- I actually did the math, and there was a 23% increase in word count between the two versions.
- My wife will never let me live down the infamous tan line.
- I never toured with a second pair of shoes (but I wish I had on a few occasions).
- The section with crew interaction on festivals is something that needs to be remembered.
And now, without any more rambling on my part …
Festivals: Updated and New and Improved
As the first few festivals of the summer draw to a close, I think it is time for a look back to Post Number 7 (that’s a long time ago!) where I talked about Festival Life with a new and improved post featuring 23% new information! Let’s get on with the show, shall we?
GETTING AROUNDUnless you are actually Popstar X, you, as an individual, are not on the festival radar (nor do you want to be). If any problem arises (be it getting backstage, into catering, a secret bathroom for crew only, etc.) take a deep breath and stay calm. Security is doing the best job they can, and in their eyes, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are supposed/allowed to be somewhere, then there is no reason to scream or make an ass of yourself. A couple of calls on the radio and maybe a few minutes wait while the proper people are reached should handle it.
HYDRATION
Water, water, Gatorade, water, water.
Water, water, Gatorade, water, water.
Stay hydrated people! If you think you have had enough water, you haven’t. Have another. Even if you feel okay for the first day and the second day, by day three it could be too late, and as much as it pains me to say this, Mtn. Dew does not count as hydration.
FESTIVAL HAT
Sunburns and load-ins do not mix. A festival hat is not a baseball hat since those do not protect your ears or neck. A bandanna does not work either (for the same reason, plus it leaves a really terrible tan line on your forehead... Just ask my wife). You need a good floppy brimmed, outback style hat that covers your ears and neck.
Sunburns and load-ins do not mix. A festival hat is not a baseball hat since those do not protect your ears or neck. A bandanna does not work either (for the same reason, plus it leaves a really terrible tan line on your forehead... Just ask my wife). You need a good floppy brimmed, outback style hat that covers your ears and neck.
FOOD
There are a lot of variables in here. Say you’re doing a country music act: those typically hit the county and state fair circuit. The Great County Fair of East Hackensack (I don’t think that is a real fair) probably doesn’t have the best catering, if any at all. Sometimes it’s just go into the fair and find food, but some of the bigger festivals have great catering. It’s all kind of hit and miss. Best thing to do is make sure your bus, or whatever your habitat may be, is stocked with provisions for those days when catering isn’t, well…just be prepared. Story Time! There was a festival (that shall remain nameless) that had catering for the bands and touring crews, and the festival crew received meal passes for vendors (but we never had time to venture out there). So to make sure we had food, albeit morning, noon, night: there were boiled hot dogs. Yes, four days of super tasty boiled hot dogs. Good times!
There are a lot of variables in here. Say you’re doing a country music act: those typically hit the county and state fair circuit. The Great County Fair of East Hackensack (I don’t think that is a real fair) probably doesn’t have the best catering, if any at all. Sometimes it’s just go into the fair and find food, but some of the bigger festivals have great catering. It’s all kind of hit and miss. Best thing to do is make sure your bus, or whatever your habitat may be, is stocked with provisions for those days when catering isn’t, well…just be prepared. Story Time! There was a festival (that shall remain nameless) that had catering for the bands and touring crews, and the festival crew received meal passes for vendors (but we never had time to venture out there). So to make sure we had food, albeit morning, noon, night: there were boiled hot dogs. Yes, four days of super tasty boiled hot dogs. Good times!
SUNBLOCK
Once again, sunburns and load-in do not mix. Better to be safe than sorry. Put some on. All the cool kids are doing it!
Once again, sunburns and load-in do not mix. Better to be safe than sorry. Put some on. All the cool kids are doing it!
SHOES
You think it’s always sunny and nice? Hell no! It’s always good to have a second pair of shoes on the bus this time of year. Rain + Grassy Field = Mud. Wet muddy shoes are no fun, especially the day after when they are still wet. Two Pairs of Shoes = Happier Roadie.
You think it’s always sunny and nice? Hell no! It’s always good to have a second pair of shoes on the bus this time of year. Rain + Grassy Field = Mud. Wet muddy shoes are no fun, especially the day after when they are still wet. Two Pairs of Shoes = Happier Roadie.
GOLF CARTS
These are not toys.
These are not toys.
Say it with me, “These are not toys.”
Once more, please, “These Are Not Toys.”
If you sign out a golf cart, you are responsible for it. If you damage it, you won’t see the bill, but your company will… And they won’t like it.
