| Music Business 13: Festival Gigs By Roy Vogt Bass Instructor, Belmont University |
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Summer's here and the time is right for playing Outdoor Music Festivals. Over the 20+ years that I've been doing this sort of gig (including last night's gig at the Riverbend Festival in Chattanooga) I've found out what works and, more importantly, what doesn't in this unique venue.
Yesterday's gig was no exception: An hour and fifteen minute concert set with Nashville Jazz Artist Jerry Tachoir and The Group Tachoir on the AmSouth Stage. I've got several suggestions for bassists to get through this sort of gig with the minimum of stress:
Be on time: a no-brainer, but especially if you have a soundcheck. That may be the only time you have to work with the FOH (front of House) and monitor engineers so that they have an idea of how your band works. In the case of Jerry's band, with vibes, MIDI mallet controller, keys, vocals, electric and upright bass, and drums it's essential.
Keep it simple: I left the pedalboard and the multi-effects behind. I didn't need them for the gig, and it was one less thing for me to take and to generate random electronic hum and buzz onstage. If the festival has a decent house bass amp I'll generally go with it. If I'm on my own, I generally take the smallest rig that will do the job and use the PA to project my sound. Bear in mind, too, that you may have to schlep whatever you bring in several blocks. I recommend bringing a cart and bungee cables-I've even carried my basses in that way before. Fortunately, last nights festival had an ATV to move gear in and out, but 2 gig bags, a cord bag, music stand and bass stand all fit easily in one trip with the drummer's cymbals, snare, and other stuff.
Be flexible: I was playing 2 electric 6 strings (fretted and fretless) and my electric upright on this gig. Fortunately the house amp had a clean DI so I just set the louder basses through the padded imput and the quieter EUB through the high gain input.
Be ready to network: Bring CDs (for sale and giveaways) and business cards. I ran into Al Dimeola and his band and courtesy of my friend Ernie Adams, who plays drums for Al, they had a copy of my CD to enjoy while driving after the gig to Atlanta. Maybe the next time Al needs a bassist, he'll remember the CD….You never know.
Peace and Low Notes,
Roy C. Vogt
Nashville Bassist
Bass Instructor, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
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