Show Etiquette

One of the groups I play with recently headlined at the Last Day Saloon. The way this venue is setup, all acts need to arrive early for load-in. There is only one stage, so each group needs to setup their equipment off stage in such a way that the promoter and sound crew can progressively cycle the bands on and off.

Being the headliner and with two other opening acts, we naturally had to be there early so as to the be the first group to load-in. This then meant that we, along with our entourages, needed to sit through the two opening acts. This is something we would have done anyways. It's just the way things are done -- you always support the other bands you play with. You loudly applaud each song (even if you don't like the music). You ask all your fans that are coming to see you to also stick around and support the other acts. These things are just basic courtesy.

Unfortunately 'courtesy' was not part of the openers dialect. I'd never before seen such an unprofessional display. These guys just rolled in right before curtain time, took the stage, played their tunes and then split. Without a word.

I often hear people complaining about the fact that there no longer is a strong live music scene here in the North Bay. Heck I've even been guilty of bemoaning this myself. But how can we as musicians expect people to support and back us if we don't first do the same to each other? Common courtesy can really go a long way.