Last Nights gig

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Well last nights gig for me was a nasty surprise when i got to the venue at 7pm.As usual i set everything up in the morning and return about 30 mins prior to starting time.When i arrived to my horror all my equipment had been moved to the back of the stage to make way for a band!What band i am asking myself because i knew nothing about sharing the night with a band.I dont like anyone moving my equipment once it is all assembled.Anyway my sound system did not sound great because of a band in front of it so the band said that i could plug into there sound system Great for me as it was a powered mackie system with lots of volume,In the end a good night was had by all but it turned out that the bride had booked me and the groom had booked a band without telling each other so you could imagine the atmosphere at the start (what a great way to start married life together) not to mention the expensive night for entertainment.

[rob1963]

I know what that must have been like, as I've had the same thing happen to me.

I was doing a gig in a marquee a few years back, and set up my gear in the morning. I was told that they also had a Bee Gees tribute act booked.

When I returned in the evening, I caught the end of the tribute act...but they were on the stage & had actually moved all my gear off the stage.

I don't even like people touching my gear...let alone moving it, so I was completely livid!

For me, that's the worst thing about early set ups...you never know what to expect when you return. I've often found faders & eq settings moved as well.

Fortunately, very few of my gigs involve a morning set up.

[jamesh]

hmmm bit risky isn't it? Setting up your kit in the morning then leaving it unattended until the evening.

Does your insurace cover that? I know with mine unless i'm with it at the venue or its securly locked away at the venue i'm not covered should anything go walkies...

I only do "charged" early set-ups these days where if the bride and groom want it set-up before everyone arrives they pay for my time to be on site - which is usually a minimum of £65+ depending on the hours and once it's set-up i'm at the venue for the day then - whether thats in the function room or out in the van or somewhere in between - eitherway NO ONE moves my stuff without my say so...

[Penfold42]

Interesting.......so go for the early set and walk away or.....set up while they are sitting down.......

Don't look very good setting up while they are sat down....

[jamesh]

but it's their choice. I'm more than happy to do an early set-up - im more than happy to give the event my full day - im more than happy to work for 24 hours none stop on their function if they really want (as i did for a function on the 8th sept) but why should i do it for free?

It's totally their choice as to when i setup BUT if it is an early setup they will be charged as it's more of my time "onsite"

[Dillmiester]

I arrived at 5pm for one wedding to set up early on a stage in a marque. Once the kit was up and running I went for some dinner nearby. I knew that a band would be turning up later. Fortunetly I got back just before the band and they were not happy as I had set up in prime position on the stage.
The stage was not big enough for both but I stood my ground and they sort of set up around me. Early bird and all that!

[Penfold42]

Sorry James didn't word that the best way.
I understand what you offer and why.....i was asking a question.
I have a gig next week and can do the early set up but as you and other's have mention about people moving gear.....i had not thought of that.:)

[jamesh]

ha ha no problem - i probably read it wrong too... still not fully wound down from tonghts gig - my bodys tired but my brain doesn't want to sleep!

Yeah it's a tricky one. 9 times out of 10 your gear will probably be ok... Maybe with the odd button pressed or eq changed but nothing drastic but the way i look at it is if anything did go horribly wrong while someone else was moving or playing with you kit while you wern't there who would get the blame for it not working or for you not being able to do the disco on the night.... Most likely you even though everything was fine when you left it...

Plus as i say it could be a sticky point with insurance if you leave the venue with you kit set-up in as the room wouldn't be secure as people would be in and out setting up for the wedding too..

[Penfold42]

Thanks james.....food for thought there......:)

*quickly starts to look at DJ Gaurd policy......*

[soundmaster mobile disco]

What exactly does dj guard say in there policy about this situation then?

[DJ Frankie]

I arrived at 5pm for one wedding to set up early on a stage in a marque. Once the kit was up and running I went for some dinner nearby. I knew that a band would be turning up later. Fortunetly I got back just before the band and they were not happy as I had set up in prime position on the stage.
The stage was not big enough for both but I stood my ground and they sort of set up around me. Early bird and all that!

I dont uderstand the attitudes of some DJ's on here, why do you feel the need to have prime spot when working alongside a band????
9 times out of 10 when playing alongside a band you dont need to be seen as your job is normally filling in around them!!! where as a band needs to be seen as most of there performance is visual. It does annoy me when the above statement is made, no wonder we get a bad name in the industry....:mad:


Just my opinion!!!!

