Members doubleR Posted November 28, 2005 Members Share Posted November 28, 2005 Our band was offered three gigs next month at a pretty nice upscale restaurant/bar in a great area. The dates are December 17/23/30, and it pays $350 a night. I was all fired up about the gigs until I marked them on my calendar, and noticed the 23rd is the day before Christmas Eve, and the 30th is the day before New Year's Eve. On the day before Christmas Eve everyone is rushing around with last-minute gift shopping, wrapping presents, or making plans to travel to visit relatives. The day before New Year's Eve...well, if you're partying on New Year's Eve, you're not going to stay out late the night before. I live the closest to the club, and it's a good 45 minutes for me. It will take our drummer and lead guitarist over an hour to get there. I hate turning downa gig, but the thought of driving over an hour to play to an empty club doesn't thrill me, either. I was thinking of suggesting to my bandmates that we take the gig on the 17th, and decline the others respectfully (we could tell the club booker that a couple of the bandmembers are going out of town for the holidays) Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wheresgrant3 Posted November 28, 2005 Members Share Posted November 28, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR Our band was offered three gigs next month at a pretty nice upscale restaurant/bar in a great area. The dates are December 17/23/30, and it pays $350 a night.I was all fired up about the gigs until I marked them on my calendar, and noticed the 23rd is the day before Christmas Eve, and the 30th is the day before New Year's Eve. On the day before Christmas Eve everyone is rushing around with last-minute gift shopping, wrapping presents, or making plans to travel to visit relatives. The day before New Year's Eve...well, if you're partying on New Year's Eve, you're not going to stay out late the night before. I live the closest to the club, and it's a good 45 minutes for me. It will take our drummer and lead guitarist over an hour to get there. I hate turning downa gig, but the thought of driving over an hour to play to an empty club doesn't thrill me, either. I was thinking of suggesting to my bandmates that we take the gig on the 17th, and decline the others respectfully (we could tell the club booker that a couple of the bandmembers are going out of town for the holidays)Suggestions? Sounds like a good call, although I wouldn't worry too much about the 30th... it falls on a Friday night so I imagine people will be out and about regardless. If you are getting three first time bookings within a month I would guess it's because the regular rotation acts have declined those dates. Keep that in mind when deciding if it will lead to future bookings in 06 or whether you are just filling in the gaps during the busy holiday season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 28, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 28, 2005 Originally posted by wheresgrant3 If you are getting three first time bookings within a month I would guess it's because the regular rotation acts have declined those dates. Keep that in mind when deciding if it will lead to future bookings in 06 or whether you are just filling in the gaps during the busy holiday season. Our bass player was in the club a few weeks ago and met the girl who does the booking. He sent her a demo CD and she offered us the gigs, so I think you're right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cortfan Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Take all 3 gigs. Consider it a paid practice if only a few people show up. Give it your best shot, and it may get you into the regular rotation for '06. Just my 2 cents worth. We have done that before with good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SeeU 22 Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 I don't know about where you are, but up here the 23 is one of the busiest nights of the year. Everyone is home for Christmas, but it's not officially christmas yet so no one has family commitments, etc. The local watering holes pack to the rafters. I'd say take it. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 29, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR Our band was offered three gigs next month at a pretty nice upscale restaurant/bar in a great area. The dates are December 17/23/30, and it pays $350 a night. I was all fired up about the gigs until I marked them on my calendar, and noticed the 23rd is the day before Christmas Eve, and the 30th is the day before New Year's Eve. On the day before Christmas Eve everyone is rushing around with last-minute gift shopping, wrapping presents, or making plans to travel to visit relatives. The day before New Year's Eve...well, if you're partying on New Year's Eve, you're not going to stay out late the night before. I live the closest to the club, and it's a good 45 minutes for me. It will take our drummer and lead guitarist over an hour to get there. I hate turning downa gig, but the thought of driving over an hour to play to an empty club doesn't thrill me, either. I was thinking of suggesting to my bandmates that we take the gig on the 17th, and decline the others respectfully (we could tell the club booker that a couple of the bandmembers are going out of town for the holidays) Suggestions? If you don't want them, let me know...maybe we can cover for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 29, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 I talked to all four of my bandmates--we're going for all three nights. Thanks to everyone for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 29, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR I talked to all four of my bandmates--we're going for all three nights. Thanks to everyone for the advice. ...where in L.A. are you playing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 29, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by daddymack ...where in L.A. are you playing? Laguna Beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 29, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR Laguna Beach. last time I looked...that was behind the Orange Curtain... We do some stuff there in the summer...the Sawdust Festival...where will you be playing in Laguna? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 29, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by daddymack last time I looked...that was behind the Orange Curtain... We do some stuff there in the summer...the Sawdust Festival...where will you be playing in Laguna? I live in Long Beach, so it's not too bad for me--I'll take the toll road. We're playing at Hennesey's, right in the heart of the downtown area. There's always a lot going on there--hopefully we'll have a decent crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members THBv2.0 Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR I live in Long Beach, so it's not too bad for me--I'll take the toll road. We're playing at Hennesey's, right in the heart of the downtown area. There's always a lot going on there--hopefully we'll have a decent crowd. Hennessy's on the 17th? I've got that night off and Laguna Beach is a damn sight closer than Lancaster. Maybe I'll drop in. I've been drunk in that bar before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcpro Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Fri the 30th could be a big night for all of us. I've seen it before when the night before New Years' Eve falls on a weekend. Regulars...some which will skip New Years' Eve because of private parties, high cover, crowds...any of that... will show up, and the entire week between Christmas and the end of the year is usually busy. People are just out more. The nights just before Christmas can be slow though, although I've played some busy nights on the 25th actually, when only a few places are open. Been playing in bars for over 35 years, and have seen it all. I've got a job on the 30th, but not in the same bar as on the 31st. I'm not working Christmas weekend this year. It would be interesting to bump this thread after the 1st to see how everyone did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 29, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by THBv2.0 Hennessy's on the 17th? I've got that night off and Laguna Beach is a damn sight closer than Lancaster. Maybe I'll drop in. I've been drunk in that bar before. Cool! I'll make sure we hide our music stands! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 29, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by THBv2.0 I've been drunk in that bar before. the real question, amigo, is if there is a bar in Socal you have been sober in for more than 15 minutes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 A saturday and two fridays. You're overthinking this. Take the gigs. Thoses are great nights and everyone will be in a festive mood, ie: the liquor will be flowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members doubleR Posted November 29, 2005 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by Burgess A saturday and two fridays. You're overthinking this. Take the gigs. Thoses are great nights and everyone will be in a festive mood, ie: the liquor will be flowing. I know...I always do that. I'll lie in bed, wide awake at 2 in the morning worrying about stupid stuff like that. Anyway, we're going to confirm the dates with the club this evening when the booking girl gets in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members THBv2.0 Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by doubleR Cool! I'll make sure we hide our music stands! Christ, how will I know it's you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members THBv2.0 Posted November 29, 2005 Members Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by daddymack the real question, amigo, is if there is a bar in Socal you have been sober in for more than 15 minutes... Of course! There's that one place up by...... Okay, what about the joint......... Actually, maybe could be sort of somewhat probably in a roundabout sort of way kind of......no. :wave:s for cab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted November 29, 2005 Moderators Share Posted November 29, 2005 Originally posted by THBv2.0 Of course! There's that one place up by...... Okay, what about the joint......... Actually, maybe could be sort of somewhat probably in a roundabout sort of way kind of......no. :wave:s for cab but we'll always have Lancaster... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fastplant Posted November 30, 2005 Members Share Posted November 30, 2005 Sounds like they booked you on those nights so that they can check out what you can offer to the club without a lot of risk. Just double your promo efforts and try to pack the place as well as possible, because it could turn into a good gig later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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