[quote name='Jazzjames' timestamp='1445082333' post='2888664']
I haven't read all the thread, but my advice to people who are depping in function bands is, learn the music. Many function bands don't use charts as it looks a bit lame, and then everyone's heads are out of the music stands and playing more together. When I first started getting asked to dep for a couple of bands, I got sent a list of tunes, and I didn't know say 30 of them, now, I only need to learn maybe 2 or 3. You just accumulate tunes as you get more experienced, and it gets easier.
If you want to get asked back, do your homework. It may seem like a lot of work for only a £150 gig or whatever, but in the long run it will be noted that you're a reliable guy who cares the gig.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the sentiment present in some posts that 'punters' (hate that word) don't care about the music, as long as it's recognisable. You never know who's in the audience. I'm glad on several occasions that I've done my homework on a gig that didn't look very promising, and has resulted in some very cool gigs.
Worth thinking the long game. Obviously, use your common sense, if you live in London and you're getting asked to learn 40 obscure tunes for a £80 gig in Skegness, finishing at midnight, no expenses, you can tell them 'no thanks!'.
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Couldn't agree more with this or the comment above analogy about hiring a band.
As a regular dep fir several bans this is what i aim for, whether it'ts £150 for a function or a 60 quid pub gig.