The 10 Commandments for Live Music in Clubs: Musicians
May 13th, 2008 by jeff
I started thinking about the complexities of playing music in local clubs and re-read my post on things said to musicians at gigs. I realized there are things that should be law when it comes to gigs and not just for musicians but for bar employees and music fans as well.
I’ll start with the musicians and get to the others in a couple future posts.
1. Thou shalt be thankful.
We are really lucky to be able to do what we do…in ANY capacity. Only a tiny percentage of people on this planet are able to perform their own music in front of people for money. As a result, we must be thankful for what we have. That means thank the booker, the club employees, the patrons and the other musicians as often as possible and remember how lucky you are the next time you are pissed only 10 people showed up. That’s 10 more than most people will ever see in front of them at a live performance in their lifetime.
2. Thou shalt be kind to your fellow musicians.
When you are performing with another band, you’re all in the same boat. You may have differing degrees of skill and/or popularity, but you all come from the same place of creativity. So, talk with them. Clap when they perform. Pimp them during your show. They might actually do the same.
3. Thou shalt encourage patrons to see more live music.
In addition to thanking people for showing up on this night, it is your responsibility to encourage folks to go to more shows and support live, local, original music. If you don’t care as a musician, why should anyone else?
4. Thou shalt not be a prima donna.
We all have bad nights. We all need just the right mix in our monitors. We don’t always get the most responsive audiences. But, that doesn’t make it ok to act like a 5-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. This is supposed to be entertaining both for you and for the people watching. When you get famous and sell a million records, you can ask for a tour rider with only green M&M’s and a dressing room with vintage furniture. Until then, take what you can get and shut the hell up.
5. Honor the sound guy.
Few people are as misunderstood as the live sound engineer at a club. These guys have a really, REALLY tough job. How would you like to have to deal with annoying, bad musicians every night of your life for little money and even less appreciation? Me either. Be polite and respectful. These guys can actually help you get gigs later.
6. Thou shalt tip your bar staff.
Think the sound guy has it tough? Try dealing with drunks all the time, particularly drunks in live music venues where the tips aren’t quite what you might get at a swanky downtown nightclub filled with douchebags loaded with disposable income. Even if you don’t have any money, encourage others to tip them and do what you can to make their jobs easier. Like the sound guy, they will make your life a lot easier.
7. Thou shalt not put more than a few people on your guest list.
This is particularly true when you are on a bill with multiple bands. If you put 20 people on your guest list for a venue that only holds 100, there’s a good chance no one will make any money and, worst of all, those people getting in free won’t place as much value on the show as they would if they paid - in other words, they’ll probably bail out early.
8. Thou shalt not be a hogger of space.
There is NOTHING more annoying than a band that won’t strike their drums even if they have like a 4-piece kit that takes all of 5 minutes to set up. Share gear or move your stuff. Same goes for the space where you store gear before and after shows. Don’t take up tons of space. We all gotta fit our gear in there somewhere. Just because you CAN take up more room than you need doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
9. Thou shalt get on and off stage quickly.
Don’t screw around talking with people and wrapping up cables perfectly. Just move it and take care of it later. This is especially important when the club crams 5 or more bands on the same bill. The more efficient you are, the better for everyone.
10. Thou shalt have fun.
If you don’t who the hell will? Seriously.
