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Post by shyamwestwind on Oct 2, 2007 19:19:36 GMT
Hi I wonder how many of you have had to stop playing and run for shelter with their instrunents and sound systems. Its been happening too regularly for the last month over here and we've been in really messy situations. The power supply has to be shut ioff, the plugs removed the keyboards and speakers covered, and in most venues, move the entire set up and play in some corner of a verandah, wet and miserable. The worst is when the host says he needs us at the open air venue as the rains have gone by. Do they think we are a band in a transistor radio to carry around wherever and whenever they please and to be switched on or off or have the volume sliders down whenever they want to control our volumes  I cant understand who educated these arrogant nincompoops. It would be interesting to hear similar experiences |
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Post by rogerb on Oct 3, 2007 6:35:35 GMT
Hi Shyam,
Sorry to hear you've been getting soaked lately. Here in Cyprus we can almost guarantee fine weather from around mid May through to mid October. Of course there can be exceptions and I carry a huge sheet of polythene to cover up the keyboard and amp if the gig's outside. Some venues are only open during the Summer, having no inside area at all. The lack of tourists during the Winter usually means that the venues that do have a big enough inside to put on live music don't want or can't afford entertainment. That's when I head for the U.K. - where I can get wet through in the good old British weather.
On the subject of volumes, yes some hosts/bookers do sometimes ask for volumes to be lower than we would prefer. I think it's all down to common sense if people are in a restaurant setting I'll keep the levels down whilst people are eating and wanting to chat over their meal but later, as hopefully people want to get up and dance, the levels can go up a bit. I try to "educate" the booker that this usually works well and keeps most people happy. I always try to remember that "he who pays the piper calls the tune."
Keep the pak-a-mac handy mate.
Very best regards,
Roger
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Post by rossi on Oct 3, 2007 9:59:29 GMT
Hi Shyam,
Ironic that you should bring up this topic. Monday nights gig was called off because of rain.
Here in the Canaries we've not really seen any of that wet stuff for about six or seven months.
I haven't had a night off for so long that it was welcome to see it...but...whether you call it a night off I don't know. I'd set all the gear up, (PA system,Cd/Mini player/ rack of amps etc ) and sent the juice through when this rogue cloud passed by and decided that it would empty it's contents immediately. No warning, just a deluge. Couldn't get the covers on quick enough and so the system went haywire. Pulled the plugs and waited for the cloud to pass onto Manchester! (Joke, I'm a Mancunian).
Cleaned up afterwards, tried to see any damage. Last night everything worked ok apart from CD player. Possibly fused.
One good point, it did get rid of all the dust that had accumulated over the months.
Anyway, the night off meant me setting the gear up, then stripping it down, cancelling our middle spot of cabaret (girl singer) and saying goodnight to the boss at about nine 0'clock. No pay of course!!!!
Went home watched a film, reflected on life and decided maybe my dad was right when he told me years ago that I should get a proper life.
That last statement is a bit of tongue in cheek. We all know that when this business gets into your blood its there for life.
And today...well, we're back to wall to wall sunshine. So why was I grumbling?
Cheers,
Rossi
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Post by mark on Nov 7, 2007 20:02:32 GMT
Hi Shyam
Over in England I often did barbecue Partys. You can guarantee rain if someone mentions a barbi. So i invested in a miniture gazebo . It not only shades you from the sun if it doesn't rain but keeps you and the gear dry if it does.
Regards
Mark ( I know its more to carry but its invaluable)
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Post by mark on Nov 7, 2007 20:05:38 GMT
Shyam
Forgot to mention I saw a group In Whistler, Canada use one as well.
They are lightweight aluminium frames with a pullover tarpaulin.Probably get one in either a camping or gardening shop or even on ebay
All the best
Mark
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Post by moonie on Nov 8, 2007 12:16:38 GMT
Hi shyam, I feel what you're saying! In the past year or so I seemed to have moved from midi duo's and trio's to more band and PA hire work and in Australia we love the outdoors but it can rain at anytime of the year, even New years eve in the middle of our summer. I had my new PA set up trackside at a greyhound meet [no cover because it would block the view of the track!] crowd of 5000+ people. We knew there were rain clouds about as there were no stars in the sky...So all night it would drizzle a bit and stop...the wind would pick up...then die off...what stress...had about ten small tarps on hand to spot cover amps or anything electrical and spent a night a few days prior "scotchgaurding" the speaker cones on the FOH and FB.
As for the volume issue, it's everywhere isn't it! I don't have to play loud to enjoy music but there's that point where the speakers just sound like cardboard no matter how much fx and eq you throw at it. I always say when you find a good gig, keep it!
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Post by Tubbs on Nov 8, 2007 16:05:20 GMT
No problems like that here in sunny Ireland!! ;D ;D
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Post by JohnG on Nov 8, 2007 16:17:15 GMT
Nice one tubbs!
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Post by shyamwestwind on Nov 8, 2007 18:01:31 GMT
Mark, thats a real practical solution and I will keep a few in a case or emergencies. I'm sure it'll help when its just a passing shower or drizzle.
Thanks for the idea.
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Post by weegeo on Nov 8, 2007 18:56:59 GMT
Rain whats rain lol lol lol |
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