Hey TB,
Been light on posting gig reports over the last year or so - lockdowns in NZ meant there was a few lean months towards end of last year, and when they came back (and I'm busier than I've ever been) they've all been private functions - corporates, weddings, parties so I keep the photos to a minimum.
But - here's a public gig (with a professional photographer) for a new to me band - and it was off the charts! So, in the spirit of @BassCliff here's a gig report...that has been a year in the making
Quick backstory - this is arguably one of my country's best 80s bands - been going 7+ years. Last year the bass player (who lives in another city) felt it was time to cut back on travel, and so I got invited to audition. But, the audition was set for 17 Aug 2021 - and at 4pm that day the government announced the country was going into a covid lockdown that night - which lasted for about 4 months - I didn't get to try out. During that time the guitarist and female singer thought it was also time to move on, so the band was left with just the drummer (BL) and male vocalist.
So, around May this year they started auditions to put the band back together. I got the nod, along with the guitarist that is in my main trio, and not one, but two female singers that I put forward for auditions (and will have appeared in some of my gig reports on TB over the years).
We booked a show, everyone did a heap of individual practice, had 3 rehearsals and then we were on stage to 300+ people.
Pictures or it didn't happen I hear you say??
Rolled up to the venue
Of course, we weren't playing the stadium (yet) - just the venue next door! Bonus is that we could drive right up to load in
The setup dance was pretty straightforward - reasonably tight stage, with a great sound system and excellent sound guy (thanks John!). Andrew is the drummer and band leader - he was in a pretty well known band here in NZ through the 90's - fantastic drummer and great musician - he builds all the synth / backing tracks from scratch - some tracks have up to 40 parts - and sound incredibly authentic.
Sarah and Kim (who I've played with in various bands before were excited to be there together - and man, there's something about two female vocalists working together that just works!
Adam (vocals) doing his best Terminator impression (and note the commitment to the gig with the hair), while Jarrad (guitar) is not so sure...
Jarrad has some very nice instruments - and knows how to use them!
Adam is also a very good guitarist - though he only plays guitar for one song tonight
Drum kit set up and being mic'ed
And the bass player's trusty gear - Elrick and Ibanez basses, Bergantino IP112ER/EX112ER stack fed by an HX Stomp XL. Using my Sennheiser G4 wireless with 64Audio IEMs, and a Boss WL20L for wireless instrument - worked a treat! Note the fire extinguisher in case the bassist set the place alight (or the drummer spontaneously combusted??)!
Good sized venue (long and deep with a nice bar)
Setup dance done - lighting guy (Glenn) did a great job
Retire to the green room to get costumed up and wait for showtime. Well, the drummer and I went out into the city and got some beef noodles for dinner - but I forgot to take a picture (sorry @dbase )
Some band and crowd photos to come in the next post...
Been light on posting gig reports over the last year or so - lockdowns in NZ meant there was a few lean months towards end of last year, and when they came back (and I'm busier than I've ever been) they've all been private functions - corporates, weddings, parties so I keep the photos to a minimum.
But - here's a public gig (with a professional photographer) for a new to me band - and it was off the charts! So, in the spirit of @BassCliff here's a gig report...that has been a year in the making
Quick backstory - this is arguably one of my country's best 80s bands - been going 7+ years. Last year the bass player (who lives in another city) felt it was time to cut back on travel, and so I got invited to audition. But, the audition was set for 17 Aug 2021 - and at 4pm that day the government announced the country was going into a covid lockdown that night - which lasted for about 4 months - I didn't get to try out. During that time the guitarist and female singer thought it was also time to move on, so the band was left with just the drummer (BL) and male vocalist.
So, around May this year they started auditions to put the band back together. I got the nod, along with the guitarist that is in my main trio, and not one, but two female singers that I put forward for auditions (and will have appeared in some of my gig reports on TB over the years).
We booked a show, everyone did a heap of individual practice, had 3 rehearsals and then we were on stage to 300+ people.
Pictures or it didn't happen I hear you say??
Rolled up to the venue
Of course, we weren't playing the stadium (yet) - just the venue next door! Bonus is that we could drive right up to load in
The setup dance was pretty straightforward - reasonably tight stage, with a great sound system and excellent sound guy (thanks John!). Andrew is the drummer and band leader - he was in a pretty well known band here in NZ through the 90's - fantastic drummer and great musician - he builds all the synth / backing tracks from scratch - some tracks have up to 40 parts - and sound incredibly authentic.
Sarah and Kim (who I've played with in various bands before were excited to be there together - and man, there's something about two female vocalists working together that just works!
Adam (vocals) doing his best Terminator impression (and note the commitment to the gig with the hair), while Jarrad (guitar) is not so sure...
Jarrad has some very nice instruments - and knows how to use them!
Adam is also a very good guitarist - though he only plays guitar for one song tonight
Drum kit set up and being mic'ed
And the bass player's trusty gear - Elrick and Ibanez basses, Bergantino IP112ER/EX112ER stack fed by an HX Stomp XL. Using my Sennheiser G4 wireless with 64Audio IEMs, and a Boss WL20L for wireless instrument - worked a treat! Note the fire extinguisher in case the bassist set the place alight (or the drummer spontaneously combusted??)!
Good sized venue (long and deep with a nice bar)
Setup dance done - lighting guy (Glenn) did a great job
Retire to the green room to get costumed up and wait for showtime. Well, the drummer and I went out into the city and got some beef noodles for dinner - but I forgot to take a picture (sorry @dbase )
Some band and crowd photos to come in the next post...
