Let's change band Hours!

Ronnyd · Post by **Ronnyd** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

Hey let's all unite and start booking gigs from 8 to 11.
Here's my thought .
Gone is the I have to get up for work so I can't come see you excuse.
2nd,we can all go to church on Sunday.
3rd maybe we can hang-out with the crowd after the show.
4th we 'll confuse the D.U.I. checkpoints,'cause we'll already be home in bed by the time they are setting up.
And last but not least-We'll still have time to visit Coconuts etc..

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

I agree if band hours are moved up that everybody will benefit for all the obvious reasons.

We also hear all the time from people that they would come see our band but we start way too late and they don't want to stay out until 2:00 a.m.

We did a show last week from 8:00 - 11:00 and the place was packed.

People do not stay out late anymore like they used to and the clubs should realize this. As soon as bands start their last set, (usually around 12:00-12:30) the places start to empty out.

I have talked to several club owners and managers and they have agreed to change the band hours to either 9:00 - 12:00 or 9:30 -12:30 and the crowds have picked up considerably.

The bonuses for the clubs are:

1. More people and more money
2. They get all the patrons out before the 2:00 a.m. PLCB rule
3. They get cleaned up and they and their help get home earlier
4. If they serve food, more people are coming out to eat around 7:00 or 8:00 and staying because they know the band will start earlier and they don't want to sit for a couple hours waiting for a band

Charltor · Post by **Charltor** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

All excellent points so far. I really think changing up the hours that bands play could benefit our scene and get more exposure to people that would otherwise not go out later. Especially with winter soon coming, people won't have as many outdoor activities to attend and will be bored out of their minds. Interesting idea. I'd really like to see some of the club owners partake in this!

Plastered Bastards · Post by **Plastered Bastards** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

I think it's a good idea to change the hours.
I look at this way:
1.After getting up really early and working all day(esp. on Friday's),most people don't get to take nappy time.
2.After you do load in,moving equipment sucks.
3.If your playing the drunk slot on a 3 band bill,the brain starts to freeze from so much of the blizzard you ingested.Your pretty much frozen.
4.The crowds would be better,because they could come see all the bands.You never know the band that's opening the show could be pretty good(Aug. 11th @ Aldo's w/Fedup.small plug)
5.Last but not least....YOU WANNA ROCK NOW!!!!!!!!

Cheers!!!!!!

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

As a live music fan I think it is a great idea. Good topic Ron.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

That wouldn't be a bad idea for some to try, it may also help out with neighbor problems they could probably tolerate music till midnight a little easier than till 2:00am.

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

Okay, I'll play Devil's Advocate:

1. What about people that work 2nd trick and don't get off until 11PM?
2. How long until the PD shifts their DUI checkpoints to begin at 10PM?
3. What about musicians (like me) who work until 7PM Mon-Fri?

Not saying that I'm not down with gigging from 8-11pm, just posing a few questions.

red · Post by **red** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

We play a lot of 8-11 shows, and the crowds are huge. (but after an hour of encores we end up playing till 12 anyways) People like being able to see the full show and still be home before 1.....

Trucula · Post by **Trucula** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

We've done that at the local leigon to help keep down the noise complaints and fights....BUT so many people were just starting to get drunk and just getting there ...And they were like"Your not quitin already are ya??//...AWWW Come ON!!".....I''d like to get home early too but around here it dosent start boomin till @ 11....and when we quit there is was a caravan of traffic to Whitsel's or The County Line!....

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

Definately some great points for the positive. A couple of points for the negative.

It's worth a try, at least at some places. But will it happen?

Somerset clubs start at 9 and 9:30. Crowds usually get there by 10 or so and they still leave around midnite or shortly thereafter.

I guess we'll see.

KMFDM ROB · Post by **KMFDM ROB** » Saturday Jul 29, 2006

I think 9-1230 instead of 10-130 works much better. Area patrons around the bar are less pissed off, the patrons can see a band, and still make it to work, et cetera.

Also the bars don't have to close as soon as the band stops at 1230, they could stay open, and serve whatever they serve until closing.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

ToonaRockGuy wrote:Okay, I'll play Devil's Advocate:

1. What about people that work 2nd trick and don't get off until 11PM?
2. How long until the PD shifts their DUI checkpoints to begin at 10PM?
3. What about musicians (like me) who work until 7PM Mon-Fri?

Not saying that I'm not down with gigging from 8-11pm, just posing a few questions.

These are good points, Kevin.

1. 8-11 is probably going just a little too far, at least for weekends. 9:00-12:?? would give them an hour of music PLUS this new post-show mingling period before last call.

2. I doubt they'd change their checkpoint time. They are basing their time on the fact that bars are open until 2:00, not that some band is playing some place...remember, most bars don't have entertainment.

3. That would make it tough, but you could also say the same thing right now about people who work until 8:00 or 9:00 and have to make a 10 or 10:30 gig. Of course, they'd really be screwed. It would definitely be a lot tougher on a drummer. You will have to hire a roadie to get everything set up. Oh well (place favorite Machiavellian/Darwinist saying here).

