What is it about venues in Dublin ........ ?

Rigsby

............... that they always have to start late ? They usually say "doors open at 9.00pm" which they do, but you usually end up waiting around till almost 10.00 pm till the band come on. You might argue that people would not come in so early. I say they would if they knew it was starting at 9.00 sharp. The majority of people turn up on time for the theatre, as they know they'll have missed out if they dont. Weekends are different as people have more spare time then. I've been to some great gigs in Europe where the doors open at 8.30 pm and the band come on at 9.00 sharp. So why cant we do it here, especially on week days when not everyone wants to stay out till after 1.00 am, yet don't want to miss a good gig

In Greedy Ants

Pet hate of mine. Next band I'm in I wanna put SET STARTS 9PM SHARP (for example) on the flyers. Then stand on stage watching the clock, at 9 on the dot shout 1,2,3,4 and hit the first chord and go all the way through til the end. We'd get a band name if we couldn't keep up our end of the bargain tho.

Last barbeque I had I advertised as 8pm, first people came at 9.30, and kept coming in dribs and drabs til about 12, tis the Irish way I suppose

Rigsby

In Greedy Ants wrote: »

tis the Irish way I suppose

I agree 100%. Though as I said earlier, if they knew that their favourite band was starting at 9.00 sharp I'd say they 'd be there at 9.00.

If all bands did this for a couple of weeks the message would soon be recieved.

I know in my heart and soul that this wont happen.......... but no harm in hoping.

frobisher

When I put on gigs I have to tell people 8.30 in the hope they'll be there by 9.30.

Is it any different outside of Dublin?

Rigsby

frobisher wrote: »

When I put on gigs I have to tell people 8.30 in the hope they'll be there by 9.30.

Is it any different outside of Dublin?

Not really. I've been to some gigs outside of Dublin and it was the same. Like I said earlier, if you said "doors open 8.30 : band on 9.00 sharp" and stuck to your guns, the message would soon filter through. Then if people arrived at 9.30 or 9.45 to find the gig in full swing, they would remember it next time. Yes, the band would be playing to a less than half full house for the first hour or so. Things would be awkward for the first couple of weeks, 'till people realised that when you say 9.00 sharp, you mean it.

BostonB

Last gig I was at, doors open at 10, the warm up band started at 11, the main band started at 12. I thought that was a bit nuts.

Savman

In reality this needs to start from the top down, dunno how many poxy gigs I been to in The Point where doors were marked for 6/7pm and the headliner strolls on sometime around half 9.

It is an oirish thing to be late for absolutely every possible engagement and musicians are a similar breed. So oirish muso's are fooked

Rigsby

Savman wrote: »

In reality this needs to start from the top down, dunno how many poxy gigs I been to in The Point where doors were marked for 6/7pm and the headliner strolls on sometime around half 9.

It is an oirish thing to be late for absolutely every possible engagement and musicians are a similar breed. So oirish muso's are fooked

Agreed !! It will remain this way 'till promoters and venue owners decide to do something about it by sticking to their guns and starting at the time stated. Like the smoking ban, it will seem strange for a while and some people will whinge, but within a short time it will become the norm.

I agree it's an Irish thing, but how come when we go to the theatre, people arrive on time It's because if your not in your seat by 8.00 pm you miss the first half of the play. Surely it's not rocket science to apply this to gigs. :rolleyes:

yevveh

I have to do the same as Frobisher. Given that public transport isn't the best I rarely expect people to show up on time. I don't really mind when gigs go on later than planned, I can survive with a bit less sleep for a great gig.

Savman

I dunno man, its just "rock n roll"

I was involved in a theatre production a few years ago, people do stick to the stated time but there's always a few stragglers.

Also, maybe it's a public order thing of getting 8000 people in safely.

Syphor

It's not an Irish thing, it’s a health and safety matter, they open doors at least an hour before hand in order to eliminate/avoid long ques from outside their doors, that their legally responsible for, insurance wise. And that's why doors open well before the band takes the stage.

It’s an Irish thing to makes claims for anything possible, including hurting one's self while waiting to enter a premises for a gig.

Rigsby

Syphor wrote: »

It's not an Irish thing, it’s a health and safety matter, they open doors at least an hour before hand in order to eliminate/avoid long ques from outside their doors, that their legally responsible for, insurance wise. And that's why doors open well before the band takes the stage.

It’s an Irish thing to makes claims for anything possible, including hurting one's self while waiting to enter a premises for a gig.

I accept what you are saying, but I'm not talking major concerts here like the Point and Croke Park. I'm talking about small pub venues like the Bleu Note and JJ Smyths. Never any "long queues " there

Also, I've been at some major concerts where the place has been full for over an hour before even the support band comes on. :mad:

I go back to my theatre analogy. They have long queues at times, but always start on time, with the majority of the audience present (yes, you'll always have stragglers )