For the FMP as a class we must organize a gig, this will include hiring out a venue, meeting the required ticket sales and bringing our equipment setting up the backline for the stage. This term my band will be required to put forward our planned proposal and this encloses how we will present ourselves, along with our new sound.
As chairman, I have previously organised for everyone to have their own role catered to their personal skill set. To achieve a successful event there must be roles so no one is doing nothing at any given time throughout the evening. Within our class we must determine where we would like to play based on how many people will roughly come along and the distance that would have to be travelled for all parties.
The venue can’t be too big or too small, for example we have played ‘The 1865’ twice and the crowds have always been big and lively until the end of the evening. However, this time round it will only be my year group playing which consists of three bands. I am going to be keeping an open mind to two different attributes not only performing but managing also within preparation for the final major performance.
Out of a long list of venues that came to mind based on my personal experience, I have now narrowed them down to cater for a college gig because there are a lot of variables which can prevent such going forth. Locally, we have venues such as; ‘Ferneham hall’, ‘The Wedgewood Rooms’, ‘The Heartbreakers’, ‘O2 Guildhall Southampton’ and ‘The Stage Door’. Unfortunately, it is incredibly unlikely for us to fill a venue bigger than ‘The 1865’ so that rules off two of those from the starting line.
Ticket sales, this is a variable based upon how many people are in my class decide to sell the minimum of tickets which is 4 each, but to be able to afford a venue like the O2 Guildhall in Southampton this also includes ‘The Wedgewood Rooms’ and ‘Ferneham Hall’, because they’re purely designed to cater to large crowds. Not to mention that the price of a ticket would have to be raised immensely and everyone would have to sell a lot more tickets each…
This now leaves me down to the two smaller venues in Southampton and my choices for these are ‘The Stage Door’ and ‘The Heartbreakers’, both in which are situated close to the train station in town centre which is convenient for the large majority that live in Fareham like myself. Before the gig you could spend the day shopping with friends to avoid last minute travel which is always stressful which is something nobody wants before performing to a live audience. Another benefit is a change of scenery, the music scene within Fareham is a definite contrast when put next to Southampton.
Before considering either of the two venues you must think about the logistics because without them everything could soon crumble beneath your feet. Throughout the evening these are aspects that I’d think about to make sure everything runs smoothly, which is stress reducing.
- Setting a timeline -on the day of the gig, including when the performers and any staff need to arrive to set up and prepare the venue for the audience.
- Plan door staff to handle tickets and sales, hand out wristbands, and so on. (Ask the venue if you are expected to provide staff for the needed roles too.)
- Follow the rules for the venue – this always includes the health and safety protocol and stay professional, no drinking before performing and keeping within a safe limit.
- Sort out your pricing and ticketing – Making sure we have enough money off our ticket sales to cover cost for the venue and potential staff hire.
- Check if there are any curfew or license concerns for the venue in question – Create a running order so performers are not tempted to overrun, warn them of the curfew and playing past that point this isn’t possible.
- Making a list of equipment that must be brought with us and what the venue may provide for you, ask the performers for a list of any specific equipment they need for their set too.
- Establish who is setting up the equipment and who is on the mixing desk on the night, communication is always the key element here.
Ellie Thornton Music 