Private House Party Enquiry

[SPJ]

Just had an email enquiry from a local flyer-shot I've done.

Have been asked to quote for a 40th Garden Party in a nice part of town.

Anyone had any experience of this type of gig (good or bad)?
Could be noise complaints issues I guess if I'm not careful, though from where the enquiry is from the houses are hardly on top of each other :cool:

I'm wondering whether to quote for it or not? Have asked for a bit more info and a contact no in the meantime.

any advise, chaps?

Cheers
Steve

[Vectis]

Go for it! Some of my best parties have been house parties.

Are they having a marquee or do they expect you to set up under a gazebo or inside the garage door?

Are they inviting the neighbours? That's one way of minimising the nuisance aspect.

Make sure your T's & C's for the event clearly set out what will happen in the event of nuisance complaints - ie. stage 1 strip out bass (it travels further), stage 2 turn down volume, stage 3 curtail.

Probably be no problem whatsoever especially if it's a big house/garden in a well-to-do area.

[spin mobile disco]

One problem with private house parties are if the people become trouble you have no backup.

[Danno13]

I did a 50th birthday garden party last year. Went over to have a look at the house, and he was setting up a marquee/shade type cover which I could setup under, which seemed safe enough. Neighbours were all invited and music was to stop at half 11 anyway, so no problems there.

It all went fine, not loads of people, but worked well as they were all the same age, really nice couple as well who made me feel welcome and I was told to help myself to food etc.

I'd definatley arrange to go meet them first, just so you can see what the layout is. I almost bought myself a cheap gazebo type thing to setup under, so thats always an option if they can't provide cover, or better still put you indoors.

[PropellerHeadCase]

True garden parties are often all about groovy gentle foot-tapping stuff rather than all out party tunes which makes noise complaints less likely.

[Steve 'B']

I have never done a house party that has not gone on alot later than aggreed.

[Spirits High]

Last one i did was ment to finish at 1am , client came over at 2345 and asked us to play til 3am!

No noise dramas as we were right out in the sticks, one of the best nights we've done as it was an 80's theme night!

take the booking!!!!!

[dj-jaym]

One problem with private house parties are if the people become trouble you have no backup.

Why you should have a spare t bar filled with concrete ;) normaly sorts any trouble out

[sparc]

Why don't you go and visit the client to actually find out what they want you to do, and if you can provide it?

[axeman]

I echo some of the above sentiments, there is no closing time so even if you agree a finishing time its hard to stick to it, as you get surrounded by people pleading etc, so i would make sure you agree an hourly overtime rate or something along those lines.

[Dragonfly]

ive done 2 or three now of this type some really successful some not and one just scary , if your t and c are ater tight with regards to power coverage , overtime nuisance noise , and moron behaviour (last one i did was free bar also all day !!!) the infamouse gazebo wedding lol ...... you cant ask the venue for back up you are on your tod sloane.

I did a charity garden party a few years back ..... brilliant night all really lovely people no one got hammered just merry and they were all superbly polite.

as long as all the bases are covered no different from any other booking.

[SPJ]

Thanks for the advice.


Sound like it could be fun if it goes well. much like any other gig, I guess.
The initial enquiry was based on a 7.30 till 12, but you know you're going to be talking wee small hours with a house party ;)


I'm just waiting on a contact number or call so I can discuss in more detail as I only got the enquiry by email and wasn't going to quote 'blind'

Will post an update...

[KrazyKaz]

I've done a house and also a garden party (marquee in the garden) Two of the best gigs I've done.

[Excalibur]

Thanks for the advice.


Sound like it could be fun if it goes well. much like any other gig, I guess.
The initial enquiry was based on a 7.30 till 12, but you know you're going to be talking wee small hours with a house party ;)


I'm just waiting on a contact number or call so I can discuss in more detail as I only got the enquiry by email and wasn't going to quote 'blind'

Will post an update...

Easiest way is just book a bed for the night!

