples posts. I'm not saying I disagree with any of you, but a story or two would be nice :confused:I can truly say that I've never had to (or have even considered doing) walk off site or pack up early (other than in instances where the guests have left early & there was nobody left to play to).

I've had venues that lifts weren't working, I've had venues with such ridiculously low ceilings that I couldn't even get the uprights on the Ultimax up let alone the crossbar & lights. I've been asked to set up in an area that's footprint was about 2' square, I've arrived at venues to find that I've been moved outside with little more than a parasol for cover.

BUT,...... & it's a crucial but, Stairs have been climbed & things have been explained & a compromise has been made, the show has gone on. Yes lights have been setup in the legs of speaker stands, tables have been moved, & the disco has gone back indoors or a gazebo has been found. The show has gone on, because a contract works both ways & the client is entitled to you doing the job that they've paid for.


OK, one story for you. I did once tell the manager of a venue that unless I was going to get adequate space & power, that he was going to be the one who was going to have to explain to his clients just why they didn't have a disco for their wedding reception. I also made it clear that I would be contacting the B&G to explain the exact situation that this stroppy rectum head was causing to prevent me from setting up. I guess the thought of an irate bride & groom with no entertainment & blaming him was enough to change his mind.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I know what you mean about low ceilings too! I am in a venue later tonight that has a nice stage but low ceiling so the uprights on the Ultimax will more than likely have to go on the lowest of the low setting. I say 'more than likely' because I haven't been to the venue for around a year and I had the Giraffe stand then so this is the first time going there with the Ultimax. I am sure the Giraffe stand was higher so fingers crossed, it should be ok.

[Corabar Steve]

The one in question was so low, the uprights wouldn't even go in with the bottom of the pole on the floor.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Bloody Hell!
I was going to say that if they don't fit on the lowest setting, I would put the poles on the floor. I am sure it would be safe enough eh? Especially if the safety clips on the middle connector is secure? No'one can get to me up on the stage and the stand is weighted down with the playout system and amp etc..

[Excalibur]

I can truly say that I've never had to (or have even considered doing) walk off site or pack up early (other than in instances where the guests have left early & there was nobody left to play to).

I've had venues that lifts weren't working, I've had venues with such ridiculously low ceilings that I couldn't even get the uprights on the Ultimax up let alone the crossbar & lights. I've been asked to set up in an area that's footprint was about 2' square, I've arrived at venues to find that I've been moved outside with little more than a parasol for cover.

BUT,...... & it's a crucial but, Stairs have been climbed & things have been explained & a compromise has been made, the show has gone on. Yes lights have been setup in the legs of speaker stands, tables have been moved, & the disco has gone back indoors or a gazebo has been found. The show has gone on, because a contract works both ways & the client is entitled to you doing the job that they've paid for.
.
Other than the story I told earlier, Steve we're singing off the same hymnsheet. I've worked under gazebos, on balconies, on trailers, out of my box trailer, I've sat on my CD boxes when I've had no room, I've found power from Lord knows where, but as you say:

"The show must go on!"
Rule 1, rule 2, and rule 3.

[Ecstatic Events]

"The show must go on!"
Rule 1, rule 2, and rule 3.

I like that - pointless thread really :eek:

[STEVE HANLEY]

[Honestly Steve, it was nasty!]

Unfortunately Gary when Paras let their hair down. This is what they do sometimes (Not all the time mind you) I have never condoned it, but it's all part of their make up, being nasty :Censored: when we're dropped behind enemy lines:mad: :mad:

[Excalibur]

I like that - pointless thread really :eek:
Errr, I'd go for "Thought rovoking", rather than Pointless.


Unfortunately Gary when Paras let their hair down. This is what they do sometimes (Not all the time mind you) I have never condoned it, but it's all part of their make up, being nasty :Censored: when we're dropped behind enemy lines:mad: :mad:

In that case Steve, please regard Reflex as home turf. ;)

[STEVE HANLEY]

[In that case Steve, please regard Reflex as home turf. ;)]

Roll on this year again Peter;) :D :D