Live music in pubs
Discussion
This is one of those threads in which the OP reveals himself to be a middle-aged curmudgeon.
What are people's thoughts on live music in pubs?
Is it a Good Thing/Bad Thing?
In my case I'm talking about small town/village pubs, the kind of place that really wants to sell you food, and that you go in to to talk to people.
Reason I ask is that the two pubs in the middle of our little (pop 5,00 ish) town seem to have got in to an arms race as to who can have the most bands on at weekends (though admittedly the band names start to look quite familiar after a few weeks).
The odd thing is, most of the people I speak to say "Oh, let's give Pub X a miss, there's a band on".
Similarly, this weekend there was a beer & cider festival in the town hall. We went along and enjoyed it immensely until the music started, at which point a large proportion of the drinkers decamped outside. It seemed like a significant number of those inside that stayed were somehow connected to the bands...
I'd be interested to hear from people in the trade. Clearly it must be a profit-generator, but it doesn't feel like it to me. Is it literally that a half-decent band comes with its own hangers-on and generates income in the same way as something like a darts team would?
Last word to the Daily Mash, back from when it was funny:
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/sight-...
What are people's thoughts on live music in pubs?
Is it a Good Thing/Bad Thing?
In my case I'm talking about small town/village pubs, the kind of place that really wants to sell you food, and that you go in to to talk to people.
Reason I ask is that the two pubs in the middle of our little (pop 5,00 ish) town seem to have got in to an arms race as to who can have the most bands on at weekends (though admittedly the band names start to look quite familiar after a few weeks).
The odd thing is, most of the people I speak to say "Oh, let's give Pub X a miss, there's a band on".
Similarly, this weekend there was a beer & cider festival in the town hall. We went along and enjoyed it immensely until the music started, at which point a large proportion of the drinkers decamped outside. It seemed like a significant number of those inside that stayed were somehow connected to the bands...
I'd be interested to hear from people in the trade. Clearly it must be a profit-generator, but it doesn't feel like it to me. Is it literally that a half-decent band comes with its own hangers-on and generates income in the same way as something like a darts team would?
Last word to the Daily Mash, back from when it was funny:
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/sight-...
I'm sure we've done this before but obviously search doesn't help
I'm not a fan, our surrounding villages seem to be in the same arms race yours are and without exception the acts are woeful. You have the middle age guy singing to a backing track nodding and pointing with overly white teeth to the ladies. Then there's the 60 year old rockers like some kind of spinal tap parody playing what I can only describe as them dropping the guitar down the stairs and last but not least the pub singer aka Vic Reeves.
You'll have a few old ladies getting up and twirling each other like it's the 1950s but not something I want to hear.
I might be biased as I listen to house music but I will sit and listen to Pink Floyd or Stevie Wonder when I've had a few but these acts are simply awful.
You'll have a few old ladies getting up and twirling each other like it's the 1950s but not something I want to hear.
I might be biased as I listen to house music but I will sit and listen to Pink Floyd or Stevie Wonder when I've had a few but these acts are simply awful.
A lady I used work with had a son in one of these pub bands, played the sort of generic country rock/blues crap that attracts Gavin from marketing to dress up as a cowboy at the weekends. She would bang on about how great they were, and how they were playing all these locations and all their family would follow them around the local area to see them play and they'd get really good crowds.
One weekend they were playing nearby so, despite it not really being my thing, we decided to pop in and see what the fuss was about. Apparently it was not really a lot of other people's thing too
Beer garden and restaurant were packed, but the bar area around the band was virtually empty.
One weekend they were playing nearby so, despite it not really being my thing, we decided to pop in and see what the fuss was about. Apparently it was not really a lot of other people's thing too
Beer garden and restaurant were packed, but the bar area around the band was virtually empty.It's better than having a bloody TV on permanently, spewing out Sky News, or ITV, or Eurosport showing some obscure Australian rugby league match, which nobody at all is watching and is punctuated with extra loud sodding adverts every couple of minutes. When did this become the defualt in pubs and why, oh why, oh why? And why doesn't anyone (excpet me) moan about it? It's an utter bloddy imposition. OK, put it on when England (Scotland, Wales, or whatever country you happen to be in) are playing, or it's the Cup Final or something, but who the hell needs Emmerdale Blasted Farm or the bleeding rolling News chuntering away repeating itself endlessly in the pub? Eh?
Give me a live band any time, so long as they aren't so loud that you can't chat to your mates.
Give me a live band any time, so long as they aren't so loud that you can't chat to your mates.
Edited by Bannock on Wednesday 8th June 16:06
I cut my sound man teeth working with a pub covers band and I think it hinges on the volume. If I could get the instruments to play at a sensible level / they are far enough away it would be great. When it was too loud it would cause people to leave.
Here is a hint drummers; play relatively quietly! Otherwise everyone else has to come up to match you and it's too loud.
Also guitarists; you just don't need a 4 X 12.
Here is a hint drummers; play relatively quietly! Otherwise everyone else has to come up to match you and it's too loud.
