JUST recently, a video surfaced online and gathered much (negative) attention as it showed a band playing for a school production. Well, it wasn’t the band that made the video controversial, but the way the emcee (through voice over) cut the band during the bridge section of its song, not allowing the band to continue on (for reasons currently not known).
There are many possibilities and scenarios that could very well provide a rich and more detailed back story on what is seen in the short video uploaded. Because, in fairness to some productions, some bands are hardheaded. Case in point: Some groups, even if they are told to play only two songs (due to time constraints) play three anyway, and the cycle is repeated with every band on the bill because, fairness.
However, that last sentence makes mention of the challenge of “time constraints”—which actually means the event organizer/producer should make sure that the program goes on without a hitch. So, it would be safe to presume that the organizers should at least play the role of hospitable and accommodating hosts.
Here are a few reminders, tips some young, school organizers might want to consider to make sure the program featuring local musicians flows as smoothly as possible.
Volume. Some organizers think this way: The more bands, DJs, they put on the bill, the more people will show up, thus, more fun. Playing the numbers game is tempting but it is not always the case that it reels in more audience members. The old saying rings true: Quality over quantity. Sometimes, one good headliner, with three supporting acts, and three other warm-up acts, is good enough for one fun program.
Allowance. Some organizers think everything will fall into place. When it comes to putting up a program that includes other variables such as invited guests, nothing can be further from the truth. It pays to be a pessimist these times, reflecting a bit on Murphy’s Law and making sure to make some room for delays. For a band to play three songs, the songs themselves can fit around 15 minutes. But that doesn’t mean 20 minutes for the set is good. The band still has to set up its instruments, do a little sound check, may have some spiels in between songs, and finally, set down its instruments after the set. So for three songs that run for 15 minutes, another 15, rounding it to 30 minutes, is a safe set time.
Genre. Not all music are created equally. Pop songs can run from three to four minutes; some hard rock to metal tracks can run from four to five minutes. If the organizers are inviting a progressive metal band, expect its songs to run from six to seven minutes. So when one tells a pop rock band to prepare three songs, and then tells a progressive metal band to prepare three songs, the former might have a total performance time of 12 minutes while the latter clocks in at around 20 minutes.
Backstage. The back end is as important as the front end. As the program director is busy making sure the stage is looking good, there must be a manager behind the scenes who is making sure the next band is already on-site an hour or two before its set. If some bands come late, it is the organizers’ call whether to cut them from the bill (this is when memorandums of agreement come in handy), or to make some set time switches with other bands. Organizers can only do so much, and the performers themselves need to contribute their part for a flawless program.
Reality. Some organizers think that because it says the program starts at 6 p.m. on the poster, people will be there at 6 p.m. This seldom happens for music events. Usually, there is a grace period of about an hour. But then comes the tricky part. Some audiences know that the event time announced is just a bluff. So instead of 6 p.m., they come at around 9 p.m. So, organizers need to be in touch with reality. If you want to end by midnight, and people will start coming by 8 p.m., what is it that one needs to do? One can start with a “pre-program” to make sure the audience is already at the venue by 6 p.m., or, play the two-hour bluff and gamble to start with or without people by 8 p.m. sharp.
Preparation is key. Some things for sure, cutting off the power supply or cutting off performances via voice over or an emcee on stage, are not only dated, but are some of the lazy ways in dealing with the flaws and inexperience in event organizing.