How was your PA last night?

[mrtcat]

Venues are well aware they sound bad. They just have to comply with the local authorities regarding noise pollution. The problem is that they sell it to the clients as a positive thing. Conversely we advise them of the limitations of the system at the point where they book us. There is a whole section of our contract dedicated to absolving us of blame for the quality of the final sound when these systems are involved. It also covers them not informing us at the time of booking. 

In the world of wedding bands you just need to accept limiters and in house systems. If you refuse to play the game you just get far less work. Its part of why function bands charge more than pub bands. We are essentially just a pub band that are prepared to put up with more grief.

[EBS_freak]

11 hours ago, Phil Starr said:

No come on, say what you really think

 

I guess this gives @mrtcat a professional problem. If people commented on the band sounded at the sound at the event then the band's reputation is at risk. If the band start to highlight the problems with the sound then the venue could lose bookings and revenue. I can imagine that having invested £10,000's of pounds on this system the venue are going to be reluctant to re-visit the sound system. Equally the clients might eventually twig that the sound at this venue is never good. There are some delicate conversations to be had here. If the system is new the venue might have some redress with the people who sold them the system and the earlier they realise thay have an issue the easier that would be to deal with.

 

 

In reality, most punters wouldn't know what a good or bad sounding band at a wedding sounds like. And if it sounds rubbish and the punters notice, they won't say anything - they are guests at a wedding and unlikely to have picked up the bill. Nobody will tell the bride or groom, cos nobody is going to be that person that potentially ruins their day... hence the problem goes unchallenged, the venue is paid, the band gets paid... and everybody is happy... kinda. Lets face it, for most couples and guests, it's a one off event.

[EBS_freak]

11 hours ago, mrtcat said:

Venues are well aware they sound bad. They just have to comply with the local authorities regarding noise pollution. The problem is that they sell it to the clients as a positive thing. Conversely we advise them of the limitations of the system at the point where they book us. There is a whole section of our contract dedicated to absolving us of blame for the quality of the final sound when these systems are involved. It also covers them not informing us at the time of booking. 

In the world of wedding bands you just need to accept limiters and in house systems. If you refuse to play the game you just get far less work. Its part of why function bands charge more than pub bands. We are essentially just a pub band that are prepared to put up with more grief.

The problem - well, it's morally bankrupt. I always smirk when I see "that pdf" which shows all this top end equipment listed. There's always the narrative "top end system", "sounds amazing", "no complaints ever"... lies lies lies.

 

Anyway, these "great" setups dont mean anything... pricey setups don't defy physics.

 

I think the golden era of making a living via being in a function band is well and truly over. Or maybe it's just cos I got sick of it all... Dunno. But it was definitely getting less enjoyable every gig I did.

[mrtcat]

1 hour ago, EBS_freak said:

Or maybe it's just cos I got sick of it all... Dunno. But it was definitely getting less enjoyable every gig I did.

It's very rare that I really enjoy the playing side of it these days. Venues are getting harder to deal with, I've never liked the indie pop rock type covers that we play and brides / grooms / wedding guests annoy me more and more as time goes by. I do it because £400 for hanging out with my mates is better than sitting on the sofa. I have young kids so my wife and i wouldn't otherwise be going out on a Saturday night. The money pays for nice family holidays etc. I earn well enough away from music that I don't have to do it and im not playing in pubs which i have absolutelyno desire to do. I have other musical projects ongoing that I really love but thankfully they're not week in week out type things as there's no real money in it and I just want that to be for fun.