Author Topic: SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT FESTS (NOT INSUB SPECIFICALLY, BUT IT IS INCLUDED) (Read 560 times)

Mugsy · « **on:** January 30, 2012, 09:25:14 AM »

I KEEP SEEING NEW FESTS POPPING UP IN EVERY NETHER REGION OF THE COUNTRY (YES, LARRY, INCLUDING NEW HAMPSHIRE) AND I WAS WONDERING A FEW THINGS ABOUT THEM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BOTH THE PROMOTERS AND THE BANDS.

FOR PROMOTERS: IS IT WORTH IT TO BRING ALL THESE BANDS AND OUT OF TOWNERS INTO TOWN FOR A SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC EVENT THAT FEELS RUSHED AND CRAMMED?

BANDS: DO YOU FEEL FINANCIALLY COMPENSATED WHEN YOU PLAY FESTS? DO YOU FEEL OBLIGATED TO STAY PAST THE DAY YOU'RE PLAYING, IF ITS A PART OF YOUR TOUR?

I'M JUST SOMEWHAT CURIOUS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OF THESE THROWN TOGETHER, TWO DAYS/FOUR SHOWS "FESTS" WHICH MIGHT SERVE BETTER AS A SERIES OF SHOWS FOR THE BANDS TOURING (SINCE IT SEEMS SO MANY MAKE THEIR TOUR SCHEDULE AROUND THESE FESTS)

THANKS, ALL!

Mugsy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:00:02 AM »

NO REPLIES? GUYS, EVERY MUSICIAN ON HERE BUT ME HAS PLAYED INSUB. DISH.

ChaddDerkins · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:03:51 AM »

I've only played Insub and Gainesville, and both were terrific. I don't really have much more to say, since I haven't been in an active band since festmania swept the country.

mattmalice · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:04:15 AM »

One show at a "fest" is usually not worth it, financially...at least not for my band. Gotta do a tour or spend some money out of pocket. Either way though, is fine with me, as it's usually just an excuse to get out of town, have fun and party with friends I rarely see.

mattmalice · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:06:06 AM »

Also, for the promoters, I'm sure it's not worth it from a financial standpoint. The good ones probably don't pay themselves at all for all the work and planning that goes into it. But, yeah...they're fun, so whatever.

Marshall · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:06:33 AM »

i always feel obligated to stay

just ask two lights

dave · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:09:19 AM »

Anytime I've stayed for a whole fest while on tour was because the fest was awesome. Not really an obligation or anything.

Though most of these fests that are popping up don't need to happen.

BenTM · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:09:27 AM »

Quote from: Mugsy on January 30, 2012, 11:00:02 AM

NO REPLIES? GUYS, EVERY MUSICIAN ON HERE BUT ME HAS PLAYED INSUB. DISH.

Stop posting in all caps and maybe someone will read it.

ChaddDerkins · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:11:44 AM »

I am not in a touring band, but I feel like there are SO many fests nowadays, that a touring band couldn't possibly consider each one an exciting top priority, yknow?

Grath · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:13:33 AM »

As a guy in a not-real band, I've always been like "whoa, money!" when we've gotten paid at a fest. Those fests being Insub, Gainesville and Best Friend's Day. I didn't catch a second of BFD besides the show we played and didn't feel bad about it at all, but, yeah, I never care about that sorta thing.

Mugsy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:18:00 AM »

Quote from: Marshall on January 30, 2012, 11:06:33 AM

i always feel obligated to stay

just ask two lights

FUCK ALL YOUR SHOWS

jason_sation · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2012, 11:20:35 AM »

Quote from: Grath on January 30, 2012, 11:13:33 AM

As a guy in a not-real band, I've always been like "whoa, money!" when we've gotten paid at a fest. Those fests being Insub, Gainesville and Best Friend's Day. I didn't catch a second of BFD besides the show we played and didn't feel bad about it at all, but, yeah, I never care about that sorta thing.

If I had Chad as my bass player, I wouldn't have been checking anything else out either.

Marc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:11:17 PM »

Yeah hanging out with Chad and Deanna instead of going to that Grindcore show - what were you thinking?

Grath · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:13:25 PM »

Chad/Deanna/Shawn comicfest '11 is the best fest I've been to in years.

ChristCrusher · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:36:41 PM »

the fests with the NOT crazy big headliners make me happier financially, but the crowds at the fests with the crazy big headliners are better, so it's a wash.

