Paradigm Shift In Gigging For Old Rockers

[diablo175]

Been reading a lot of accounts re: the changing landscape in live music/cover bands in the last year or 2. As my band is a part of that broader category, I stumbled on an interesting approach in adapting to it.

The gripe I read/hear a lot is that opportunities to play out are drying up. Not going to debate this but I agree that around my parts, there are fewer venues still booking live music. It needs pointing out that our band doesn't need to play music as a revenue generator. After coming together 4 years ago, we've only had one paying gig. That's not saying we haven't played out. A quick visit to the band's FB page will confirm that. Like most bands, that's our objective, secondary to playing for audiences, period. But we've had several hard stop setbacks that called for significant resets. Personnel changes, major medical issues, etc. In short, couldn't gig. Each time we got our shit back up to speed, we'd pound the pavement and call up venues trying to get gigs. Bupkis. Nada. Zilch. Venues that do book bands usually have that shit locked in by December of the previous year. Trying to get a gig, say, in March or September has pretty slim chances of success. So, to satisfy our performing jonz and to keep our stage chops up, we started doing open mics nights (OMN). Yeah, those grabass-tic crapshoots where it could either be a total shit show (shitty PA equipment, inadequate or unsuitable space, laughable backline, pathetic attendance and  etc) or a well organized, equipped and attended affair that features some serious local talent.

Here's how it works for us: show up to an OMN, gut it out playing thru their PA/backline, counting on our tightness and energy (borne of countless rehearsals) to hopefully impress the the shit out of the organizer.  If so, negotiate playing a "feature set" as the lead off or marquee segment of a future OMN. Rinse, repeat. We get a chance to play and hone our live chops, AND create opportunities for actual paying gigs. Funny thing is, as an advanced years rocker , I kinda like this set up. Playing one set, minimal set up (though admittedly, it is done in a hurry and we're at mercy of whatever passes for a board/PA) less gear to hump, I get in and out there within 1.5 hours depending on how many other acts I stay to watch/support. And arguably best of all, doing one 40-50 minute set means I remember how to play all of the songs and I've got energy galore for the entire segment. 😆  

 

[hamerhead]

One problem is aging out. When I was a 20-something, I wouldn't be caught dead listening to what my Dad was playing. As good as he was, as much fun as he had on stage, it was not for me. Granted, his music (polkas and the like) is another genre, while Rock'n Roll has the ability to span generations. My kids (30-somethings) would come out and hear us, dance and have fun.

For old guys like us (who don't really want to do the 4 or 5 hour grind every weekend night), I look for an opening slot - maybe an hour or hour and a half - where we put together our best set, get in early/get out early, and not kill ourselves. I have never - not even close - made enough on a gig to matter. If it covers my bar tab, that's a good night. So we can go and play for free, get some stage time with no pressure, and have fun. 

I went and got a used electric drum kit, a decent little bass amp, and a small PA. With all the amps here I can set up a jam in my garage where guys just have to bring guitars and plug in. The last one had a dozen or so players rotating in and out all evening, making some pretty great noise while having zero expectations or worries. It was a BLAST!

 

 

[diablo175]

15 minutes ago, hamerhead said:

One problem is aging out. When I was a 20-something, I wouldn't be caught dead listening to what my Dad was playing. As good as he was, as much fun as he had on stage, it was not for me. Granted, his music (polkas and the like) is another genre, while Rock'n Roll has the ability to span generations. My kids (30-somethings) would come out and hear us, dance and have fun.

For old guys like us (who don't really want to do the 4 or 5 hour grind every weekend night), I look for an opening slot - maybe an hour or hour and a half - where we put together our best set, get in early/get out early, and not kill ourselves. I have never - not even close - made enough on a gig to matter. If it covers my bar tab, that's a good night. So we can go and play for free, get some stage time with no pressure, and have fun. 

I went and got a used electric drum kit, a decent little bass amp, and a small PA. With all the amps here I can set up a jam in my garage where guys just have to bring guitars and plug in. The last one had a dozen or so players rotating in and out all evening, making some pretty great noise while having zero expectations or worries. It was a BLAST!

 

 

That sounds pretty damned close to what we do. I've outfitted my studio with a very solid PreSonus 16 channel board that allows us to record as well as mix our sessions. More importantly, it allows us to dial in our own individual Aux mix for IE monitoring via phone app controls, with the whole band using over-the-ear "cans" headphones. Running silent, as I call it. This gives us greater individual control of our sound and keeps my incendiary-tempered asshole neighbor away.   

Given the responses of people who have heard us, I hope to be reporting back about some paying gigs. Have on coming up in August, a 5 band bill!

[burningyen]

For better or for worse, tribute bands have taken over a big chunk of the live music bookings these days. It's a great gig if you enjoy that specific original artist. I've been lucky to fall in with Pink Floyd and Radiohead tributes that draw pretty well, and I still get a kick out of playing that music.

[diablo175]

56 minutes ago, burningyen said:

For better or for worse, tribute bands have taken over a big chunk of the live music bookings these days. It's a great gig if you enjoy that specific original artist. I've been lucky to fall in with Pink Floyd and Radiohead tributes that draw pretty well, and I still get a kick out of playing that music.

Well, I'm shit outta luck then. The only tribute I can offer is to medicore playing.