Support band wants to take our headline spot?

[Killing Floor]

For all you know the Beijing adult hockey / live music community might like your band better. You’re a musician. You know your enjoyment of live music is not related to whether you know a guy in the band. Don’t be a pushover.

 

[MarkieMark]

In my experience, what matters most is earning the next gig.
And FWIW, having been there/done that- the big draw on the biggest local gig opportunity I ever was personally included in thoroughly trashed the place, and neither band was welcome back.
Kids.

I contend that the "exposure" potential is proportional to the performance.
Making it a competition for "headline" gig is a loser proposition for all.
And I also agree its not up to the bands themselves.

 

[4pickupguy]

Long game this. Are you wanting the ‘prestige’ of being the headliner or do you want to grow your audience? If I thought my band was better than theirs I would insist on opening because both crowds will be there. Walk away with their audience. If they suck and play first they will chase away both crowds and you will play to nobody but your die hard fans.

 

[telleutelleme]

A very polite no. You are building your band also and headlining is important.

 

[Fendereedo]

If you go out playing like the MC5, and trash your instruments at the finale, you'll soon win the audience over . And ice hockey, really?

 

[JeffBlue]

That would be a resounding NO!

 

[David Barnett]

Does changing the band order change the money in any way?

If the money is the same, I'd be inclined to let the other band have their way. If nothing else they'll owe you a favor.

 

[teletail]

Funny how so many people give advice without knowing most of the facts.

First, quit worrying about who’s going to be the big swinging Richard.

Second, do you play the same type of music? Will their crowd stay for you?

Third, what are the time slots? If you don’t start until 11:00, are your fans going to come out that late? Will their fans get there at 9:00 and stay all night? How many people will you lose just because it’s going to take 30-45 minutes to switch bands. I’ve yet to play a multi band gig where the band before me was in a hurry to get off stage.

Let me tell you, no matter what anyone says, if you play second and all of their fans leave, all the club owner is going to see is you driving half (or more) of the audience out of his club.

My previous band had more than one gig where we started so late that half the audience was gone. We also had a gig where the opening act drove half the audience away.

Moral of the story - never think with your small head. Think about what’s best for the band, not your ego.

 

[aFewGoodTaters]

Funny how so many people give advice without knowing most of the facts.

First, quit worrying about who’s going to be the big swinging Richard.

Second, do you play the same type of music? Will their crowd stay for you?

Third, what are the time slots? If you don’t start until 11:00, are your fans going to come out that late? Will their fans get there at 9:00 and stay all night? How many people will you lose just because it’s going to take 30-45 minutes to switch bands. I’ve yet to play a multi band gig where the band before me was in a hurry to get off stage.

Let me tell you, no matter what anyone says, if you play second and all of their fans leave, all the club owner is going to see is you driving half (or more) of the audience out of his club.

My previous band had more than one gig where we started so late that half the audience was gone. We also had a gig where the opening act drove half the audience away.

Moral of the story - never think with your small head. Think about what’s best for the band, not your ego.

^^^ This...all day long.

There is a massive difference between 'headlining' and simply playing a later time slot on a multi-band night. Headlining implies your band is the draw, the main reason for the show in the first place. You've made a name for yourself, and you bring a crowd. The venue is banking on your band bringing the majority of people through the door, and they are going to stay all night drinking because your band is playing late into the night. Your band is making the majority, if not all the money for the gig. If other bands are on the gig playing before you, they are there to support you. They are making little to no money, and are doing so to gain exposure to your crowd.

It is very rare that a new band is in a position to be a headliner. It's much more common to be slotted into a time on a 'new band night' or multi-band night. If you're playing last on one of these nights, it doesn't mean you are the draw, it quite literally means only that you are playing last. And in my experience, being last on these types of gigs is not always the best option.

 

[Controller]

If you let the other band headline you are telling the venue owner that you don't honor contract terms and that you don't think you are up to headlining but the other band is. Is that a message you want to send?

 

[MTPoteet]

The correct decision. A band with such a stupid name is clearly going nowhere.

Did The Cars ever open for them? Or was that an entirely different band?
The Police Cars?

 

[dougbgt6]

It's up to the venue who headlines, which also is your get out with the other band.

Doug

 

[MTPoteet]

Funny how so many people give advice without knowing most of the facts.

First, quit worrying about who’s going to be the big swinging Richard.

Second, do you play the same type of music? Will their crowd stay for you?

Third, what are the time slots? If you don’t start until 11:00, are your fans going to come out that late? Will their fans get there at 9:00 and stay all night? How many people will you lose just because it’s going to take 30-45 minutes to switch bands. I’ve yet to play a multi band gig where the band before me was in a hurry to get off stage.

Let me tell you, no matter what anyone says, if you play second and all of their fans leave, all the club owner is going to see is you driving half (or more) of the audience out of his club.

My previous band had more than one gig where we started so late that half the audience was gone. We also had a gig where the opening act drove half the audience away.

Moral of the story - never think with your small head. Think about what’s best for the band, not your ego.

Just curious, how do you know very few here know the facts about booking gigs.

The last gig I played was with The Dick Ramada Calvalcade Of Stars, three bands and a comedian.
We all used the same back line of equipment(Dick Ramada's), wait time between the bands was never more than 10 minutes, most times less.

 

[MTPoteet]

We did a gig/audition in the mid 70's, back then, at least around here they would invite you to play a set for an audition.
We played all of the top 40 stuff of the time, Bad Co., Kiss, Linda Rondstat, Foghat,Orleans, Heart etc., if it was on the radio, we played it. We were a new band, this may have been our first time out.

We played our set and decided to hang out for the next band to audition. They blew us out of the water in my opinion.
We got the gig.

 

[johnny k]

If your band open and you don't agree with that, i suggest pulling a GG Allin on the crowd.

 

[KokoTele]

You have made a business deal with a concert promoter, so changing the deal requires a conversation with them. Maybe there is some advantage to your band to switch spots, maybe not. None of us can possibly tell from our keyboards. Talk to the promoter. If they think you're going to be the bigger draw and are promoting you as a headliner, they may not want to switch positions anyway.

If there's no advantage to you, then do not agree to switch.

FWIW, bands almost always overestimate how many people they will draw.

 

[CharlieO]

You have made a business deal with a concert promoter, so changing the deal requires a conversation with them. Maybe there is some advantage to your band to switch spots, maybe not. None of us can possibly tell from our keyboards. Talk to the promoter. If they think you're going to be the bigger draw and are promoting you as a headliner, they may not want to switch positions anyway.

If there's no advantage to you, then do not agree to switch.

FWIW, bands almost always overestimate how many people they will draw.

100 percent correct. I will add, however, that is up to the other band to have the conversation with the promoter/venue owner. There is a risk that the promoter will not be happy with the idea, and you would not want them to have a negative feelings toward your band before you even play your first gig.

If the promoter/venue owner contacts you and asks if you will make the switch, you absolutely should do it without objecting. If you show that you are willing to cooperate, that will go a long way toward getting your next booking.

 

[ce24]

Hard pass!!!!

 

[Red Ryder]

Play all of your instruments in Chinese and sing in Chinese too.

 

[Geo]

There can be benefits in being the opening act especially if your band is very good.