From a promotors side. I think it all depends on the professionalism of the bands/venue. If the bands and the venue are ready to work with you to make sure it all runs smoothly, I would guess it would be as stress free as it can be, and probably a good time. Where if you have a bunch of piss pants on any level, it would take away the fun factor.

random prick · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:45:35 PM »

only fest deals i've played are one day zingers, locally. and it was like, one. and we played early so not a bunch of people were there to see us. but its no biggie, still get to party when i'm done.

if i were to tour to a multi-day one, if it fit in i;d try and stick around to see some bands and stuff. why not?

jeff poot · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:33:22 PM »

kind of a pain in the ass as a tour destination. every crummy band on earth trying to tour in the same area at the same time. it mad of stinks.

bob sacamano · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:39:19 PM »

Quote from: Mugsy on January 30, 2012, 09:25:14 AM

FOR PROMOTERS: IS IT WORTH IT TO BRING ALL THESE BANDS AND OUT OF TOWNERS INTO TOWN FOR A SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC EVENT THAT FEELS RUSHED AND CRAMMED?

BANDS: DO YOU FEEL FINANCIALLY COMPENSATED WHEN YOU PLAY FESTS? DO YOU FEEL OBLIGATED TO STAY PAST THE DAY YOU'RE PLAYING, IF ITS A PART OF YOUR TOUR?

honestly, i'd answer no to all three parts

they're a giant pain in the ass to coordinate and you're lucky if you're breaking even (from a band or promoter standpoint) but it can still be fun/worth it if that's what you really wanna do.

Danarky · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:45:50 PM »

As a musician I love them. The crowds are great and I always get to see a lot of old friends in other bands, some of whom I don't get to hang out with nearly as much as I'd like.

As a music fan, I hate them. Everything's too crammed together and I never get to see all of the bands that I want to see. And 9 times out of 10, the band I'm most looking forward to is always playing at the same time as Chinese Telephones.

Danarky · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:48:23 PM »

Quote from: jeff poot on January 30, 2012, 05:33:22 PM

kind of a pain in the ass as a tour destination. every crummy band on earth trying to tour in the same area at the same time. it mad of stinks.

Although I find this to be true it usually doubles up the part I like about getting to party w/ friends that you don't get to see often enough, 'cause you're usually playing 2 to 3 non-Fest shows together.

Marshall · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:50:08 PM »

Quote from: Danarky on January 30, 2012, 05:45:50 PM

As a musician I love them. The crowds are great and I always get to see a lot of old friends in other bands, some of whom I don't get to hang out with nearly as much as I'd like.

As a music fan, I hate them. Everything's too crammed together and I never get to see all of the bands that I want to see. And 9 times out of 10, the band I'm most looking forward to is always playing at the same time as Chinese Telephones.

who cares about seeing them?

(click to show/hide)

Danarky · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:53:29 PM »

Quote from: Marshall on January 30, 2012, 05:50:08 PM

who cares about seeing them?

(click to show/hide)
just kidding. which fest was it where one of the guys (mark or jeff...i forget) filled in with you guys? that was my only time seeing you guys and it was great. i was kind of distracted though b/c my girlfriend was in the bathroom vomiting after wild turkey shots.

My point exactly!

(click to show/hide)

Danarky · « **Reply #22 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:55:20 PM »

That was also the closest we ever came to sounding like we do on the LP, 'cause Jeff did all the backups.

random prick · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2012, 02:41:51 AM »

also, for the multi day ones, i can only say from aweseome fest, havent really done any other several-day ones, in the last awesome fest, after partying hard for the pre show and 1st day, i enjoyed very little of the 3rd day, due to how shitty i felt, i probably only liked 2-3 bands that whole day. the problem is too by the end of em, lots of em start sounded the same, or close enough that you cant enjoy as much... i lucked out though on the last night of AF5, i got it together enough and enjoyed thie shit out of the night show at eleven. (also the bands i wanted to see most were there...

long reply who cares what i say ever

bob sacamano · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2012, 01:30:22 PM »

Quote from: random prick on January 31, 2012, 02:41:51 AM

also, for the multi day ones, i can only say from aweseome fest, havent really done any other several-day ones, in the last awesome fest, after partying hard for the pre show and 1st day, i enjoyed very little of the 3rd day, due to how shitty i felt, i probably only liked 2-3 bands that whole day. the problem is too by the end of em, lots of em start sounded the same, or close enough that you cant enjoy as much... i lucked out though on the last night of AF5, i got it together enough and enjoyed thie shit out of the night show at eleven. (also the bands i wanted to see most were there...

well, that's probably because at awesome fest all those bands are the same. oh, dang.