[DJWayne]

I think you can only get yourself into trouble over noise after 11pm as before that there is very little enviromental health can do unless you are ludicrously loud. Would make sure you advise the client that if there are noise complaints you may have to end the evening a bit early as i have seen environmental health get very heavy handed and turn up with a van and attempt to confiscate your gear. This happened to me once i was only booked untiil 11.30 and they turned up at 11.00 demanding that they remove the equipment. I quickly explained to them that touching my any of my gear would be seriously detrimental to their healtth and they decided to let me pack up and leave without any further hassle. This party was a family BBQ and i have to say the music wasn't even loud you could happily have a conversation without struggling to be heard.

Now if i take house / garden party booking i always make sure the client is aware of the implications

[Dragonfly]

when we used to have family / house partys my mates dad was in the local police force and would always be invited..........whenever the neighbours phoned threatening to call the police about the noise .....

"theyre already here would you like a word?" :D :D :D :D :D

[dodgydj]

Just a few things to remember when booked to play in a garden Marquee or Gazebo. I learned these through experience:

Don't expect them to have a spare table for you to set up on: if you usually use a hotel table, rather than your own deckstand. You can usually pick up lightweight folding tables (Not pasting tables....again experience) at any village hall function......only joking, lookon ebay.

Unless the Marquee has a floor installed, the ground may not be level, so be careful with speakers on tripods, I ALWAYS use my bass bins in Marquees even if I don't plug them in as they are much more stable than my speaker stands on uneven ground.

Same goes for Lighting on tripods. be aware that it may be less stable than it would be in a hall. I try to have my main lighting tripod tied to the marquee in some way.

But yeah, House parties are brilliant. I love Marquees as I have a projector and project dvd's on the roof of the Marquee (Usually shadow dancer discs)

[Have a disco]

never had any hassle with private parties most are in back garden with most neighbours invited. 11.00 I always lower the sound to non booming just incase any leave early and most pay really well

[Penfold42]

Anything else to look out for when doing these?

I'm going to be set up in the house - i think 2 full range speakers and two lights should be enough.........:)

Any down falls to look for?
Never done one but anymore advise would help....:)

Thanks.

[Dragonfly]

I'm going to be set up in the house - i think 2 full range speakers and two lights should be enough.........:)

Thanks.

you cowboy :D :D :D :D :D :D

sorry sorry .

Just be aware of Space Tony no point in filling a room with disco so

a. everyone has to dance in the garden
b. party starts at 8pm ...... party closed down by police at 8.10pm because of noise.

i would say 2 moonflowers would be fine and take a 3rd to shine at the ceiling if need be.

and my advice have strict end time or you will be there all night private parties also usually have free bars so if there is a bbq at say 4 they will start drinking then.

my worst gig this year was at a private wedding at someones house i arrived at 7pm they were all hammered.

also no drinking hours or venue manager to tell people when enough is enough. so just beware .... i shouldnt think you will have any problem though the lady sounded lovely.

[Penfold42]

Yes that's what i thought...nice early finish..........:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

No - i'll only be keeping the sheep awake.......:eek: :D

Agree with the lights - Wildtech on ceiling, Goboflower and Stormbird i thought.......

Did you check you e-mails.........:confused:
Thought i sent it you.........:)

:beer1:

[TonyB]

Anything else to look out for when doing these?

I'm going to be set up in the house - i think 2 full range speakers and two lights should be enough.........:)

Any down falls to look for?
Never done one but anymore advise would help....:)

Thanks.

As I mentioned before, I think a pre gig visit is essential to see the size of the room and where they are going to put you. If its a smallish room then it may be better if you set up the other way round against a wall to save on space. It may mean that you have your back to the audience some of the time.

Lights will also warm the room up pretty quickly so lower powered (100w lights) are better and not so overpowering in a smaller room.

Also watch the ceiling height. I've hit the ceiling with a speaker pole when packing away before but luckily it didn't do any damage.

You probably won't be able to fit a stand in either so make sure there is a table or something else available to set up on.

[Dragonfly]

Did you check you e-mails.........:confused:
Thought i sent it you.........:)

:beer1:

indeed i got it but you did phone me 5 minutes later and ask the same question :D :D :D :D :D

[Dillmiester]

Do it, there great fun! Better atmosphere than alot of partys as people are more relaxed, after all you are more carefull about who you invite to come to your home! (unless it gets on the tinternet).
oooo yes, if your using stands or frames etc its a good idea to take some bits of wood, like floor boarding off cuts to level out and secure your rig. Not many peoples gardens are flat.