Bands

[ian . 0]

I had dealings with a band not long ago.

They were quite adamant that when they finished their final set, the house lights by the stage were put on for about half an hour so they could see their way for packing up.

The client I was working for - a good friend - wasn't happy, becasuse all the houselights at the 'stage' end right next to the dancefloor spoilt the effect of my disco lighting, and the type of atmosphere that a DJ tries to create.

Both the client and the band had a valid point.

Band - light to see to dismantle equipment.

Client - Want disco with all the trimmings, and disco lights with effect. No room lights. The client gets what they pay for.

Me - Piggy in the middle.

 

All I ended up doing was unscrewing a few light bulbs.

A couple were left untouched round by the band.

I even lent them a flourecent torch thats a foot long as extra portable light.

 

Problem solved.

The main thing with me is that the client was happy, and the band were able to pack up without being in pitch darkness.

 

So it's not just issues with space or a stage that can cause a problem.

Theres always a way round it.

 

Tomorrows bride is next years annivesary party.

Bands pass on the names of good and helpful DJ's (mostly...)

 

It's all a balancing act.

[Kingy 0]

I think it's very un-pro for the band to pack up whilst the punters are dancing and the other ARTISTE (IE THE DJ) is playing. Would it really hurt them to wait???

[spinner 0]

QUOTE (Kingy @ Sep 14 2006, 08:24 AM)

I think it's very un-pro for the band to pack up whilst the punters are dancing and the other ARTISTE (IE THE DJ) is playing.

I've experienced that with every band I've worked with.

[BigBen 0]

QUOTE (spinner @ Sep 14 2006, 08:29 AM)

I've experienced that with every band I've worked with.

Ditto.

 

And some bands even turn up when the party has started and begin setting up.

[UKHero 0]

I did a gig last sat night in grosvenor square london for child line... But I was the sound engineer for the band.... There was a stage and a DJ who had provided the backdrop (star cloth) mirror ball and par cans... He set all this up on the stage and then set his gear up at one side of the stage so the band could have the stage and benefit of his lights and back drop... He kept popping in to our chill out room to inform us of the progress of the night and was very friendly and helpfull... I am sorry cant remember his name but he was 150% pro all evening and a credit to the DJ community

 

 

Nik

[spinner 0]

QUOTE (Paul_Smith @ Sep 13 2006, 05:43 PM)

Getting on with bands doesn't only help the evening flow but can have other benefits.

Last year I did a birthday party for someone who had been in a band and his old ( professonal ) band colleagues provided the main music for the evening.

 

They were all mature ( 50ish ) and absolutely excellent. Their lead guitarist was as good as, if not better than, some of the best I've seen.

 

After I had been on for around 20 minutes the vocalist walked over and complimented me saying that it was a pleasure and a refreshing change to hear a DJ playing such good music ( I had geared it to the audience ).

 

Whilst it's always nice to receive compliments, that wasn't the first time I've had that sort of remark made to me and it does indicate that some people will assume, automatically, that mobile DJs are not very good.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

QUOTE (BigBen @ Sep 14 2006, 08:36 AM)

QUOTE (spinner @ Sep 14 2006, 08:29 AM) I've experienced that with every band I've worked with. Ditto.   And some bands even turn up when the party has started and begin setting up. Here here, am again working with a band this evening.

[djchrisyork 0]

Ok

Having Been a Singer, in a Band, and Solo, I do see both sides of the Coin...

....However, here is a story from a wedding I did earlier this year.

 

I was told the band would contact me prior to the wedding, and never did!

 

I arrived & set up early, on the stage, actually on stage left, giving the band plenty of room to set up on...

 

About halfway through my soundcheck, The 'Band' Arrived...

I told them I would not be long, and do they have a long extension lead, as the power was miles away from the stage.. NOT a SURPRISE!!!

'no'

ok well you can use mine, to sound check...

..they set up, I was tidying my part of the stage up, and they kept moving my stuff around..

I said 'look, I do need some room too here..'

'Soz mate, ok'

Anyway, they started their soundcheck...

' my vocals don't sound good'....said their singer...there was an obvious reason for it, but I refrained from telling him!

...'is my guitar loud enough'?

..'I can't hear my bass'!

I asked if they did many weddings?...no, they were a 'pub band' ...GREAT!

then, the funniest thing...the drummer shouted above everyone...

.'GUYS GUYS.....How do my drums sound????'

They are ****ing drums!!!!!

 

I was peeing myself, but tried not to show it...anyway, the all agreed they didn't sound too good, mainly due to my poor quality extensoin lead that they had borrowed!!!!

 

NO EGO then!

 

So I asked them what time they were kicking off?

' err 8.30pm'

ok I will get them going for you, and introduce you at 8.30

 

so, the night rolled on, and I looked at my watch....8.20 no sign of band....

8.25pm they all strolled in.

 

'ok guys, you are on in 5, I will make this my last record'

 

' err no, we thought we would go on a bit later!'

' ok, well I will stop playing now, and leave about half an hour silence for you then?'

'oh, sorry we didn't think....'

So, I did another 30mins, and they came on at 9pm...and they were ok....and I mean ok..Maybe me bringing them on to 'YMCA' did their heads in! I don't know..

