What to do about the headline slot on showcase nights: the debate continues.

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Permalink Reply by graham lightfoot on December 30, 2009 at 11:43am

1) Early soundchecks may be near impossible for bands with day jobs
2) No soundcheck would cause more problems than it solves
3)This is upside-down, a headline band usually sets up and sound-checks first
4) Best idea so far, never been a fan of trying to put on as much as possible in one evening both as a punter and a muso, but of course this is just my personal view. On a practical level you have the same problem at both ends of the night. starting at 7.00 or 7.30 as mentioned in 2) would be difficult for a mature audience with child-care and employment considerations.
5) Depends who they are, ie are they well known nationaly or even locally (to the venue), will they be acceptable to mature punters although they may bring their own audience. If not you've defeated the original object of RTYD
6) Might work. DJ is fairly obvious. Comedian (Bill Bailey type?) would handy between bands. Run small guitar/drum clinic prior to bands (Many of the audience are probably musos) Mix duos, solos with bands (maybe acoustic?)Juke-box Jury? Crikey! Some may not be as old as you and me mate!!! Besides it would probably be a faff.
7) Get one band to host/headline with their PA/lights etc with invited bands/artistes they are aquainted with at a less prestigous venue.
Conclusion.........Quality over quantity, more options on type of artiste, 2 bands max done and dusted, soundchecked, fed, watered, all relaxed and smiley and playing longer sets giving them a better representation of their undoubted quality

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Permalink Reply by Barry Simmons on December 31, 2009 at 2:34pm

Personally, I think option 2 is good. Soundcheck first band only and have a 7.30 start. I reckon most bands have a natural feeling for their sound levels and only need a bit of tweeking in the first number.
Alternatively provide bunk beds and sleeping bags for fans of the last band. Bit like the blitz.
During the war........................

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Permalink Reply by Paul Rodger on December 31, 2009 at 4:19pm

Hi Toby

Re. your point 2: As you know, we're fairly keen on not spending all night hanging around waiting for sound checks; if the basic set-up works for the room, we'll live with that. Having said that, we also favour fewer acts as I'm getting less and less keen on schlepping across town for a measly half-hour set which we're not getting paid for. Let's do some two-banders and see what happens.

BTW, and perhaps more important, have you heard about the Halfmoon in Putney closing at the end of Feb? What can we do to help?

Have a brill new year everyone.

XX P

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