House party on the 15th dec....any tips

[cara]

got a booking today for a house party (sound's like a nice semi) on the 15th dec and was just wondering if anyone else has done something like this before, i guess a lot of you probably have but i haven't

i asked the girl about the neighbours & the noise and she said most of them are coming to the party so it will be fine

so is there anything i need to be aware of or should watch out for, or shall i just treat it a i would a normal gig?

thanks folks:beer1:

[funkymike]

Find out what time you finish, house parties always go on longer than the normal village hall or pub and as your on there manor so to speak its pretty hard to just pack up and go.

I do lots of parties but refuse point blank to do anymore house parties because of that reason, it can turn ugly, due to toooo much drink.

mike

[Tom]

i have never done a home disco but i would say you wount need loads of lights and make sure that the guests are not to close to your gear.

[Dragonfly]

i would just be aware that there is nearly always a free bar ...... so the only licence is one to be a total prat , no venue staff to back you up when the drunks kick off because you dont have the song they want, no kicking out time so you could be there until 4am.

most of the neighbours are going ..... except the ones who work all week and just want a quiet night in without such nuisance as thumping disco music from the neighbours ....oh....

possibility of 500 gatecrashers because the whole thing has been advertised on youtube , facebook and myspace ....

erm if i think of anything else to be mindful of ill let you know. :D :D :D :D :beer1: :beer1:

[Tom]

you might want to take some backup, as in friends who help carry the gear so if anything does kick off then you should be ok as i think PLI dont cover house partys.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

you might want to take some backup, as in friends who help carry the gear so if anything does kick off then you should be ok as i think PLI dont cover house partys.

Sorry, but taking friends as back up? And PLI that doesn't cover house parties?

Please check info and think what you are posting before you do.

[Penfold42]

i would just be aware that there is nearly always a free bar ...... so the only licence is one to be a total prat , no venue staff to back you up when the drunks kick off because you dont have the song they want, no kicking out time so you could be there until 4am.

You old man......:D :D :D

LOL....agree here and these are the ones to watch.
Did one a few weeks back....got to say it was fantastic.
You maybe playing back ground music for a while as people tend to hover in kitchen's.......getting quite drunk but then come out when they are more merry.........

I took 7 lights and 4 speakers.....:eek: :eek: but the house was rather large, slept 24 people........:D :D :D :D

Just watch everything and keep an eye on you equipment......:)
But you should have a good time......enjoy.

[Corabar Entertainment]

God! All I can say is that you lot must have had some bad experiences!

Cara, what is the party? Christmas party for family & friends? Some other occasion?

I might be a bit wary of talking a booking for a teenager in the house (especially if it was the teenager booking!) but, on the whole, they are fine - although you can be 'encouraged' to carry on later than the time booked. Make it clear up front (ie at the time of the booking) that you fee is only up until the time specified. Then, if on the night you decide you are happy to carry on later (if they want you to) you can charge for your additional time.

Other thing I would check is to make sure you have enough room (WxDxH) and check what access is like (ie how close can you get your vehicle, and whether it's easy to get to where you are setting up.

[robbiedj]

Other thing I would check is to make sure you have enough room (WxDxH) .

Especially the height. Newer houses in particular can have low ceilings. That means your lights are low, mind your (and others) head. And, putting them up, watch out for the plaster.

[Tom]

Sorry, but taking friends as back up? And PLI that doesn't cover house parties?

Please check info and think what you are posting before you do.

tbh i assumed that PLI dont cover this. Im sure i have read this on this forum before.



I might be a bit wary of talking a booking for a teenager in the house (especially if it was the teenager booking!) but, on the whole, they are fine - although you can be 'encouraged' to carry on later than the time booked.

If it was me i wouldnt mind playing longer just to save my equipment being trashed but then again, thats what the T&C are for.

[colint]

Find out what time you finish, house parties always go on longer than the normal village hall or pub and as your on there manor so to speak its pretty hard to just pack up and go.

I do lots of parties but refuse point blank to do anymore house parties because of that reason, it can turn ugly, due to toooo much drink.
mike

Ditto! I did one in a very large house not too far from me, it was total mayhem and totally un-controllable and about 1am the police raided it and impounded my gear for 2 days as it turned out the house was for sale and the people that booked me had broken in!!!!!

so I don't do anything like this ever! be careful!

[Corabar Entertainment]

tbh i assumed that PLI dont cover this.Don't ever 'assume' things - and certainly don't advise others based upon your assumptions! :eek:
If it was me i wouldnt mind playing longer just to save my equipment being trashed but then again, thats what the T&C are for.Why do you assume that if you don't play on longer, they would trash your equipment? :confused: :confused: :confused: If they want you to play on, it's because they are enjoying themselves and have had a good night. House parties, by their very nature, are more intimate affairs usually, and you can usually build up a very good rapport with all of the guests. I'm not saying they are all perfect, you get good and bad just as you do at any gig, but I can't believe that people's experiences of them are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad as is being suggested in this thread: you need to judge each house party on it's merits - just as you do for any other gig.

