Wall between the band and audience

[bassist_25]

Bag brought this up in Fayted's show thread, and it's something that I've always wanted to bring up here. How close do you like to be to the audience when you perform?

Personally, I like the audience right up against the stage. It doesn't feel natural to have them back in the room. I really don't know how big national artists do it with a hundred or so feet between the stage and the audience. The first set is usually a little awkward, because people are shy then, unless you've had an opening band or are a multi-band bill. Of course, the first set is one of the most important, because that's when you're probably going to be judged most critically.

Furthermore, I agree with what Bag has said about the stage being "the band's area." I know that a lot of punk and hardcore bands want the band and audience to be one, but I still like a little bit of segregation just due to the amount of money that's sitting on a stage at any given time. Most people don't violate the stage. Though it sucks when you're at a place that doesn't have a stage. Monitors serve somewhat as a psuedo-barrier, but people are more apt to come into the band area if there's no stage. With that said, I'm not against to audience members being on the stage. As long as they are respectful of us and our equipment, I want them to be part of the show. I just get a little worried when you get the rowdy dudes at stage front. I've had mic stands come back into my mouth and into my basses and rig.

What's everyone's thoughts?

[MeYatch]

everytime we play in st mary's we get some drunk guy falling down, or being pushed into our area, right between me and eric. So far it hasn't caused any problems, but thats a little too close...

[JeffLeeper]

Personally, I like to go out and interact with them, as opposed to having them step all over a few hundred dollars' worth of goodies.

[ToonaRockGuy]

Fat Vinny uses a very simple and cost effective tool when The Wiseguys play out. (I learned about it from subbing for a gig for them a few years back.)

In a non-stage situation, get one of those plastic/rubber wrapped light ropes and use it to mark off the floor area where you are going to be playing. If anyone steps across the rope, you ask them politely to step back behind the rope. You'd be amazed how simple it is, and how effective. It took me by surprise.

[JeffLeeper]

That's not too bad!
I might try that.
Thanks.

[witchhunt]

I think the 50 cal. from the other thread would be effective.

[ToonaRockGuy]

I think the 50 cal. from the other thread would be effective.

We should have had that for that gig where the fight broke out, Bill!! That would have ruled.

[Merge]

I agree that the stage is the "band's area". There's nothing worse then some drunk guy, reeking of whiskey, walking onto the stage in the middle of the solo to ask "Hey, can you play that Kid Rock song Picture". Floor monitors act as a good barrier, but in ears are even better. When some drunk walks up to me and asks me to play some cliche classic rock song, I just yell "I can't hear you". I don't mind people onstage with us sometimes, as long as it's women!!

[witchhunt]

Yeah, Kevin. That would have looked real good mounted on your bass drum.

[RobTheDrummer]

I like it close up and personal. Makes it more fun!

[VENTGtr]

Best of all, I like being on the floor with people right up against us.
Granted, the equipment issue is there but still.

I like stages from time-to-time but having the goofy mugs right there
is preferred. At least when they're attractive, drunken female faces
having a good time.

Granted, a few weeks ago a not-so-small (Being diplomatic) drunk
woman fell into our monitors dragging our not-so-big singer down with
her mid-song. Not sure which was funnier, their falling or the look on
his face.

That being said, I like being on the floor better when there's some sort
of an alcove of some type so people can't get in beside you while your
playing.

I've played where those velvet ropes in theaters set up.
Worked really well but still felt like a bit too much of a barrier to me.

I also agree that a situation where everyone is REALLY far back would
taking some getting used to.

[SuffrInLys]

i like to have a stage but i don't like spending the whole time on it.. i would rather be screaming off of a chair or pool table or whatever else is available.. if there is a pit like to be right at the edge of it or right in the middle of it when i am singing and i like the fans to be as close as possible with out breaking shit

[Primates]

At the battle everyone just fuckin horded 2nd Offense's area. It was insane. I was waiting to see people crawling up on the walls just tp get closer. But the only problem we had was a kid stepped on jess's chord and pulled it out. luckily it was at the very beggining of a song. But other then that it was fuckin crazy and its what made the show that great.

[BURK]

Floor monitors act as a good barrier, but in ears are even better. When some drunk walks up to me and asks me to play some cliche classic rock song, I just yell "I can't hear you".

ABSOLUTELY!!!

You can also just point to your ear and shake your head too... Even though you can actually hear them through the mic's.

I like very close, in your face, audiences...

As for on stage, we promote the no dudes rule... The ladies are always welcome!!!

-BURK

www.myspace.com/lowjackmusic

[BURK]

Almost forgot... If you actually do want a wall between the band and the audience book a show at the Wilderness in New Lancaster Valley... Interesting stage set-up for sure!!!

[Punkinhead]

I prefer the audience as close as possible. Hell, they could even mosh onstage if they wanted to, I'd join in.

[Plastered Bastards]

We like having people in our faces,it makes you drive harder.
If you can get past our singer,more the merrier.
He just goes insane and then you have everybody else doing it.
Closer the better,I say.
Cheers!!!!!!!

[Primates]

Hell, they could even mosh onstage if they wanted to, I'd join in.

Haha There We Go!

[DATASOUND]

Even though I'm out front doing sound now, I spent my days on stages too. I always liked a stage as opposed to the floor. Nothing to high. I've played places that had 4+ foot high stages and that was just too high. I would rather have played on the floor when a stage is that high. But a 1-2ft stage is nice. keeps the separation but not to pedestal like. That being said, I've never been against a few visits on stage. Mainly of the female persuasion.
Now as a soundman, I'm not at ease with the audience getting on stage. Most equipment is pretty tuff. The equipment always wins over flesh. Stepping on a cable or speaker jack can bring some unexpected results though. Draft beer being spilt right down the horn of a monitor will tend to set me off. The biggest gripe is when an audience member starts yelling or singing into a mic uninvited. I mute at will in this situation. I have been called an asshole by an audience member because I muted the mic when he stepped up to it and started yelling misc. things in-between songs. Yeh right, and I'm the asshole

[HBSPro]

I have to agree with dean from Data. the personal interaction with the crowd was always nice when i was playing also. but sitting behind a drum set does make that interaction a little bit harder to enjoy. but Also since moving into the Production Part of the Job and Owning all that gear. it does Become a little bit harder to take on Stupid. when trhat one person thinks it no big deal to put that mic in the monitors or that large draft beer goes every where. were it is not supposed too. And the soundman is always refered to ass the asshole as a result of it but oh well. but the 2 foot stage does help or just even being enough room for the venue to support the live show helps. but interaction from the crowd does help the artist proform better or make a more enjoyable show.