Also guitarists; you just don't need a 4 X 12.
Our local used to have bands in at least twice a month and we've had some cracking nights there as a result. We're mid Essex and blessed with many really great 'pub' bands, not least of which is because of the plethora of pro-musos that just like to play for the fun of it. We've had Russ Gilbrook (drummer with Uriah Heep) and Al Vosper (guitarist for just about everyone) and similar turn up with some band or another.
Main problem is that most pubs (including our local) are too small with nowhere for the sound to go (if that makes sense!). It's loud but the main problem is that the quality of the loudness is sometimes not good (if that makes sense too!).
Normally good business for the pub. Most bands would turn up with their mates and family and others so even if the locals weren't that bothered, they'd still have a decent night at the till.
Main problem is that most pubs (including our local) are too small with nowhere for the sound to go (if that makes sense!). It's loud but the main problem is that the quality of the loudness is sometimes not good (if that makes sense too!).
Normally good business for the pub. Most bands would turn up with their mates and family and others so even if the locals weren't that bothered, they'd still have a decent night at the till.
Assuming they were half good I'd be there.
I used to go to the Quakerhouse in Darlington where they had live music on most nights, loved the place.
In a previous, previous life I'd be looking at listings for all the pubs in the area (mainly Tyneside) and decide where to go each evening.
Where I live now, there's no pub in the area plays the stuff I like which is a bit depressing TBH.
What really used to get me though (Quakerhouse excepted) is the gits who push there way to the front then proceed to talk loudly over the band when I'm there for the music.
I used to go to the Quakerhouse in Darlington where they had live music on most nights, loved the place.
In a previous, previous life I'd be looking at listings for all the pubs in the area (mainly Tyneside) and decide where to go each evening.
Where I live now, there's no pub in the area plays the stuff I like which is a bit depressing TBH.
What really used to get me though (Quakerhouse excepted) is the gits who push there way to the front then proceed to talk loudly over the band when I'm there for the music.
I’m in a busy covers band, playing danceable music with in tune 3 part harmonies at a reasonable volume, we get rebooked at every venue.
When all is said and done the band are beer salesmen and though our fee is higher than average, bar sales make up for this.
Punters don't want to be deafened, and a plus is that my days of lugging a monster speaker cabinet are over.
When all is said and done the band are beer salesmen and though our fee is higher than average, bar sales make up for this.
Punters don't want to be deafened, and a plus is that my days of lugging a monster speaker cabinet are over.
I guess my issue is that there are pubs where live music is a good fit, and those where it isn't.
Particularly as the long term trend is towards (a) more open plan bars and (b) more provision of food, you end up with a few dining tables being pushed out of the way, and a very loud band potentially a few metres away from diners.
Again, I'd be extremely interested to hear more from people in the pub trade... or in bands!
Particularly as the long term trend is towards (a) more open plan bars and (b) more provision of food, you end up with a few dining tables being pushed out of the way, and a very loud band potentially a few metres away from diners.
Again, I'd be extremely interested to hear more from people in the pub trade... or in bands!
I love live music in general and am a fan of a good pub band.
However, they have to be decent, and it has to be in a room/outdoor setting with an appropriate level of equipment and sound level.
If you get a bunch of blokes turn up with a backline of Marshall amps and 27 effects pedals in the snug of the Dog and Hammer and they play at a volume that would have the organisers of Download reaching for the noise meter then it's a tad offputting.
However, they have to be decent, and it has to be in a room/outdoor setting with an appropriate level of equipment and sound level.
If you get a bunch of blokes turn up with a backline of Marshall amps and 27 effects pedals in the snug of the Dog and Hammer and they play at a volume that would have the organisers of Download reaching for the noise meter then it's a tad offputting.
I'm one of those old blokes in a pub rock band, and I wouldn't want to play in a pub where they were serving food in the same room either.
Most gigs we play are in pubs where people go because there is a band playing, if you don't like it I'm sure the next pub just down the road will have some football on.
One thing I detest is pubs showing football and 40 something idiots in football tops three sizes too small getting wound up and screaming at a tv, so I don't go in them.
Each to their iwn
Most gigs we play are in pubs where people go because there is a band playing, if you don't like it I'm sure the next pub just down the road will have some football on.
One thing I detest is pubs showing football and 40 something idiots in football tops three sizes too small getting wound up and screaming at a tv, so I don't go in them.
Each to their iwn
Pubs are the perfect place for live music. Have a good band on and the pub will be far busier than without.
If entertainment didn't bring people into pubs they wouldn't pay for it. There is enough choice out there that live music will always be a big thing in certain pubs.
I've never been to a beer festival that didn't have live music. Never have people left as they know and expect the live music to be part of the event. Most beer festivals would flop without music.
If entertainment didn't bring people into pubs they wouldn't pay for it. There is enough choice out there that live music will always be a big thing in certain pubs.
I've never been to a beer festival that didn't have live music. Never have people left as they know and expect the live music to be part of the event. Most beer festivals would flop without music.
Edited by Driver101 on Wednesday 8th June 19:49
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