[Vectis]

I will leave gear unattended on-site IF the venue can produce an insurance policy that I'm satisfied with, otherwise I'm with jamesh - stay onsite - usually in the bar with a good book ;)

One of the advantages of having a teenage son roadie for you is he's happy to sit on site for a few quid an hour.

On the odd occasion where gear is left, everything is set up and tested then all the audio stuff is locked back into my 16U wheeled flightcase (I modified it so all the in/outputs are relayed to sockets on the side of "the truck").

Computers, hard drives and DMX desk leave site with me. Then it's just a case of walk in, plug in, go.

Only once had someone move any of my gear and that was when we'd delivered it early to a marquee adjacent to the function room. We'd be setting up later in a one-hour slot between meal and evening reception so it would be real close by. Anyway when we got there later it had been moved to the opposite side of the marquee - because where we'd originally stacked it, it had started to flood :eek: So I didn't go off on one for obvious reasons :D

[Vectis]

I dont uderstand the attitudes of some DJ's on here, why do you feel the need to have prime spot when working alongside a band????

Well put. I agree 100%. If I'm booked with a band, I'll always call them and discuss arrangements so there's no misunderstandings on the night.

[rob1963]

I've learned my lesson.

These days, when I have a morning set up, I usually hang around.

My early set up fee is only £30, but this was designed to cover my time & diesel for early set ups...not my time when hanging around until the start time.

However, I don't mind hanging around without charging more, as it's peace of mind.

On the rare occasions when I DO leave my gear (which hasn't happened for a year or two), the console lid goes on to protect my mixer from unwanted hands & it goes without saying that the CDs come home with me!

[Corabar Steve]

Sorry James didn't word that the best way.
I understand what you offer and why.....i was asking a question.
I have a gig next week and can do the early set up but as you and other's have mention about people moving gear.....i had not thought of that.:)
I was going to say something along the lines of...

I dont uderstand the attitudes of some DJ's on here, why do you feel the need to have prime spot when working alongside a band????
9 times out of 10 when playing alongside a band you dont need to be seen as your job is normally filling in around them!!! where as a band needs to be seen as most of there performance is visual. It does annoy me when the above statement is made, no wonder we get a bad name in the industry....:mad:


Just my opinion!!!!But a little less politely (Thanks for saving my bacon Frankie) I have to say I can't understand this selfish attitude. Yes I know a lot of bands can be selfish too but..............


If I'm booked with a band, I'll always call them and discuss arrangements so there's no misunderstandings on the night. So do we & there has never been any problems.

If any of our kit is set up there is usually a sign left taped to it that says something along the lines of (I can't remember the exact wording) ......

"This equipment is only to be touched / used / moved by a member of Corabar Entertainment staff. Any breach of this may result in cancellation of performance & forfeiture of any payment made"

Seems to do the trick.

[CRAZY K]

Interesting.......so go for the early set and walk away or.....set up while they are sitting down.......

Don't look very good setting up while they are sat down....

The reality is you cant always get the perfect situation.

I cant do early set ups cos most of my gigs are long distance.

Unless you do a Hotel "turnaround" it can be difficult---especially Marquees where they dont have another "room" for the guests to go to normally during set up.

Must say having done a wide variety of set ups through the year ranging from Marquees to Hotels, and Town Halls it hasnt been an issue.

CRAZY K

[Dillmiester]

I dont uderstand the attitudes of some DJ's on here, why do you feel the need to have prime spot when working alongside a band????
9 times out of 10 when playing alongside a band you dont need to be seen as your job is normally filling in around them!!! where as a band needs to be seen as most of there performance is visual. It does annoy me when the above statement is made, no wonder we get a bad name in the industry....:mad:


Just my opinion!!!!

Ok it sounded bad but the situation was that there simply was not enough room for a disco and band on the stage! I was booked through my agent who tells everyone like the band the strings and myself when to arrive etc.
I arrived on time to discover the stage was not big enough! The band was arranged to arrive at the same time, they were 2 hours late and forgot their cymbals! If I had of waited for them I would have disturbed the wedding dinner and speaches etc. There was not enough room for a side by side arangement so I set up as far back as possible and to one side leaving as much room as I could for the band (which was still not enough).
I dont give DJ's a bad name and im always willing to compromise.

Can I come out of the naughty cupboard now?