WIth the warm weather season approaching opportunities for amateur and
semiprofessional performers to strut their stuff at local festivals are in
abundance.  Often these festivals feature a regional or national act as the
headliner with the local amateurs and semipros early on the bill. 

Most amateur and semipro performers don't get a chance to work with an
organized stage crew that often.  either they expect too much from the crew or
don't know how to interact with them and
communication problems result. 

AS a professional I can tell you that I use the performances of these acts to
fine tune the  performance of the system to optimize everything for the
headlining performers later.  OFten these festivals are long hectic  work days
for me, as well as any other crew members.  IN the interest of making your
experience at these events a pleasant one, and helping the paid stage crew
folks as well here are some pointers that any amateur performer should pay
heed to when booking one of these engagements this summer. 

ADVANCE THE SHOW!  BE SURE AHEAD OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE EVENT ORGANIZERS AND
THEIR TECH PEOPLE WITH A STAGE PLOT AND AN INPUT LIST.  The stage plot doesn't
have to be a scale drawing, just a rough sketch of how you like to set up.
     THe input list is a list of all your instruments and vocals for purposes
of microphones needed and channels required. 
     THis is the time to find out how to get to the venue, where you should
park to unload etcetera. 

Prepare to set up elements you can backstage before yoursetup time. Minimize
elements of your show you have to set up onstage.  IF you use your own drum
kit have it assembled offstage.  SAme with keyboards on stands etcetera iff
possible. 

Be ready to pack everything away offstage after your set.    WHen your set is
over get your gear offstage then wipe instruments down and case them.  Don't
spend time onstage taking care of these tasks as the organizers and their
stage crew will want to be setting up the next act.

Bring spare strings and patch cables, plug bars if they're needed etc.  DOn't
expect the system provider to have a spare instrument cable etc.  IF you use
direct input boxes for keyboards bass etc. Bring those you normally use.  THe
system providers may or may not need them.  IF you bring them you'll be
covered. 

Be on time for setup and line check.  IF you've advanced the show properly you
should have no problem with this.  IF you run late you inconvenience others
and shortchange yourself.

Don't play over your allotted time.  It's rude, it's unprofessional and it
won't endear you to the festival organizers and the stage crew.  If you didn't
get everything in that you wanted to play either you were disorganized or late
getting started.  IF you start late, end on time. 

Don't expect to use elements you haven't rehearsed.  IF your singer wants to
play that left handed sewer flute solo rehearse it.  IF you haven't rehearsed
it then bring it out at your bar gigs, not in a festival setting or as a
supporting act. 

Groups such as choral groups, wind ensembles etc. may not be accustomed to
working with microphones.  This may be a necessity when performing at these
outdoor venues.  IF you're one of these performers don't handle the
microphones placed there to capture your performance, and don't move or
displace them.  IF they need to be moved let the sound crew handle it.  IF
placement of a
microphone is hindering your performance mention it to stage crew and let them
deal with solving the problem to everybody's
satisfaction. 

AFter the horrendous STation nightclub fire a few years ago many providers of
sound lighting and crew for these events are much more safety conscious than
in the past. 
Don't expect to use that instrument amplifier with the safety ground pin
removed.  IN the same vein, don't expect to show off your brilliant
pyrotechnic display unless you have all the I's dotted and t's crossed in the
safety department. 
Show service providers are still feeling the heat from that
incident, though some of us were cautious even before this tragedy. IF it did
nothing else it served as a wake up call to  service providers.  IF you took
the snips to that ground pin on that plug bar or piece of equipment in the
past better repair it before it arrives backstage at the festival.  IF not,
you'll probably be told it's not welcome. 

FInally, we can't address this topic  without discussing the semiprofessional
act who has their own sound person that works most jobs with them.  System
providers are aware that they'll encounter these folks at festivals and
similar events.  THey're also aware that skill levels are all over the map
from not really competent to expert.  HEre then are some hints for your usual
sound person that will help him or her to get off on the right foot with
system providers and crew. 

Your regular system operator might not be invited to take the controls at
festivals and benefits where a large system is provided by a hire company that
doesn't know you.   HOwever there are still ample opportunities for him or her
to help your set run more smoothly.  THough your system operator may not be
operating the system he or she can help with special effects cues and other
details.  IF you didn't bother to give the system operators a song list for
your performance your own system operator can help him or her with who is the
lead vocalist, who is featured with
instrumental solos etcetera.

Your sound tech can increase his or her chances of being the person with hands
on the controls if he or she acts in a professional manner.  IF your system
tech is fairly new at this here are some tips for him or her on interacting
with system providers and their crew.

As with most things appearance counts.  Be dressed professionally. THe usual
attire at band rehearsals and some of the club gigs you play might be your
ragged cut off shorts and a Metallica tee shirt. For this occasion be clean
and dress as you would for your day job. YOu're trying to impress a person who
is providing a system
possibly worth a hundred thousand dollars to let you drive it.  A professional
appearance is going to give a favorable first
impression. 
     SHow up with your band's stage plot and input list in hand. THough the
promoters may have received this information beforehand you shouldn't assume
that it's available to the crew.  IF you have this doccumentation in your
hands you'll be prepared, and the crew will appreciate it.  Introduce yourself
to the system operators. IF the system operator is the tech for the previous
act ask him if the system's tech crew are nearby.  IF so make sure you are
talking to the chief of the sound crew, introduce yourself, state your
business.  GIve him or her your band's stage plot, input  and song lists. 
Hopefully you made two copies of the stage plot so you can give the stage crew
one as well. 

Don't try too hard to impress.  During change over allow the regular system
tech to supervise setup and line check.  Comments such as "we usually use a
beta 52 on the kick drum," when the sound tech has placed a SEnnheiser 421
aren't going to endear you to him or her.  Unless you're a regionally or
nationally known act you're going to get the provider's standard setup in most
cases, unless they can accomodate you without too much difficulty.  Stand
back, make plenty of notes about which microphone is on which channel. 
     IF you've brought effects units you want to have patched for certain
channels such as vocalists or the snare drum be sure these are noted on your
set list.  Try to have such units already in a small rack with an easily
accessible patch panel to make
interconnection with the system easier. 
     SHowing up looking professional and with everything in order displays
professionalism.  Chances are good that the provider's regular system tech
will want to get things started, but after he or she is satisfied everything's
running along smoothly he'll turn the controls over to you and go get a soft
drink and maybe
something to eat while your band finishes.  THis gives him or her an
opportunity to listen to the system from other places than behind the console,
and this is often appreciated as well.  THe system tech can then make
adjustments based on this knowledge to optimize its performance as noted
earlier. 

Festivals and benefits are a great way to showcase your act. SOmetimes you'll
even get paid, especially true for festivals. Professionalism pays off here as
you'll impress the organizers and the stage crew.  Making brownie points with
the stage crew isn't an exercise in futility.  THese folks work long hard
hours to help the event run smoothly, and an act which is always a problem
because of unprofessional behavior might cost the event organizers more money
next time, or keep them from hiring the service providers they like. 
PRofessionalism pays off in getting you hired at other nearby venues where
live entertainment is featured as well.


Regards,
           Richard
---
 * Origin:  (1:116/901)