Anyone play outside this past weekend?

[floodcitybrass]

We did but luckily we had an ealier slot before the 5pm downpour came.

[tornandfrayed]

EVK played outside at the Fairgrounds in Tipton. Lots of wind but no rain! Great day! Great people, lots of fun and good times! I take my kids to this and there are several other family's that hang out...

Thanks to Mystery Train!

[witchhunt]

Played for a biker rally inside a sports club with no A/C and the doors open. It was so muggy, it might as well have been raining inside.

[Bloodsong]

i might be in the minority, but I HATE PLAYING OUTSIDE. the vibe is all wrong, i hate the sun, and there is zero intimacy with the crowd. i think Ozzfest blows; i'd rather see a band play the Smiling Moose or Aldo's any day....

[Banned]

i might be in the minority, but I HATE PLAYING OUTSIDE. the vibe is all wrong, i hate the sun, and there is zero intimacy with the crowd. i think Ozzfest blows; i'd rather see a band play the Smiling Moose or Aldo's any day....

Agreed 100%!

[DrumAndDestroy]

i might be in the minority, but I HATE PLAYING OUTSIDE. the vibe is all wrong, i hate the sun, and there is zero intimacy with the crowd. i think Ozzfest blows; i'd rather see a band play the Smiling Moose or Aldo's any day....

agreed

[floodcitybrass]

I love playing outside but hate when the event planning is poor.

[bsaller]

I love playing outside but hate when the event planning is poor.

That's about 95% of the time! The promoters give the band 15 to 30 min. to set up and do a sound check. I'm not crazy about doing outdoor gigs anymore.

[bassist_25]

I'm with the majority here; I'd rather play indoors than outdoors. Cold makes the muscles in the hands misbehave and humidity makes strings sticky. Plus, I don't like being at the mercy of the weather. Nothing is more frustrating than showing up for a gig and hoping those black clouds keep moving.

Plus load in can suck balls if it's not possible to get relatively close to the stage with your vehicle. I've humped speaker cabs over long distances to the stage on more than one occasion.

[witchhunt]

Cold makes the muscles in the hands misbehave and humidity makes strings sticky.

I hear ya.

[Flaw]

I'm with the majority here; I'd rather play indoors than outdoors. Cold makes the muscles in the hands misbehave and humidity makes strings sticky. Plus, I don't like being at the mercy of the weather. Nothing is more frustrating than showing up for a gig and hoping those black clouds keep moving.

Plus load in can suck balls if it's not possible to get relatively close to the stage with your vehicle. I've humped speaker cabs over long distances to the stage on more than one occasion.

+1

Its just a lot more to worry about when doing an outside show. No one wants to play when its 90 degrees out and the air so thick its almost impossible to breath, that or a washout. I remember checking the weather all week before a show, seeing what i was in for. Its just too much. It seems to have a good outdoor show to happen the stars have to align. With inside shows its just about getting people to show up.

Now don't get me wrong, those seldom outdoor shows i played that went off without a hitch, i loved it! just because i was outside on a great day enjoying some good bands and playing some music.

[tornandfrayed]

I guess that I would be a fool to say that I prefer an impromptu outdoor festival to playing 30 something but...

On the other hand I have my kids play without monitors a lot. I have them play where the comfort level is not the greatest and we do shows for charity where the sound is not the greatest. I want them to believe that they can do a great job regardless of the conditions and so far they have.

I have them do this because I am trying to instill the love of the show, that caring about a crowd and caring about getting to play is more important then the specifics about the show. I want them to have fun and outdoor shows at this point have afforded them that opportunity. They have had a great time, the shows are always done well and the attendance is decent. More importantly they get to play and do what they love for people who seem to care!

So yeah, I say play where you can and play well!

Rock out and live well!

Indoors or outdoors...

[floodcitybrass]

Plus load in can suck balls if it's not possible to get relatively close to the stage with your vehicle. I've humped speaker cabs over long distances to the stage on more than one occasion.

+1

--THunder in the Valley Johnstown--
Security Guy: "You can't go through here."
Me: "I need through to get to the stage."
Security Guy: "Only motorcycles and pedestrians are permitted."
Me: "But I have a 400 pounds of gear that needs on the stage."
Security Guy: "You'll need to go look for parking somewhere."

Then if you do finally worm your way and drive to the stage, the next band going on parks you in and you are stuck there till midnight.

