Backyard Gigs

Ah! Those don't quite get old.

What are backyard gigs? Simply 'concerts' held at a house, and though its name implies 'backyard' it may well be hosted in a garage, or who knows, a front yard too.

What are the advantages?

1. If you host the event, then you get to pick who plays, and who doesn't. If you're not hosting, you still know which bands or artists will be part of the event, and you get to choose whether to ask to be part of it, or not.

2. One of the biggest advantages would be that you get to expose yourself locally and get to meet the local people. Like I've said before, I'm not in a band to play for myself. I play for others. From the best friend who shows up to a total stranger that comes to a show; they are as important. By playing backyard gigs, it helps us remind them that. We're not here for us, we're here for you type of deal. So come on down at our house and let's have a good time.

3. You get to hang out after the show. Unlike at venues, where you are rushed in on stage to play, then rushed out to let the other bands play, you are in a more relaxed setting, where you get to put instruments aside if needed, and just hang out with everyone afterwards. Mingle time!

4. My most favorite: cost free! Most venues nowadays have a "pay to play" policy. You have to sell a number of tickets in order to play there; it usually translates into bands having to pay out of their pockets, for it is a difficult task to sell the amount of tickets required. And if you're hosting, you may choose to charge, which creates income.

What are the disadvantages?

1. Regulation. Who comes to your show? Who is responsible if something goes wrong? If you host an event, those questions are important to be answered. And even if you're not hosting, once something goes wrong and you're there, you never know what can happen.

2. Police. Ah yes! Let's not forget about them. If you're lucky enough to have neighbors that don't complain about the 'noise,' it might not be the case if there is underage drinkers at the event.

3. You have to provide your own live sound. If you don't have mics, and speakers to 'amplify' the musical experience, it might not be so attractive to the audience. That's why I have personally invested in a lot of 'live sound' equipment, which I will talk about in detail in future blogs. That's definitely one of the keys to our 'backyard gig' mini success; the live experience for the audience is good.