[Tom]

Don't ever 'assume' things - and certainly don't advise others based upon your assumptions! :eek: Why do you assume that if you don't play on longer, they would trash your equipment? :confused: :confused: :confused: If they want you to play on, it's because they are enjoying themselves and have had a good night. House parties, by their very nature, are more intimate affairs usually, and you can usually build up a very good rapport with all of the guests. I'm not saying they are all perfect, you get good and bad just as you do at any gig, but I can't believe that people's experiences of them are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad as is being suggested in this thread: you need to judge each house party on it's merits - just as you do for any other gig.

i understand what you are saying but i have my reasons, for which i dont want to talk about. bit to personal. I know on my website i say i do house warming but this will now be removed.

[Vectis]

Only ever had good experiences with house parties.

Yes - they always over-run; folks get plastered and then beg the life out of you for 'just another half an hour' - just make sure your Ts & Cs are watertight regarding overtime and you explain this point to the host, and you'll be well recompensed!

No - they don't need as much gear, but don't let that affect your pricing too much.

Yes - they're far more intimate - expect the unexpected! They'll keep you on your toes far more than a big gig where you're tucked away in the corner behind a wall of sound and light. Be prepared and be flexible.

If you're in a built-up area be ready to drop the bass and/or overall volume after 11. Bass travels furthest. Less noise travel = less chance of complaints.

Above all, enjoy! Be flexible and do a good job for them and you'll be well rewarded with repeat bookings.

[Dragonfly]

Only ever had good experiences with house parties.

Yes - they always over-run; folks get plastered and then beg the life out of you for 'just another half an hour' - just make sure your Ts & Cs are watertight regarding overtime and you explain this point to the host, and you'll be well recompensed!

No - they don't need as much gear, but don't let that affect your pricing too much.

Yes - they're far more intimate - expect the unexpected! They'll keep you on your toes far more than a big gig where you're tucked away in the corner behind a wall of sound and light. Be prepared and be flexible.

If you're in a built-up area be ready to drop the bass and/or overall volume after 11. Bass travels furthest. Less noise travel = less chance of complaints.

Above all, enjoy! Be flexible and do a good job for them and you'll be well rewarded with repeat bookings.

Sadly on the other side I have done only 4 house partys all unpleasent experiences ....

one a student house party where most of the birthday persons posessions were either taken into the street "for a laugh" or went missing altogether

one a family party where the police were called twice by the neighbours

one a fancy dress where i was told "play on or you and your gear will be trashed" by a six foot bearded woman in stockings and high heels.

the other i went to my car outside when i finished and found every single panal kicked in ... windows roof bonnet doors wing mirrors etc. and had a nice go faster stripe keyed all the was round .... and of course no one saw anything , i was told 2 years later who "may" have done it.

so my opinion of house partys are based on very bad experiences. however im sure some people have no doubt had great ones where a fantastic time was had by all. I just feel that when dealing with them more caution should be taken when finding out the exact details of what is going on.


oh and i also forgot the infamous gazebo wedding also technically a house party.

although I have done several marquee weddings and enjoyed them all immensely.

[MickyP]

When the time is right..... and if you have a good crowd in,
try and slip Fred Wesley's "House Party" into the mix.

A real classic, funky tune, that I'm sure will go down a storm.

All the best.
Micky P

[cara]

thanks for the tips everyone, it's going to be a wedding party, so hopefuly there'll be no running feud's with in-laws or anything

[sxboy]

Funny talkiing about this, I have a house party tomorrow, well it's in a "party tent",AND it's an 18th! wish me luck!

[Penfold42]

Funny talkiing about this, I have a house party tomorrow, well it's in a "party tent",AND it's an 18th! wish me luck!

Good luck.:)

[sxboy]

That was quick! thanks

[Penfold42]

That was quick! thanks

You will enjoy it......have fun....and no problem.:D

[Corabar Steve]

Just wrap up warm & make sure the tent is well fastened down. :sj:

I've seen party tents take off in bad weather.

[cara]

are you sure you wasn't watching the wizzard of oz? '0)

[Penfold42]

I've seen party tents take off in bad weather.

None of your gig's i trust......:rolleyes:

[Corabar Steve]

Bike rally on the Isle of Sheppy.

I believe it made the local papers, so sxboy may have heard of it.

[Vectis]

I've seen party tents take off in bad weather.

Bugger! I KNEW I'd overspecified those bass bins...!! :D