Gigs: indoor or outdoor?

[Badside]

Which do you prefer? Outdoor or indoor gigs?

Each summer we're playing more and more gigs and I'm starting to like them a lot! It usually implies a larger stage, a larger crowd, a larger PA and it finishes earlier (I hate going to be at 5 am). This last friday we played one in a festival and it was just an amazing blast! The stage was huge and we were all wireless, we even signed autographs (which always amazes me considering we're a cover band!).

However there is the constant weather threat! We were lucky for this one, but weren't so lucky for our Canada Day gig: it was under a huge tent cause they were forcasting thunderstorms during the afternoon. Unfortunately, said storm produces winds stronger than the tent could handle and it collapsed, leaving our equipment exposed to the rain! That's the kind of shit that doesn't happen in a bar gig.

So, what do YOU prefer?

[fastplant]

Indoor, you don't have to worry about it raining or being too cold inside and having the show cancelled.

[worthyjoe]

I prefer indoor.

Outdoors can be fun but I hate having to worry about weather and for some reason I feel better singing indoors. I have no idea why.

[Badside]

Originally posted by worthyjoe
... for some reason I feel better singing indoors. I have no idea why.

Funny, to me it's the opposite cause outdoor you don't have to worry about cigarette smoke! (another reason I prefer outdoor, fresh air!)

[fastplant]

Originally posted by Hardtailed


Funny, to me it's the opposite cause outdoor you don't have to worry about cigarette smoke! (another reason I prefer outdoor, fresh air!)

There's no smoking in bars around here, thank god.

[Badside]

Originally posted by fastplant


There's no smoking in bars around here, thank god.

You are one lucky fella!

[Meatball Fulton]

Large outdoor festival gigs where the backline is supplied and there are tons of people in the audience are great fun when the weather cooperates.

If I could get those all year long I wouldn't complain :cool:

[Brian Krashpad]

I like outdoor gigs a lot.

But I live in Florida. And not within an hour of either coastline.

I'll take indoor, so long as the A/C is working.

BK

[worthyjoe]

Originally posted by Hardtailed


Funny, to me it's the opposite cause outdoor you don't have to worry about cigarette smoke! (another reason I prefer outdoor, fresh air!)

Yup. No smoking in MA or CT bars so I'm all set. It's crazy. I used to be horse for a whole day following shows and I thought it was all me. Ever since the smoking ban I feel great the next day.

Something about the weather/wind makes me not feel as good singing. It might be all mental. I don't know.

[LateGreats]

Originally posted by worthyjoe


Yup. No smoking in MA or CT bars so I'm all set. It's crazy. I used to be horse for a whole day following shows and I thought it was all me. Ever since the smoking ban I feel great the next day.

Something about the weather/wind makes me not feel as good singing. It might be all mental. I don't know.

I'm glad all my gear doesn't smell like a smoke shop anymore. As a singer, it really sucks when you can see the smoke hanging in the room and know you'll have no voice by the end of the night.

I prefer indoor, since I get sunburn easily.

[orfalot]

Inside for sure, too much weather around here and some of the outdoor gigs/festivals have partial pay clauses. We just like to set up our schedule at the first of the year and know we'll stay dry indoors. Fresh on my mind is this past Friday night when the bar owner insisted we play on the deck, 2 songs in, it started raining. We were able to get the equipment inside but still it was a pain in the ass.

[Thundercranium]

I find playing outdoors requires more time to settle in with the sound. You need a much more precise monitor mix, because you're not likely to get any "room".

That being said, I'm sure if I played more outdoor gigs I'd get used to it!

[Mr. Botch]

One bad thing about outdoor gigs, I recently learned, is if you're just downwind of the Porta-Johns on a very hot day. UGH!

[daddymack]

As long as some shelter from the sun is provided, I will take an outdoor festival gig every time.
No stoopid drunks, no inane requests, a soundman, security, dressing rooms, free food, etc.
Plus as Hardtailed noted, you don't have to stay out all night.
Usually, you don't get 'smokey'...although now in LA/Socal, tha trarely happens anymore. Although we were down wind from a barbecue pit at one gig two years ago...I could smell baby back ribs all the way home....;)

[Cortfan]

I vote indoor right now, as our July 3rd gig was outdoors, and the temp hovered around 95 all night. I hate to dodge thunderstorms, and I 'm not real crazy about tons of second hand smoke, either. I wish our bars were non-smoking.

[JBJ]

outdoors is a nice change.

we used to do one every june and august. the june one was alot bigger, massive stage like something you'd get at a proper music festival, much more people etc... but you could have more fun in the august one and the bar there was distrubingly cheap :)

[Terry Allan Hall]

I guess I like both options about equally. :)

[splatbass]

Depends on which pays more...:D

Seriously though, outdoor gigs for me tend to pay better, we generally only have to play 1 hour, and usually they supply the PA/soundman. I'll have to say outdoor.

I have two outdoor gigs this weekend. Rock band today, country band tomorrow.