PORCELAIN
Bathrooms, people! I was trying to be fancy about it.
Bathrooms, people! I was trying to be fancy about it.
Get used to port-a-potties. If you can find a proper bathroom somewhere, it is probably not the cleanest in the world, so listen to your body and be smart about food choices. Stomach issues in the middle of summer are not good (been there, done that. Makes for a long day).
The other part of this is the shower scenario: Many festivals do not have them, and if they do, again, not the cleanest in the world. Get a pair of shower shoes (read: flip flops). If you are lucky enough to have a shower on site, try and grab one midday. It is so nice to feel clean for those ten minutes before you get back outside and get gross again.
WEATHER
Be prepared to protect your gear: Trash bags for fixtures, visqueen and tarps for your racks. Most festivals provide these, but it always good to have your own just in case. DO NOT bury these items back on your truck after you load-in. Just because it is sunny at 8:00 a.m. does not mean it will be that way at 3:00 p.m.
Be prepared to protect your gear: Trash bags for fixtures, visqueen and tarps for your racks. Most festivals provide these, but it always good to have your own just in case. DO NOT bury these items back on your truck after you load-in. Just because it is sunny at 8:00 a.m. does not mean it will be that way at 3:00 p.m.
LONG DAYSSuck it up, Buttercup. From the headlining tour crew loading in at some crazy hour to the local production that is there dealing with overnights, to all the acts and their needs to the local crew that is just as tired and hot (and probably not getting any of the perks the tour crew has), festival days can be long and miserable.
Guess what? Sometimes that is the gig you get, and you need to do your best to make it a good one. Summers are for festivals and that isn’t changing any time soon, so you better get used to it.
CREW
This will be broken down into two sections. Festival Crew and Tour Crew (with local crew making guest appearances in both). I have been on both sides of this equation.
This will be broken down into two sections. Festival Crew and Tour Crew (with local crew making guest appearances in both). I have been on both sides of this equation.
- FESTIVAL CREW – If this is your first season, get comfy. Make it your own world, find your little place and set up your chair, hammock, what have you. That being said, be prepared to help the touring crews as needed. Hopefully they won’t be too difficult, but sometimes it will just be one of those days.
- Have as much as possible ready for the headlining act done the night before they get there. Be upfront early about anything they have asked for and you do not have. Most LDs will grumble for a second and then will get over it.
- Be ready with information about power (where it is, can they jump through your rack, etc.). If at all possible, have one or two DMX lines at FOH for the bands coming in (it is easier for all parties involved if a lighting snake does not have to be run out).
- On to Hazers: LD’s love to chase smoke (Beams are cool!). Putting a power drop at each corner of the stage for smoke, be it for your hazers or theirs, is a little thing that goes a long way.
- CREW INTERACTION - Joy. Those that have gigged with me know that some of this is “Do as I say, not as I do.” (I tried, I really did. The word gruff comes to mind. I paid for it a lot, too. So let’s learn from my mistakes.) Your local crew at a festival is key. Do your best to be courteous to them because they will be with you all week. If you piss them off Day 1, this will make the rest of the weekmuch tougher. As for the touring crew coming in, maybe they got rained on the last three shows straight. Maybe the last festival didn't run too smoothly. Who knows? Try your best in the morning to be helpful (not annoying) and be there to help make their day as smooth as possible. The key is working together. Stay calm, breathe, and try not to let the really angry dimmer guy get under your skin (he probably really doesn’t mean it).
- TOURING CREW – If this is your first season, hold on tight. Your rig is not going to fit on most stages. You will spend way too much time moving gear around for other acts. It’s just not a whole lot of fun, but no one ever said it was supposed to be. And remember, your festival crew is your ally for the day. Do your best to work with them; not have them work for you. Just like they don’t know the days you have had, you don’t know the days they have had. This also goes for the local crew. They have been at the same festival all week and are having the same week the festival crew is. If you walk on stage before the crew gets there and things aren’t as they should be, do not flip out. Just wait, and figure it out when they get there. Stay calm, breathe, and try not to be the angry dimmer guy.
I hope this helps everyone as we move into summer. Thank you again for taking the time to continue reading my posts. I love getting feedback and will do my best to respond (I’ve just caught up from some previous posts).
Until next time, “Bonnaroo has kind of become the granddaddy of all American festivals.” Michael Franti
Mark
And Until next time, “Oh, Dusty. In-famous is when you’re more than famous.” Ned Nederlander Three Amigos!
Mark
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