does this get your goat?

[electricnite]

:mad: Last night I did a gig in a large hotel chain which has a resident disco, ain't me i may add. now the gig was for the school which I attended to which I do all the gigs for now, and each gig is quite special to me for that reason. now because I'm NOT the resident disco of this hotel my night was made a misery by the hotel staff (duty manageress and her desciples) now to me this was a disgusting display of professionalism on the hotels behalf. Questions i asked ..would it be possible to get a table... no they are all in use. would it be ok to do a sound check ...... we have a conference in most certainly not (the conference had just broke for lunch i may add). could i have a glass please.... why..... i bring my own diet coke......you can't drink that in here we'll have to charge corkage. I mean guys I was made as welcome as a fart in an astronaut suit.probably on about £8,000 a year!!! has anyone experienced behavior like this. I'm totally disgusted and will be writing a stern letter to the manager wondering how this creature got the job as m and e manager.

[dj-jaym]

no sympathy im afraid on certain issues.

The table one has been addressed earlier on another thread,

Regarding taking your own coke and asking for a glass to be honest this is a joke, Come on would you go to pub take your own 4 pack and ask bar for a glass, If your gona do it drink it out the bottle on the sly as such.

The sound check i think you should have just done it not asked !

[Corabar Steve]

Just ask for a glass of water & use the same glass

[dj-jaym]

Just ask for a glass of water & use the same glass

Ask for tap water, You may get stung for a bottle of water like a freind of mine lol

[Ricesnaps]

no sympathy im afraid on certain issues.

The table one has been addressed earlier on another thread,

Regarding taking your own coke and asking for a glass to be honest this is a joke, Come on would you go to pub take your own 4 pack and ask bar for a glass, If your gona do it drink it out the bottle on the sly as such.

The sound check i think you should have just done it not asked !

It's a bit like going to work in a office and being told you can only drink can's you've bought from the office vending machine really. After all, when we are all out gigging, we're actually at work. Now I'm sure nobody would have a problem if I took a pack up to eat at my desk would they?

[dj-jaym]

It's a bit like going to work in a office and being told you can only drink can's you've bought from the office vending machine really. After all, when we are all out gigging, we're actually at work. Now I'm sure nobody would have a problem if I took a pack up to eat at my desk would they?

Would you ask your boss to provide a plate of glass for your packup rice ?


If its a long gig i do take a mineral water cooler 19 litre type and cups, But this is normaly approved first

[Ricesnaps]

Would you ask your boss to provide a plate of glass for your packup rice ?


If its a long gig i do take a mineral water cooler 19 litre type and cups, But this is normaly approved first

Actually, to be fair, my employer provides fresh coffee / tea / chocolate and the cups to go with it, so yes, I probably would expect a glass.

After all, surely I could just pop to the staff canteen for a glass if I wanted one?

[dj-jaym]

Actually, to be fair, my employer provides fresh coffee / tea / chocolate and the cups to go with it, so yes, I probably would expect a glass.

After all, surely I could just pop to the staff canteen for a glass if I wanted one?

I do for my employees to rice, But the point is its not there for granted as im sure your employer is aware, IF they didnt offer it you then you wouldnt expect it would you.

I think there is a difference between a normal job and working as a dj mobile, And from what i have seen DJ's seem to go into a hotel thinking they rule and demand stuff i.e tables glasses etc, Not saying you do this rice or anyone else but i have seen on several occasions

[DJ Frankie]

I agree with Steve, get yourself a glass of water from the bar and use the glass for your own drink. I normally drink about 3 or 4 pints of iced water from the bar this normally does me and its healthier.

[Dragonfly]

no sympathy im afraid on certain issues.

The table one has been addressed earlier on another thread,

Regarding taking your own coke and asking for a glass to be honest this is a joke, Come on would you go to pub take your own 4 pack and ask bar for a glass, If your gona do it drink it out the bottle on the sly as such.

The sound check i think you should have just done it not asked !

