Cruznolfart Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Someone said, in another thread, that "as long as you had fun, it was a successful gig". The context in which it was written was one of offering props to another member who was describing a recent gig. No argument from me. But then it occurred to me that my view of a successful gig had changed immensely of the years. From your stand-point, what would define a successful gig? And you'll have to give some idea of what your experience is with playing out, or you're just speculating. (Not that there's anything WRONG with that) I remember when a successful gig was one that I made it all the way through without vomiting ...but that was a long time ago. After many years and many stages (sorry) it finally got to where a successful gig was defined as one that led to more jobs. What do you think...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 A successful gig is one where you play well, the band sounds great, the people have a good time and you make money doing it... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 Hey, Dave, good job by the way. Obviously, you're speaking from the perspective of having a few load ins and outs under your strap. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 A successful gig to me has absolutely nothing to do with how the band sounds, looks, or plays. Nor does it have anything to do with the greedy little guy counting the money. After nearly 40 years of playing out, and somewhere near 1000 gigs, a successful gig to me is 100% gauged by audience participation, reaction, enjoyment and feedback. Now even 20 years ago that opinion would have been COMPLETELY different (If you know what I mean....)., and in another few years it will probably be gauged by NOT being carried out feet first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 " by NOT being carried out feet first" LMAO! Yeah, that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 Yeah, "success" is a funny word. It's all relative, ain't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikekefr Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 A successful gig is one where you play well, the band sounds great, the people have a good time and you make money doing it... :-) All good things..+1 to add,from my years playing,these also make for a good gig,: the bass player didnt get so hammered that you thought he had the wrong set list, and/or he pukes behind th P.A.stack on his side of the stage, the club owner was so happy after the gig,he gives the 'ok' for the band to have open bar after hours, the club owner takes you back to his office and books you through the remainder of the year, genuine music enthusiasts <not drunks> go out of thier way to tell you how much they enjoyed the show or something special about the show, i didnt break any strings in the middle of a song,especially eruption lol, the sound is so good that you can hear it bouncing off the back of the club walls, you get that 'connection' feeling from the 1st song thru the last that everyone is on,harmonies hittin,and you're at that place where you <the band> knows this is one of your best performances ever,and it pours out of you as you play.Those are things that make a 'great' gig to me.A successful gig could be a gig you didnt get asked not to finish lol,but i prefer my version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruznolfart Posted March 12, 2012 Author Share Posted March 12, 2012 "A successful gig could be a gig you didnt get asked not to finish lol" Excellent! Everybody has something to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 A successful gig is one where you play well, the band sounds great, the people have a good time and you make money doing it... :-) I agree wholeheartedly Dave. A successful gig to me has absolutely nothing to do with how the band sounds, looks, or plays. Nor does it have anything to do with the greedy little guy counting the money. After nearly 40 years of playing out, and somewhere near 1000 gigs, a successful gig to me is 100% gauged by audience participation, reaction, enjoyment and feedback. Now even 20 years ago that opinion would have been COMPLETELY different (If you know what I mean....)., and in another few years it will probably be gauged by NOT being carried out feet first. You make an excellent point Larry. "Not being carried out feet first." That's just too funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdR6MN2jKYs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 If We have fun, and the audience/attendee's have even MORE fun, because of it! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxGMWCnyNzg&feature=related Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Of course a great gig can and always should be judged by the reaction of the crowd. But the ladies, gentlemen, the ladies will always let you if it's a successful gig. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Zdz61iSLo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2TQ8ico1AY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 I tend to agree with Larry... both on the "not carried out feet first" and on the audience response. There are a number of variables both in the former and the latter, but one reason I've always preferred gigs where you were closer to people is that you could react with them and actually have a kind of dialog even without words. And... sometimes you may not be at your best with vocals or not at your best technically - but if you connect with a given audience in a given venue... I'd call that success. For example, I've done a cupla benefit gigs where I had a batch of elementary school kids to herd through various performance stuff with less than 90 minutes or so practice time with 'em. My guitar playing was no more complex than I could have done within three to six months of starting to play, but it was keeping the kids under control and in synch with the paying audience who later paid more. Those were successful gigs f'r sure. And I didn't make a penny. Oh... "the ladies' response?" The moms were young enough to be my kids and the grandmas didn't want to be perceived as unseemly. <chortle> m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 A successful gig for me is one where I've enjoyed it, and part of that enjoyment comes from knowing that the folks listening also enjoyed it. Money is secondary. Perhaps because I've made my living from other means than music. Had music been my primary way of supporting my family, my criteria would likely be very different. As things are, if they pay me $50 and the tips are good, then I've made-out like a bandit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 When you make up the next morning and wished last night never ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Dem... Back in my olden days, I didn't get up the next morning 'cuz the after-gig night didn't end until after sunup. <grin> That's really not a joke, either... m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 A successful gig for us was in two parts: 1) when you're done with a tune you can actually hear clapping, and 2) when the end of the gig occurs there are enough people left that it would take you too long to personally thank each one for showing up to your gig. Nothing stings more than saying thanks to you, you and you for showing up tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Dem... Back in my olden days, I didn't get up the next morning 'cuz the after-gig night didn't end until after sunup. <grin> That's really not a joke, either... m Alright...a good gig is when the next day you wished that it never ended. Happy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaleb Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 My idea of a "good gig" has the following criteria: My drummer doesn't @#$% up, the soundman (which is sometimes just the band) does a good job and gets a good sound without *****ing at me to turn down, *****ing at me about monitors, *****ing at me about micing vs lining (I may get a Palmer Speaker Simulator for my bigger gigs so I don't have to worry about micing or stage volume and I can use my cabinet as my monitor;), and messing with my amp settings, no interfering individuals (either a soundman, fellow musician, and or drunken audience member) to mess with the sound or the actual gig, we make a good cenote, we're tight yet loose (as to not sound mechanical and well, not loosened up!), my voice doesn't steer me wrong, my gear doesn't act up (usually my guitars misbehaving and my effects rig going haywire), nobody waltzes their way onstage (whether it be a friend or family member that has to tell me something, a drunk that wants to steal my mic, people making song requests, or a musician that just can't wait for the after show jam if there is one!), my drummer doesn't whine and complain (one time, we just finished playing Hey Joe with extended solos and getting ready to start my very long rendition of Voodoo Chile Slight Return, and the drummer says, "Is this going to be another 20 minute song?". Believe you me, I wanted to shove my friend's MIJ Strat, as I was using it, right up his rear, but I kept my cool and trailed on. Needless to say, HE WAS NEVER CALLED AGAIN! AWK!), my bassist and I don't break into an argument, there is a great crowd (with hot chicks that like to dance to Tush!), there is no fights in the crowd, I play my best and my solos don't sound stale, my amp can be turned up enough to sound sweet, the house power is good, the house PA is good, the bar staff is friendly (not to mention the owner!), I am nice and loose onstage (comfortable enough to crack jokes!), a nice, big stage (with enough room for the three of us, the big *** drum kit, my rig, and my huge guitar rack stand), and my must, PEPSI!!!! Oh, and brown M&Ms LOL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 The crowd has fun, and the check clears the bank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzoboy Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 To me a successful gig is one where the audience keeps wanting to hear more and they ask when you're playing there again.One weekend we were playing in a club in a small town where Irish and country music were the big thing.We didn't know one country song between us but played as best we could,they loved the old time rock we played so that was OK.Anyway after we finished and were putting aay our gear an old fella about 75 years old camme up to me and said"I don't go for that Boogie Woogie stuff,but you fellers were great!"I think it was the playing with the teeth for Johnny B. Goode that clinched it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 To me a successful gig is one where the audience keeps wanting to hear more and they ask when you're playing there again.One weekend we were playing in a club in a small town where Irish and country music were the big thing.We didn't know one country song between us but played as best we could,they loved the old time rock we played so that was OK.Anyway after we finished and were putting aay our gear an old fella about 75 years old camme up to me and said"I don't go for that Boogie Woogie stuff,but you fellers were great!"I think it was