Question:  should a band travel a great distance, spend a crapload of money to play for 40 minutes and be treated like **** for exposure?
 
It sounds as if the loading/parking situation is going to be a big PITA. I'm pretty pissed.
 
I talked to the venue and they were VERY unhelpful - saying they didn't have any storage space for equipment and "didn't know" about parking and loading in - and this was THE OWNER. He was saying we'd have to park a block away and bring our stuff down the street.


I'm about ---> | <--- close to calling it if somebody can't get us answers. NO WAY are we hoofing our **** a block down a busy street. Sorry.


I'd like to get everyone's insights on this - this could potentially BLACKLIST us with the smaller festival running our showcase, but I ain't spending $500 to get into a nightmare.

 


 



 

I've never played a gig where the loading/parking/unloading situation wasn't a PITA.

jamesg1213
I've never played a gig where the loading/parking/unloading situation wasn't a PITA.

Seriously?  Where do you live NYC?


 

Who told you it was for "exposure"?
 
(I can see that new agent you mentioned sliding you performance coins in his pocket.)

OK, Spacey, why else do it then, if not for exposure.  Bands like us certainly don't get paid.

We're having serious doubts.  Spending all that money.

This is actually the deal now (from the Festival - JUST getting this info TODAY):

++++++++++


There’s no way for us to get you next to the venue to load in and/or park, which is why we provide some really good backline at each of our stages. The streets are closed by the city and every band that’s playing 6th St. in Austin has to deal with the exact same issues next week. Not sure if you’ve ever been to town during SXSW week, but it’s a madhouse. There are over 2100 bands in town for the week. There are 14 bands playing on the stage you are playing on that day, so if everyone loaded in at once can you imagine what a nightmare it would be with 14 bands having gear in the venue… we wouldn’t have anywhere for the fans to stand.
Parking is very difficult this week in Austin. It is very likely that you may have to park up to four or five blocks away from the venue. Get downtown early so that you can find parking. Unfortunately, you will not be able to pull up to the venue to load anything in or out because the streets are closed for two blocks in either direction. This is why we provide first rate backline… 2 guitar amps, a bass amp & head, and drum kit (minus cymbals, snare and kick pedal).
You absolutely MUST use our drum kit and bass rig. We would prefer that you use our guitar amps and heads as well, but if you absolutely must use your own amp your set time could be shortened if it takes too long to setup and tear down. Our provided backline must also stay on stage.
We do not provide any keyboards, keyboard stands, or DJ gear.
All stages will be provided with a black DDrum Reflex Kit. Your drummer will need to bring his or her own cymbals, snare, and kick pedal.






 +++++++++

QUESTION:  Would YOU do it, and if so.  Why?
 

Me, I'd pass that one up.  Luckily, I played back in the days where bands got paid to perform.
 
I tell people that I don't "play."  I perform.  And if I'm schlepping gear in and out of a building you better believe someone is going to pay or I'll sit at home and relax.

spindlebox

jamesg1213
I've never played a gig where the loading/parking/unloading situation wasn't a PITA.

Seriously?  Where do you live NYC?


 

<<<<<< Scotland.
 
My gigging days were in England. I have no memories of rolling into a venue and saying 'well, that was surprisngly easy'. I imagine that's why bands have roadies.

spindlebox
OK, Spacey, why else do it then, if not for exposure.

Money.
 
The only time I didn't make money is when we played fund raisers/benefits. In thirty years I
can count them on fingers.
And fortunately a bass player that I spent those years gigging with is still alive and well...and I'm certain
he'd tell you the same thing.
 
No. I wouldn't do it. I know for a fact that word of mouth is all a good band needs. YMMV.
Just because things worked the way they did for us is no assurance for you...but you asked.
 
 
 
 
 
The part, "bands like us don't get paid" just sunk in....what in the world does that mean? I've never heard
of something like that.

any time to organise extra gigs on the way to or from sxsw?

spacey

spindlebox
 
 
The part, "bands like us don't get paid" just sunk in....what in the world does that mean? I've never heard
of something like that.

What "bands like us" means, is the smaller bands playing at THIS particular festival.  We get paid for regular gigs, pretty well actually.  But the whole thing about SXSW is EXPOSURE EXPOSURE EXPOSURE.  That's the only reason bands do it.  That's why I'm considering cancelling this particular gig.  We'd be 1 out of 2100 bands and 1 of 14 in that particular venue.  What kind of exposure could we possibly get?