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

Starting earlier is a great idea. All things considered, 9:00 is arguably a better starting time than 10 or 10:30. This would be a boon to most venues that are set up for live entertainment, IMO.

This may cause logistics problems at bars that are just not set up for live entertainment. You know, the ones where you have to wade thru rows of people and chairs with hands full of equipment to get to the (lol) "stage". The ones where the typical power distribution consists of a single ORANGE extension cord.

What if you are ready to load at 12:45 and the bar is packed and they aren't going anywhere? Not only is this a hassle, but it is not a very good atmosphere for customers. The worst part is that they see you coming and are just daring you to take them out with that PA cabinet and then they act surprised when you do.

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

I can see good and bad to changing the times (Weekend-wise), though I
think it would be interesting for bars to try out and see if it works for them.

My wife is one of those "old before their years" people (Though 9 years younger than me) who doesn't like staying up late. She likes seeing bands
but not being out till 2 or 3. I know a lot of others who feel the same. SO, I can see some benefit just from that crowd (Which seems to be growing).

Forgetting weekends for a moment, I think bars could have earlier "show"-times on Thursday night to heck out
newer bands or bands that might not fit in with what they see as their normal demographic but that might pull in people.

As an example, a place that normally has a "classic" rock demographic could have a hardcore band on a Thursday from 8-10. Might pull in a lot
of business, aka MONEY, they normally wouldn't AND might have found a
new band and clientele FOR that band.

I'd much rather go out on a Thursday night till 10 to see someone new than
on a Friday where I'll be out till 2 or 3 when I might be playing the next
night or have a band I'm going to see.

Throw that in with a drink special and it could do great.

Also, isn't it odd that all of the places that now have "Biker" nights never
have live music that the "Biker" crowd might be into?

I'm sure there are a lot of bands around would fit that bill who wouldn't mind playing some Wednesday night till 10 at a place they know there'll be a crowd into what they do.

I would also add that in the town I live there's one place that fills up for
closing. No matter what else is going on anywhere that's where everyone
heads before last call. Usually about an hour, maybe 2, before. People even head there from Clearfield. I dunno. I wouldn't, but they do.

As for weekends, for bands it'd also be nice when you're doing back-to-back shows Fri and Sat to get home earlier so you're not dragging
the next night. May also foster bigger band-seeing crowds for the same reason.

Anyway, I think this is a great topic and I'd be interested to hear from
bar owners on the idea.

JeffLeeper · Post by **JeffLeeper** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

I kind of like the "9 to 12" nights, merely because it gives you a chance to play "2" overtimes....
I doubt the bars and clubs would want to change after all these years, but it can't hurt to bring it up to them.

Years ago, we played "Newburg", and they ran Saturday nights....11 til 2...

TJ Kelly · Post by **TJ Kelly** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

I really like this idea. Most people I talk to don't like staying out late and would go for an early band thing. It could be something that could slide right from a Happy Hour into the band. Hell if you started at 8pm on a weekend night you could conceivably do an early band and a late band.

I always thought somebody should run a band over happy hour on a Friday. Think about it, you just got paid, it's the weekend and you're thirsty.....Hey, I can go check out a band would definitely sway me and my $$$$.

Staceman · Post by **Staceman** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

I think it's an awesome idea, both as a musician and a patron. It would also be great for bands that travel a long way for a gig.

Hell, even the happy hour thing would be interesting.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

We've been doing Thursdays 8-11 at Burgis on the patio and its going great.
Thing is people want us to play longer but outside we have to kill it at 11.
Looks like were gonna have to pull inside to finish the night out.

RamRod 1 · Post by **RamRod 1** » Sunday Jul 30, 2006

I'll vote for it!

I lived in New Hampshire in the 70's and the band hours were 9 to 12 but I like 8 to 11:00 much better.

Everbody waits to go out for a 10 or 10:30 gig and the married people have to get Babysitters and pay until 2 or 3 in the morning. (NO wonder so many of us miss church). And then you're burned out the next day.

I hope this catches on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

Hurricane wrote:weve been doing Thursdays 8-11 at Burgis on the patio and its going great.
Thing is people want us to play longer but outside we have to kill it at 11.
Looks like were gonna have to pull inside to finish the night out.

You think we should give a try for an earlier night when you are playing at The Popper? Afterall, its the night before Thanksgiving, it may bring people out who usually dont' come out because of family obligations the next day, getting the bird stuffed early in the morning, etc. I'm gamed if you are....just let me know.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

Yeah, id say lets try 9-12 Lisa. Then if we do have a late crowd we could accomodate further. Im going to try to get you some flyers soon.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

9-12 it is!!!! I'm excited.....but what the heck am I doing up at 4am!

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

rofl, me too! Hey whats good on TV this late?

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

Why don't you quit being pussies and play from 8:30-2:00. I've been doin that for 4 months now...

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Monday Jul 31, 2006

"I always thought somebody should run a band over happy hour on a Friday. Think about it, you just got paid, it's the weekend and you're thirsty.....Hey, I can go check out a band would definitely sway me and my $$$$."

LOVE this idea!

Several places in State have bands Friday from Happy Hour then another the usual 10:30-Whenever. Don't know if that works everywhere but like the "Happy Hour" idea regardless.