the playing with the teeth for Johnny B. Goode that clinched it. That same guy, was at our gig, this past NYE! Exactly, the same line/comment, too...! LOL CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overtherainbo Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Hello, FellowBabies, I enjoyed every post --- you all got it right. When it's good, it's right up there with fireworks, sex, Christmas, and motorcycles! I discovered early on that I was a smithfield hamm - I always liked being on stage. I'm not handsome, ladies don't swoon when I smile, but I can play... and oooooooooooooo, I love it. It * is * not * about * the * money it's just the only way I could get the rest of the band to show up. I loved everything about it. Never was a singer, but I could do the screamers like "Kansas City," and like that. I loved the our matching suits hey, it was Hollywood, man. Were wore black suits, with fancy gold brocade vests-- we looked like that gunfighter, Kid Shelleen, in the movie "Cat Ballou." I always loved it, even though I was sweating like crazy and had to change shirts after every set. I've always felt a massive high level of excitement to be playing - butter-fly stomach, twitchey, can't wait.... It has occurred to me that mavbe I am experiencing the same feelings that someone else might feel as a massive case of stage fright. I'm almost afraid to do it anymore, because I had a new thought, that my blood pressure might match the feeling I get while playing... I mean I wanna dance and act like Chris Farley or Jack Black, If it was up to me, I could skip some of the breaks, just keep the ice-cold Pepsi coming, and don't close the club, let's play after hours... I have almost never finished a job where I couldn't play for another hour or more. Of course I have memories of things that went wrong -- some of 'em better not to discuss -- and it's good to leave those out of the thread. I'm just glad a lot of you understand the need to play... Yeah, yah gots to have money in order to keep on, but it's just a small part of the reason. Playing guitar in a rock band is important because when I was twelve, I was completely tongue-tied around girls; I had no small talk, I had no idea what interested them. I was interested in hot-rods, hot motorcycles, and electric guitars, but outside those subjects, I had nothin'. I was completely overwhelmed by girls, they were taller, they wore makeup, they were budding into women, and I was at a loss to understand... I had just started combing my hair without my mother's nagging; that was my first, biggest, most considered move towards trying to prepare myself for the Girls. But the Girls continued to be untouchable, unapproachable, unflustered, and unattainable. I had one lucky break the previous year that I didn't even appreciate until years later. When we first moved to Oxnard, my brother and I were from the less-sophisticated rural areas of California, our friends were still playing cowboys and indians. But city kids were already dating, going to movies, drive-ins, hanging out in malt shops, and ** the biggy ** going on dates to Disneyland!! I didn't even suspect. I was so excited... I was in the first week of the seventh grade, and the next morning was "show and tell" --- I couldn't wait to show my fancy, Nichols 45 cap pistol with it's white plastic handles to the class. So I'm sittin' at my desk in my boots and jeans, just waiting to show 'em my supercool new toy, and every kid that gets up is talking about stuff I never thought of, they're wearing Italian styled jackets and shoes, the girls have purses and are wearing jewelry, they're talking about their new wrist watch, sports equipment, fancy birthday parties,bottles of cologne ... Not toys, grown-up stuff, boring stuff to me. The clues were all there, but I wasn't gettin' it... and I was pretty annoyed that I never got my turn... It was only years later that I realized that God is real, and he was looking out for me that day; and He had given me a lucky break... If I had gotten my turn, and I had shown the class my little toy pistol, I would have never have dated until my 40s. I can vividly remember how I got hooked on the stage experience... I was a 14, I didn't smoke, didn't have a car, didn't drink, didn't have money, and I still didn't have a way to talk to girls. But I was an up and coming guitar-slinger and I had just discovered **** Dale and "Miserlou". We were playing hot at a county fair in Ventura, and a crowd had gathered around the bandstand; a crowd liberally sprinkled with beach bunnies and cowgirls, and the people were hanging on every note... i was loving it. We had been playing a lot of USO stuff and EM clubs, but I was not used to having so many girls in the crowd. I never forget the moment when I realized I could do something that had really held the attention of the crowd. Looking back, it's almost funny - the crowd was staring up at us as we played like we were gonna toss out little doggie treats and candy. But I loved it. I had discovered something I could do better than anyone in my school or in town. And suddenly the girls began to find me interesting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 What is a "successful gig"? When there's still a long line of people outside trying to get in the venue half way through your set, or the Fire Marshall shows up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 A successful gig is where the audience had fun (I always have fun but have the most fun when the audience is hottest) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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