I figured I’d start off with this topic, because I posted a status about it and a lot of people seemed to agree which made me happy, but there’s still a lot of people out there who disagree, and I hope to change a few minds.
For those of you who don’t know, at local shows a lot of people sneak in and don’t pay. I just don’t understand what makes them special. Everyone else there has paid 8 or 10 bucks, for 5 hours of live entertainment, and you can’t? You’ll spend 8 bucks on a quick bite to eat, or 11 bucks to go to a 90 minute movie, but when it comes to supporting the scene, nope, too cheap.
It’s not just the fact that it’s only a few bucks, but the fact that all these bands put so much of their time and effort into their set list, getting to the venue, setting up, and performing, and you’re going to practically steal from them. If you like the band enough to drive out to the show, why wouldn’t you support them by helping them get money for their hard work.
It seems like people don’t realize how much work goes into every show, because they just show up and it’s a fun time. But as promoters and sound guys we are there hours before and after setting up and cleaning up. All the money that comes through the doors goes to the band and venue. The venue is a fixed price, and typically bands are too, but know the less people that pay, the less bands get paid. On the rare occasion we have alittle extra, we put it towards paying off sound equipment.
I just hope a person or two reads this and next time pays for the show without even thinking about sneaking in.