[RFBuck]

There was a Thunder In The Valley episode like that for our crew, but I don't know if I'm allowed to tell it....
Let's just say be careful wheeling your bass cab down the hill...watch for cracks in the sidewalk....

[songsmith]

Mama Corn played at the debut Cavegrass festival at Lincoln Caverns. PMAC handled audio, and it was pretty well-planned, so there were few worries. I LOVE playing outside, and for some reason, the more humid it is, the better I sing. The gig-ass, I could do without.
Musically, we played one our best shows in awhile, and the heavy rain held off until after it was over. It was quite the party, too.
I just hope next week's Smoked Country Jam won't be a repeat of last year's monsoons.--->JMS

[Mysterytrain]

It's always been interesting to me how much the element of the setting brings the music together.

The lyrics kinda speak of the setting too.

A few examples...

For a punk/Metal band- I think the setting should be in a black stage with or dirty basement. You know, where you smell sweat, beer and smoke is in the air. No glamour or color. Rebellion at it's finest.

Bluegrass on a porch, in a barn or country setting makes the all acoustic instruments seems as natural as the music itself. On a corner in NYC just wouldn't seem that fitting to me.

Folk singers at a coffee shop or other close intimate setting feels right. Playing at the Grand Opening of a corparation chain store kinda misses the point.

Jazz in a martini bar with oak and brass would probably go over well.

Jambands/Psychedelic - During summer months I can't imagine anywhere but outside in a peaceful setting. Rain or shine. The music is the air, the magic of a field full of nature loving hippie freaks with room to spin, dance with the moon shining high. Add a bonfire and hand drums and acoustic guitars and the outdoor setting is perfect.

Anyway, it's amazing that the 12 notes in music can create so many styles for any type of person to enjoy. Wherever you play, Rock on and make those people dance.

[Bloodsong]

It's always been interesting to me how much the element of the setting brings the music together.

The lyrics kinda speak of the setting too.

A few examples...

For a punk/Metal band- I think the setting should be in a black stage with or dirty basement. You know, where you smell sweat, beer and smoke is in the air. No glamour or color. Rebellion at it's finest.

Bluegrass on a porch, in a barn or country setting makes the all acoustic instruments seems as natural as the music itself. On a corner in NYC just wouldn't seem that fitting to me.

Folk singers at a coffee shop or other close intimate setting feels right. Playing at the Grand Opening of a corparation chain store kinda misses the point.

Jazz in a martini bar with oak and brass would probably go over well.

Jambands/Psychedelic - During summer months I can't imagine anywhere but outside in a peaceful setting. Rain or shine. The music is the air, the magic of a field full of nature loving hippie freaks with room to spin, dance with the moon shining high. Add a bonfire and hand drums and acoustic guitars and the outdoor setting is perfect.

Anyway, it's amazing that the 12 notes in music can create so many styles for any type of person to enjoy. Wherever you play, Rock on and make those people dance.

completely nailed thepefect metal atmosphere. rebellion at its finest indeed....

[songsmith]

It's always been interesting to me how much the element of the setting brings the music together.


Bluegrass on a porch, in a barn or country setting makes the all acoustic instruments seems as natural as the music itself. On a corner in NYC just wouldn't seem that fitting to me.

The porch at The Lorelei cottage is probably my favorite. The acoustics are so good, we actually begged to let Mama Corn record there. We can play un-mic'ed at normal volume, and you can hear us clearly and easily all the way down almost to the river.--->JMS

[RamRod 1]

Played this weekend for the new Patton Library grand opening on a sidewalk in the sun for 2 hours. Bass neck very sticky. I even resorted to spraying on "Finger Ease".

[songsmith]

I have a love/hate relationship with Finger-Ease... it helps unstick the digits, but I always wind up wiping the sweat from my eyes, and blinding myself onstage.--->JMS

[bsaller]

I have a love/hate relationship with Finger-Ease... it helps unstick the digits, but I always wind up wiping the sweat from my eyes, and blinding myself onstage.--->JMS

Good point! You can always use it to fend off over zealous female admirers! Now I know why Rick uses it!

[moxham123]

We were supposed to play outside today for a pool party but it was cancelled due to the impending thunderstorms to arrive today. Lightning and swimming don't mix very well along with playing electrical instruments next to a huge pool of water.

[Banned]

i might be in the minority, but I HATE PLAYING OUTSIDE. the vibe is all wrong, i hate the sun, and there is zero intimacy with the crowd. i think Ozzfest blows; i'd rather see a band play the Smiling Moose or Aldo's any day....

Ditto