In fairness Jake you go to the pub for a drink you go to a function to work and i dont think a glass to put a drink in is an unreasonable request , i hate going to work and having to pay £3 everytime i am thirsty .....

most places if you work for them in the catering industry will give you a food and drink allowance and as said you are there to work not socialise for fun.

from now on guys your kit should consist of

2 full disco rigs incase one breaks down

a fully stocked mini bar
a 64 piece cutlery set
a portaloo
6 glasses
a chip van
6 plates

ooooooooooooohhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!! deep breath dragon.

also most places do provide tea coffee for staff on breaks you may be asked to take your own mug on the first day.

in response ... on the table front ..... 2 bits of wood or an ironing board stress removed.

sound check ... if the conference had broken for lunch find the co ordinator and ask if theyd mind a 10 minute sound check..

a glass ..... as said ask for a glass of tap water and keep the glass for your coke.


yes i have had a pratty venue who had a resident not me ....... they phoned me and told me the disco had to be in and ready set up by .......

9am when they dressed the room ,......

got there and was told i couldnt actually set up until 6pm that evening.

[dj-jaym]

In fairness Jake you go to the pub for a drink you go to a function to work and i dont think a glass to put a drink in is an unreasonable request , i hate going to work and having to pay £3 everytime i am thirsty .....

most places if you work for them in the catering industry will give you a food and drink allowance and as said you are there to work not socialise for fun.

True dave but you shouldnt expect it, Most place go to give free drinks etc but i would expect free alchohol all night

[Dragonfly]

I do for my employees to rice, But the point is its not there for granted as im sure your employer is aware, IF they didnt offer it you then you wouldnt expect it would you.

I think there is a difference between a normal job and working as a dj mobile, And from what i have seen DJ's seem to go into a hotel thinking they rule and demand stuff i.e tables glasses etc, Not saying you do this rice or anyone else but i have seen on several occasions


Again Jake I agree with you on many things but i think its fair to take it for granted that a HOTEL will have a glass knocking around somewhere. what was needed was for a bride or groom to say to them .....

yes hes the dj but also an invited guest and frriend and you have just been difficult with him .......mmmmmm........ wonder how much money we can get back from the hotel for that ...... and how much trouble you are going to be in.........

ok this scenario is unlikely but ive done a couple of friends weddings in the past......

[Dragonfly]

True dave but you shouldnt expect it, Most place go to give free drinks etc but i would expect free alchohol all night

absolutely mate i agree but this chap had taken his own drink and all he wanted was a recepticle to put it in ..... lets face it looks bad for the dj and infact the face of the hotel if the dj is stood swigging a 2 litre bottle of coke behind the disco ..... particularly if its made known the only reaon hes doing it is because he was not allowed a glass??????

[Dillmiester]

We currently employ the "never ending drink method".
We each take a 2L bottle of shandy bass to each gig.
We both buy a pint of bitter at the start of the night from the bar and this is topped up with shandy as we go.
Simple and effective, plus we dont end up *Expletive Removed, please refer to the forum rules* at the end.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

This is all about common sense and it seems some people don't have any.

I am always polite when working with staff in unknown establishments. I always introduce myself and have a little joke with the staff, putting everyone at ease.

I then ask the management if it's ok to drink my own bottle of water, as I won't be able to get to the bar and back in time etc.

I've never had a problem if I need a table and as previously stated, if the Hotel/establishment isn't busy, I quite often get a courtesy room.

It does make me wonder how some of you guys approach this situation to be honest.

[ross@rds]

I take my own drinks i there ask for a glass of Irn Bru normaly cost about 50p so not there dear or i just ask for a glass of water most hotels will have a water machine kicking about some where normaly in the reception area just take on of they cups. Or Even better get your self down to asda and get a pack of plastic cuts yes the ____ party cups lol but they do the job.

[Shaun]

It does make me wonder how some of you guys approach this situation to be honest.

You've never came across hotel staff that are unhelful?. I want some gigs in never never land too. :P.

I'm always friendly and corteous to a fault...even so, I occasionally come across hotel staff that are just plain ignorant, rude and condescending. Still....I remain friendly. Sometimes it doesn't matter how you apporach people, they'll be rude and unhelpful all the same. Granted these situations are few and far between for me...but they do happen.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You've never came across hotel staff that are unhelful?. I want some gigs in never never land too. :P.

