multi-band bills - mix or match?

it's nice when radically different lineups work but i feel like usually they don't

people just end up watching the band they like then drinking or leaving or hiding while the other bands play

yeah, that's what i figure. but at least they pay to get in!

It's all about what the crowd wants from the show. If they spend all their energy in a heavy show, you can end lighter. But you can't end heavy if everyone has been chilling out all night, or everyone is just going to get up and leave.

I always far more enjoyed playing shows where the bands were compatible, at least in terms of genre or aesthetic. They don't have to be identical, but it's nice if there's some kind of kinship or unifying theme.

However, I've been on too many bills where the unifying theme was "bands with girls in" - as if one's gender is some kind of genre. That really tends not to work.

I think varied bills only really work if the energy level rises during the evening. It's generally fine to have a solo artist supporting a larger band, but often doesn't work out the other way around. (But often band orders are decided by politics or popularity, rather than what actually works.)

yep, either complementary genre or aesthetic, or just where the bands are good friends. worst one evah was being supported by a teenage metal band playing their first gig. Pretty much their entire secondary school was in attendance, all of whom fucked off after their gig and left us playing to the proverbial one man and his dog.

should rephrase. they fucked off during our first couple of songs, which made it even more disheartening.

i will report back on these upcoming mismatched bills

should rephrase. they fucked off during our first couple of songs, which made it even more disheartening.

Story of my life!

Not really, but it sure was this one night in San Diego, among others. I tried so hard to ramp things up and keep people interested that I broke three strings that night. I'm a little more laissez-faire these days.

I think we just kinda gave up and started dicking around speeding up and slowing down like the Vib Ribbon soundtrack.

Yeah I can relate to this going all wrong. I used to (sometime still do) play with this out/drone/fucked-up-clatter/musique concrete/whatever band, which around rural Minnesota means no simpatico bands or crowds to play with/to so it was always this feeling of sticking out like a sore, pretentious thumb, people hating it, regarding us as some...not really a threat, but almost...just...gahhh! The times where the bands and crowd were there for what we were doing were very, very refreshing.

ugh, i thought doing a show with two different bands that i'm in on the same bill would make things easier. instead i'm apparently been nominated to go back and forth negotiating set and start times. i feel like a u.n. translator or something.

also this way i can not get paid twice in one night!