Guitar Gear Forum

When our current mayor got himself elected on a platform of, "I'm not gonna talk about building an event center because all the other candidates are talking non-stop about it," then made his first priority once elected to build an event center, the local area was disappointed. Now it's up, done, ready for performers. And the number one argument against building the event center was we'd never get huge acts to come here no matter what facilities we had.

Sure, they have a smattering of larger acts coming every few months, but there's no steady stream, so they're attempting to "showcase" the event center by booking local acts. Honestly, this part is a good idea. The bad part is, well, they're giving priority to bands that will play for free, and in all honesty trying to avoid paying local acts anything at all out of their own budgets.

The local scene is NOT happy. Especially those that have played several large free events in the past where they are compensated.

An article that describes the current situation as it stands. Especially telling that the douche in charge doesn't understand why its insulting. It's the same attitude that has been displayed since they began the project. They feel it should be a priviledge for someone to be able to play their event center, regardless of following, size, or success they've already had. They've expressed public frustration for months over the fact that national touring acts haven't been chomping at the bit to perform here. And now they're shocked that local acts don't want to come play for free "just for the exposure."



I've got enough buds in local acts I'm getting a huge earful this morning. What says GAB?

if the entire state of south dakota showed up the level of exposure a band would receive still would not justify the load in and load out to play a free show in south dakota. I might play for free only if that nitwit mayor loaded all the gear and set it all up and then brought it back to all our houses.

There are a few angles to this. If doing one of these gigs will get a band's foot in the door (so to speak) and open up some other paid opportunities; I would be all about it. One time. It's a slippery slope, but playing higher profile civic event type things can lead to other gigs down the road providing you are good. State fairs, other bigger local events. Not cool to some people but good money and good crowds usually. That is coming strictly from a cover band perspective.

If I was an original band; I would only do it if the artist was one of my favorites and I didn't care how much wh*ring I had to do to make it happen My one pay to play story involved playing a show with Strapping Young Lad. Didn't give a f**k; it was SYL and we did it. I am smack dab in a rural area in the midwest and opening for Drowning Pool or wtf-ever is not an opportunity; no matter what some 12th tier promoter is trying to tell you.

Let me clear up a minor possible misconception, these are not currently "with other bands" gigs. These are side-room, by yourself, come and play so people can see what it's like to see bands play at the event center shows. There's only one band I'm aware of that has a main-stage gig.

And two of the dudes I know put in an app to play one of these gigs with their band, but have stipulated that they either get comped a certain amount, OR the center provides a drum kit, a PA, lighting etc, etc, etc. They're pretty sure it's not gonna happen.

I also haven't heard any mention of doing a freebie to get your foot in the door. It seems it's literally all about trying to fill the rooms with acts at the moment.

nightflameauto wrote:Let me clear up a minor possible misconception, these are not currently "with other bands" gigs. These are side-room, by yourself, come and play so people can see what it's like to see bands play at the event center shows. There's only one band I'm aware of that has a main-stage gig.

And two of the dudes I know put in an app to play one of these gigs with their band, but have stipulated that they either get comped a certain amount, OR the center provides a drum kit, a PA, lighting etc, etc, etc. They're pretty sure it's not gonna happen.

I also haven't heard any mention of doing a freebie to get your foot in the door. It seems it's literally all about trying to fill the rooms with acts at the moment.

With that information in mind, f**k that noise.

That is some bullshit. Here is a tasty lick, now pay me some fucking money you mooks.

Obviously, the national acts are not going to play for free, but are these local bands able to draw enough people to justify their pay? If so, then yeah, they should get paid. But if they have a draw of 10 people then well...I don't know what to tell you. When I read that "Geoff Gunderson says a $115 million venue shouldn’t be asking local bands to play for free" my first thought was who the fuck is Geoff Gunderson?

GuitarBilly wrote:Obviously, the national acts are not going to play for free, but are these local bands able to draw enough people to justify their pay? If so, then yeah, they should get paid. But if they have a draw of 10 people then well...I don't know what to tell you. When I read that "Geoff Gunderson says a $115 million venue shouldn’t be asking local bands to play for free" my first thought was who the fuck is Geoff Gunderson?

He's a local guitar hero that actually does draw. I've seen him a few times. Pretty good originals dude, but has a couple cover bands he plays with too.

If he draws he should be paid accordingly, but he also should do fine without playing the civic center.

GuitarBilly wrote:If he draws he should be paid accordingly, but he also should do fine without playing the civic center.

And I think he does. He just tends to be one of the dudes the local press hit up when they need a quote for anything about the music scene.

I do believe the general vibe here is there's a huge amount of animosity already over wasting millions in taxpayer dollars to fund this project for no discernable reason. We had a similar project about ten years ago that draws only about two big acts a year. And a similar project ten years before that that I couldn't tell you the last time a big act came to. And somehow, every new mayor wants to build yet another even center, or pavillion, or arena remodel, because THAT will be the trigger that will make us attractive to the big touring acts. So we've got an entire city sick of the bullshit, several months of public whining about how national acts don't appreciate the effort they've put in to make our city attractive to them (despite the lack of population) and now this.

I understand that, but I live in the square opposite of this situation. L.A. attracts tons of national acts (heck a ton of them even live here) and any good size venue/civic center will not open space for a small local act, not even for free. You will have to pay to rent it out and draw enough to make up at the door.

So the idea of a civic center open for local acts, even if it's for free, does not offend me. It's a matter of perspective.

GuitarBilly wrote:I understand that, but I live in the square opposite of this situation. L.A. attracts tons of national acts (heck a ton of them even live here) and any good size venue/civic center will not open space for a small local act, not even for free. You will have to pay to rent it out and draw enough to make up at the door.

So the idea of a civic center open for local acts, even if it's for free, does not offend me. It's a matter of perspective.

I agree. In Chicago it's similar. Even the small venues, 300-500 cap, have an overhead cost for the night (let's say $300-$500 depending on venue and which day of the week). If a band books out the show, without a promoter, they aren't "paying to play" but if they don't draw enough they have to cover the cost difference. Makes sense...venues need to pay bills.

For me, it depends on the level of exposure or what you stand to gain from it. We're playing HOB here in just under 2 weeks and they gave us tickets we can sell if we want. They expect us to sell some, and I'm ok with that, but wouldn't be at a small venue.

GuitarBilly wrote:So the idea of a civic center open for local acts, even if it's for free, does not offend me. It's a matter of perspective.

This.

this seemed like a plea of "if you are interested in your community and are in support of this event center, come play and help us with the soft opening!", like being asked to play a telethon for a cause, regardless of whether the cause is just or not. not like a "come play our awesome event center for free, you'll get EXPOSURE!!!!" deal. in which case, do it if you dig it, dont if you dont. shit like that happens here all the damn time, in the (allegedly ) best scene one earth.

it also seemed like an episode of parks and rec

i also originally read this as "local scene....getting very hungry" and thought of either a taco or bbq food truck opportunity.

Y0UNGBL00D wrote:i also originally read this as "local scene....getting very hungry" and thought of either a taco or bbq food truck opportunity.

DAMMIT! And now I'm hungry.

After further reflection I think this basically amounts to our area just not realizing how the big boys want to play because, frankly, the big boys have always kept a large separation between the local talent and themselves except for Jazz Fest every year. There's still some serious pissy pants going on in ripples, but most folks have just went, "meh," by this point and moved on. Except the press, but when has the press ever been able to let something go before the next thing comes along to be pissed about?