I'm always friendly and corteous to a fault...even so, I occasionally come across hotel staff that are just plain ignorant, rude and condescending. Still....I remain friendly. Sometimes it doesn't matter how you apporach people, they'll be rude and unhelpful all the same. Granted these situations are few and far between for me...but they do happen.

Not down here in the South, where the sun is always shining and the streets are paved with gold....:p :D

Of course I've come across rude and unhelpful Hotel staff, but not any that refused to give me a table, no.

[Dragonfly]

Id agree Shaun just be really really nice to people and like you would a client make them feel important and that they are doing you the biggest favour the planet has ever seen ..... on sort of the same thing my prom last night at pride park "good evening pride park!!!!!!" god i love that.

arrived in the afternoon and the tabbes were dressed and room sorted ..... met up with the young lady who was organising the whole thing year 11 at school so 15-16 ....

she wanted the disco in a particular place and they had set tables there and it wasnt right for her.....

"come on then I said grabbing a table"

"what" she said looking suprised

"if its not right for you , you are paying for this we're gonna move the tables where you want them"

which is exactly what we did half an hour extra work for me but hey one happy lady that got what she wanted where she wanted it.

was a blinding night with a group of exceptional young people who were curtious and well mannered from start to finish and boy did they no how to party........... best request ..... 15 year old young lady

"excuse me please could you play Aritha Franklin Respect"

[BeerFunk]

no sympathy im afraid on certain issues.

The table one has been addressed earlier on another thread,

Regarding taking your own coke and asking for a glass to be honest this is a joke, Come on would you go to pub take your own 4 pack and ask bar for a glass, If your gona do it drink it out the bottle on the sly as such.

The sound check i think you should have just done it not asked !
Totally disagree on your outlook, I'm sorry but venue staff should always try to co-operate with contractors and third parties who are in working. First of all, why shouldn't they be helpful? Secondly, it works out best for everyone, most importantly the people footing the bill.

We're only talking about a table and a glass, how ridiculous to have them refused :thumbs_down:

[rob1963]

We're only talking about a table and a glass, how ridiculous to have them refused :thumbs_down:

Ahhhhh...the voice of reason!

Well said, Beerfunk!

:claphands:

[Dragonfly]

incidentally ......... where can i purchase of a goat???? :D :D :D

[spin mobile disco]

I normally buy a pint of coke or lemonade at the start of an evening and then top up with my own bottle under the table (provided by venue i might add ;) )
I play a lot of high class places like golf clubs 4 - 5 star hotels etc and the price per drink can be up £6 a glass, not all the time I admit but I wont know until I order it. So I take a bottle just incase.
I think its fair we can work 7 - 8 hours solid carting stuff setting up driving to venue etc and health and safety say we are entitled to break.
As no one wants us to have a break half way through their evening they accept we have to have a drink as we go and the occasional snack depending on length of gig.
I played with a band the other night and while we were waiing for guests to arrive we chatted about this and that.
In their terms and conditions they HAVE to be given at least one meal free drinks all night and use of at least 2 rooms at a hotel. Now thats a good terms and condition.

[pdarnett]

I know what gets my goat.....




that fox that lives round the corner.



on me third goat this year already!!!!!



Seriously though, its in my T & C's for corporate work that if the gig's more than 4 hours long then we need somewhere to get changed and something to drink and some "light refreshments". In the last ten years this has actually happened twice. Most of the time people don't bother reading them only if theres something that may work in their favour.

[electricnite]

no sympathy im afraid on certain issues.

The table one has been addressed earlier on another thread,

Regarding taking your own coke and asking for a glass to be honest this is a joke, Come on would you go to pub take your own 4 pack and ask bar for a glass, If your gona do it drink it out the bottle on the sly as such.

The sound check i think you should have just done it not asked !

if you had a daytime job you'd take your lunch and a drink. I take a drink for my lunch why should I pay £1.65 for a half of diet coke when asda sells 2 x 2litre bottles for £2.40. and the sound check its professional to ask permission if you don't and the rotary club on their meeting get a rendition of queen . it doesn't go down well . then the management would tar you with the same brush as muppets roadshow(you get my meaning)

[rob1963]

if you had a daytime job you'd take your lunch and a drink. I take a drink for my lunch why should I pay £1.65 for a half of diet coke when asda sells 2 x 2litre bottles for £2.40. and the sound check its professional to ask permission if you don't and the rotary club on their meeting get a rendition of queen . it doesn't go down well . then the management would tar you with the same brush as muppets roadshow(you get my meaning)

Well said that man!