 

Then, the singer came to me, and asked what the GROOMS NAME WAS!!!!

Unfortunatley, I did give him the correct name....I sooo wished I hadn't....anyway, he said something about the bride and groom, and got on with the next song..

They finished their 45min set...and I started to play again..

 

We had agreed that they would start at 8.30, and finish at 9.15, to come back on at 10.15....which was cool by me, as we had to be finished at 12.30...

 

So, I played 3 songs...and they came up to me and said, we are ready to go back on now!!!!!

...I have only played 3 songs, everyone is up dancing, and you want to kill it!!! CHeers!

 

So, I was allowed another 3 songs, and they cam on at 10.30pm

 

I introduced them to be told the singer had gone for a '****'!..which I relayed via the mic to the audience, who all fell about, as he came rushing through them puling his flies up!

 

......11.45pm ...and they were still playing, the same kind of songs, in the same way, with the same chords!

 

The singer announced,....and this it the best bit...

'ok, this is our last song, well, you know we say that....but...well.. I don't know if you all know, but it is kind of a thing we do, that you all cheer, and we come back on, and do another song!! ...WEll if you cheer loud enough we might do more than one!!!!!'

 

I was now hiding behind my rig, how pretenteous, and how cringeworthy...to ASK for an Encore!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't bear it....

SO!

All i decided to hear was...'ok, this is our last song'......

I cranked all 2k of rig up...set my

 

They did their 1st 45 min set, and said thanks to the bride and groom for the free beer....they only got to the ' good....' part of good night, when I hit McHammer, can't touch this! with 2K of rig!!!!!

 

how gutted was he, when the dance floor filled up, and everyone started to party!!!!

 

So the moral is, Yes I am 'just a DJ' but I have an EGO too!

 

I did want what was best for the night, and the wedding, but, you can' t always work with a band, not when they are as pretenteous, and conceited as they were....they had the wrong DJ on the night for that!

We are their for entertainment, as equally as a band, and if we are anygood, we will be remembered as much as the band.

RANT OVER!!!!

 

 

[Paul Forsyth 0]

Good thread!!!!

 

There are always two sides to this kind of thing - Back to the first post, if the set up areas were to be discussed then that's what should have happened.

 

If I had been treated like Welshy by a band I would have gloated about getting 500 notes out of them! As has been said what goes around comes around etc.

 

All that said, I have always taken the view that in most cases where I am playing with a band then I take on more of a support role, I will fit in around the band with regards to space, music, set times etc. And let's be fair most bands I have played alongside have been great to work with and really appreciate working alongside someone that will work with them.

 

While I agree that the band are a pretty central part of the event visually, more often than not, in my experience, they do pack down before the end of the night while I am playing and people are dancing, and leave, leaving a big central .......nothing , where a band once played :shrug: . My only thought is that for the last hour (or more) there is an unsightly large empty space, but hey, I'm only the DJ

 

Vinnie

[slug boy 0]

so, when you're working with a band...

 

say, you do a 30min DJ set, then they do 30mins... do you all turn your lights off so the customer doesn't get the benefit if they wanna dance to the bands music??

then back on again for your second set?

[djchrisyork 0]

so, when you're working with a band...

 

say, you do a 30min DJ set, then they do 30mins... do you all turn your lights off so the customer doesn't get the benefit if they wanna dance to the bands music??

then back on again for your second set?

 

Well, The band asked me if they could use my lights, so I said they could for £25 quid!!...I was taking the **** a bit, but I would have taken it, if they offered it....They didn't offer me a bean, but I did have in mind what was best for the Bride and Groom, so I left them on.... I also agreed with the band, that they would pack up at the end of the night, but after I had P:cense:d them off, with the great scottish rap star MacHammer, They took their toys home!!!! I really really wished I had been a bit more self centred and turned the lights off, looking back. But as I say, I go out with the attitude that I will do the best I can for the bride and groom, and didn't see what the problem was, in the beginning, leaving the lights on....Put it this way, I won't leave them on again!!!

 

[C.S 0]

Where i am concerned , band comes first no matter what, always have done. Will bend over backwards to assist them . My customer hired them so thats fine by me.

[Elite 0]

I love working with bands as I enjoy listening to live music, so it is a nice change rather than doing 4-5 hours straight DJing. I go out of my way to assist them with lighting, smoke and introductions/applause, etc.

 

It's also possible to get recommendations from them if their client needs a DJ and vice-versa.

 

We should all work together in this business!

[DJGAVT 0]

I dont mind working with bands for 2 main reasons:

 

1. Less work as they do some of the night

 

2. I put in less gear as the band take up more room which also means less work

 

I always have my lights on when the bands on as the person that booked me is paying for me and my gear to be at the venue. Just cause I am not working does not mean the gear should not be if people are dancing.

[Danno13 0]

I have an interesting one in a couple of weeks. I'm booked for an engagement party, but the lady who booked asked me to play 7pm till 10pm as after that her boyfriend and his band would be playing till 11pm.

 

So i'm charging the normal fee for a night and will just hang around for the last hour and leave the lights running.

 

I wouldn't dream of packing up and leaving whilst the band are playing even though bands seem to think this is acceptable. Also, if i stay setup there's always the chance that they'll want to pay me to play for a bit longer after the band finish.