Playing at a Beer Festival.

[xgsjx]

Hi folks,

I play in a secular 3 piece band (that have only done 2 gigs since I got saved a year ago December). We write all our own stuff & it's kind of a country/folk/blues/jazz fusion, all good fun.

The other day I got a message from them saying they have a gig next week at the annual Beer Festival* & do I want to play. We've played there twice in the past (2 & 3 years ago).

*"Beer festival", A small village community centre with a couple of local breweries selling a selection of different beers & ales.
I don't drink (obviously), but I don't know if I should say yes or no to the gig.
Is it any different from playing anywhere else (other than Church, of course), as playing in a town or village hall is still going to have people having a drink?

Happy Easter.

 

[DigiDigi]

If your getting paid then the obvious choice is to take it! So many benefits occur when you play at gigs its not even funny, word spreads out about how sick your band was and you gain a bit more fame. I myself just got a new invitation to a sketchy gig, but I don't care I'm getting paid good for it. Just do it.

Besides, you don't even drink. So why would it be a sin to play around drunks? I perform at family parties all the time and my mom's side are filled with alcoholics, yet they're still good people so there should be no prejudice here. If you really feel uncomfortable being there, just perform, collect your dough, and go home.

 

[The Theory]

The only reason to not play:
1. If you are a recovering alcoholic, going to a beer festival regardless of the reason would probably be bad news.

But I assume that is not the issue, in which case go and have fun. I wish I could go...I love me some beer.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Benjamin Franklin said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

 

[Fatally.Yours]

Jesus turned water into wine, I think you're cool on the alcohol front.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

Benjamin Franklin said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

I like ben.

 

[If Not For Grace]

So X:

Did you go?

 

[xgsjx]

Hey, yes I did go. Here's a synopsis...

Went over to singer's house for @10:30 & said our hellos, had a coffee & a practice with just us 2. Drummer was supposed to be coming over for 12pm & arrived at 1pm (that's drummers for ya).
Went over to Kinbuck for @3:30 & there was a folk band playing which was quite good.

Dave (singer/guitarist) went up about 5pm & did a solo set with his acoustic. The transducer had moved inside the body & just couldn't get a decent sound (sounded like it was breaking up) & every now & again got feedback. He decided to cut his set short by a song.

Next was going to be just me & Dave, but we decided to drag the drummer up as it was a lively audience & opened a laid back version of Use Me & then some country/folk type songs & some blues followed. The majority of the crowd was standing talking with the rest watching us. Finished set & took a wee break.

Came back on with some of our rock numbers as well as some other reggae & jazz stuff & got a couple of them up dancing. Was a more enjoyable set compared to the previous one. Took another wee break.
An older chap stopped me on my way out & complimented my bass playing saying he loved the way I was getting into the songs & that he notices when the bass player is good as his son is a bassist.
He went on to tell me that his son was teaching bass in Jamaica so we had a wee giggle at the thought of white man going to teach Jamaicans how to play Reggae!
He also told me that his son done some overdubs for Carlos Santana on Supernatural & is now starting a new band in London with his girlfriend on vocals.

Back on for final set & opened with a couple of songs & then Dave asked if there was any musicians in the audience who waned to come up & have a jam but no one took him up.
We then had a request for Smoke on the water so Dave said "Yes, but I don't know the words so You'll have to sing". A chap gets dragged out the audience & up with us so we "jammed" smoke on the water. We then coaxed a guy to come up & play All night long & then a few other's got dragged out the audience including some girls just to play tambourine or shakers or just to dance & ended up playing til after midnight. Had a hoot.
We then closed with another cover which I don't know the name of as Dave showed me the chords earlier at his house & I'd almost forgotten about it, but it got them all dancing & then we got an encore so did Use Me again but this time about the same speed as the original & as we are just a 3 piece I've developed a mixture of the original bassline mixed with the jazz guitar/clavenet line to fill space for Dave to take solos & went down 100 times better than the laid back version at the start of the gig.

Ended up a brilliant night & was very surprised how good we can play with a year apart.

 

[DigiDigi]

Seee? Festivals are fun when you perform at them! Quick question to OP a wee-bit curious about: did you guys get paid at least or was this voluntary? Either way its still fun to perform anywhere imo.

 

[xgsjx]

Sorry about the delay in posting.
No payment, but we got fed & watered.