I don't even bother with a sound check anyway...I just leave the eq & volume levels in their usual position & make any small adjustments to compensate for the room's acoustics after I've started.

Personally, I don't like hearing loud music blasting out of the disco room at high volume before the disco starts.

[Candybeatdiscos]

Ok time for my opinion,

I take my own stand now so no need for a table, but i have yet to be refused one before i had the stand, again i have a lugh and joke, get to know staff names etc as i usually thank the bar staff at end of the night, i usually ask the bar manager or supervisor if its ok to drink my own juice although i alsways usually buy 1 pint before the gig, sometimes they say yes, othertimes they say no but give me free soft drinks for the evening. Never been in a situation yet where they say no and make me pay for drinks all night, although one bar manager asked me to pay £1.40 (cost of a 2Litre bottle of coke) in return for free draft coke all night....weird...

Regarding soundcheck, this is a requirement to be honest and is therefore nessesary so if they refuse then they are technically preventing a 3rd party contracter from doing there jb, although as long as the confrence has actually broken for lunch there shouldn't be a problem. I have never had this problem yet either - gawd i am lucky.....

[theoloyla]

I have worked at some venues where the staff are positevely unfriendly amd unhelpful. You just have to take it in your stride and get on with it.

[wensleydale]

i think its unreasonable for all of the points mentioned to be refused, but it happens, so you have to cope.

if they are being specifically awkward then pointing out then just go around the situation- ask another member of staff or sort the problem yourself.

lifes too short.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I played with a band the other night and while we were waiing for guests to arrive we chatted about this and that.
In their terms and conditions they HAVE to be given at least one meal free drinks all night and use of at least 2 rooms at a hotel. Now thats a good terms and condition.

Yeah, I was going to mention this. Bands regularly get a rider of some kind, it's pretty much expected and no-one bats an eye-lid. If a DJ asks for the same people look at them funny.

But really, you set-up just as much PA as most bands, for some of us that's solo, too. Your "set" can be 4-6 or more hours, not the 45 minutes to an hour followed by a 15-20 minute break that bands can and do get.

Which just goes to show how much work has to be done to raise the general opinion of DJs.

[Corabar Steve]

You should try working Wembley Arena, the staff aren't unhelpful, just clueless. Bunch of Muppets!


I Just ran a spell check on the above sentence, Wembley & Muppet were highlighted. The first alternative for Wembley? Womble :d

[JAMdisco]

I used to do a lot of solo vocal work through an agent. If I ever came across unhelpful members of staff I just used to get on with it, get paid and tell my agent not to put me in that venue again.

As I am going into the mobile disco territory I reckon I will get similar venues. I will just get paid, not say thank you, leave and never play there again!

On a more positive note, most venues I have played have been more than happy to provide tables etc... but not necessarily free drinks, I just used to buy a large bottle of water at the service station on the way down and occasionally get iced tap water from the bar for free.

At the end of the day folks, you will get paid, put it down to experience and focus on the next "gig"

J

[theoloyla]

I used to do a lot of solo vocal work through an agent. If I ever came across unhelpful members of staff I just used to get on with it, get paid and tell my agent not to put me in that venue again.

As I am going into the mobile disco territory I reckon I will get similar venues. I will just get paid, not say thank you, leave and never play there again!

On a more positive note, most venues I have played have been more than happy to provide tables etc... but not necessarily free drinks, I just used to buy a large bottle of water at the service station on the way down and occasionally get iced tap water from the bar for free.

At the end of the day folks, you will get paid, put it down to experience and focus on the next "gig"

J
Dead right. Sensible grown up attitude. There is no need to throw your rattle out of the pram if morons are impolite and unhelpful to you when you are trying to do a job. If of course they make it impossible then you need to take action but otherwise ...

[DJ Frankie]

I cant believe how many of you guys drink pints of coke or gassy drinks whilst your gigging, god I would either be sick or full of wind :Embarassed:

[Dragonfly]

indeed it is a good attitude to have i have mellowed soooo much in the last few years and just take things as they come ..... near death experiences do that to you lol.

used to get really upset if.

had a tiny space to set up in
the house lights were on during the night
wasnt allowed to use this that or the other
staff were difficult
etc etc etc.

not because of some big ego thing but because id panic that customers werent getting the very best of what i could offer.

now just do my best to get round problems and as you rightly say if its a total nightmare venue a note goes in the back of the diary when i get home .... there is one venue in ilkeston that quotes start at £300 .... not been there this year.

have a wedding tonight which up until last week was in a separate room from the wedding breakfast and the first dance was can't take my eyes off you by frank sinatra?????

so i said ok thats great ill go down in the afternoonand get all set up then as soon as you finish your meal you can come through lovely smooth transition.

of course now they are eating in the same room as the disco and i cant get access until 6pm and lets just say its not straight out of the car into the venue 5ft carry. so called the couple and informed them that id spoken to the hotel and this was the case of course they want to start at 7pm so have said obviously things have changed since the booking in my t and c it clearly states 60-90 mins set up and sadly i cannot magically alter that .

i have enlisted help to set up to try and make this as quick as possible but the help does not finish their day job until 5pm at which point we will travel over immediately. and that i cant find "cant take my eyes off you" by frank sinatra would Andy williams be ok?

sadly this is the best i can offer with the change in circumstance they are fine with it but in days gone by id get really wound up about it ..... that as they say is life though.

communication skills are the key how to do it and when to do it.

[rob1963]

I cant believe how many of you guys drink pints of coke or gassy drinks whilst your gigging, god I would either be sick or full of wind :Embarassed:

DJ Frankie, that's a VERY good point!

I just drink tap water from a bottle.

However, there have been a few occasions when someone has offered me a drink at one of my pub quiz nights, and I've gone for a coke.

As you say, it's incredibly gassy, and there have been quite a few occasions when I've burped just before I was about to speak on the mic!

[electricnite]

i think it comes down to if the hotels etc are supposed to be professional then they should do it with everybody not just customers, half of them anyway need to get jobs in macdonalds cos they are that thick any way. point closed and good night

[BeerFunk]

i think it comes down to if the hotels etc are supposed to be professional then they should do it with everybody not just customers, half of them anyway need to get jobs in macdonalds cos they are that thick any way. point closed and good night
Firstly, I agree that some hotels need to look at how they handle the parties they work with, but I don't think that's the correct attitude to take.

Secondly, once again you are rubbishing people working in lower paid jobs - not all of them are 'thick' you know. Also, the 'point' (thread) stays open until admin or a moderator close it.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Secondly, once again you are rubbishing people working in lower paid jobs - not all of them are 'thick' you know.

Got to agree here.

There's no need.

[PropellerHeadCase]

i have enlisted help to set up to try and make this as quick as possible but the help does not finish their day job until 5pm at which point we will travel over immediately. and that i cant find "cant take my eyes off you" by frank sinatra would Andy williams be ok?

It will be Andy Williams, Sinatra never did a version, to my knowledge. Typical situation: you know 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' by that jazz/lounge singer, erm... Sinatra! They've heard the song, but don't own it, so they have no idea who it's by... the same people who used to mis-label MP3s on Napster and AudioGalaxy.

[Dragonfly]

thanks for that propeller ....... god wish i had a goat tonight id be kicking it round the living room.

[Tony Scott]

It will be Andy Williams, Sinatra never did a version, to my knowledge. Typical situation: you know 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' by that jazz/lounge singer, erm... Sinatra! They've heard the song, but don't own it, so they have no idea who it's by... the same people who used to mis-label MP3s on Napster and AudioGalaxy.

Oh I used to hate that mis-labeling thing, really used to wind me up. Then a lot of things used to! :mad:

I'm much calmer now! :) Ohmmmmmmmm.......Ohmmmmmmmm :) Think happy thoughts........Ohmmmmmmmm :)

2 months in Thailand, Ko Pang Yang full moon parties sorted that out! :D