Questions for a Live Party Band : What Rider Requirements do Metropolis have?

Every live party band has slightly different rider requirements when performing at Wedding, Simcha or Birthday Party. However. If your booking a function band for the first time the term rider may be a expression you have never come across before. Here is a short definition from about.com:

Rider

Rider refers to the little extras a band receives from the promoter at a gig, usually in their dressing room. Typical riders include things like food and beverages, or a pre-arranged amount of money that the promoter will provide to a band to buy themselves a meal and some drinks. The rider should also include information about special dietary requirements or preferences of the band. The rider will usually contain specific information, such “the promoter will provide four hot vegetarian meals and assorted beverages.

Ironing Board

Many of you will have heard the comical stories of pop stars such a Noel Gallagher asking for a bowl of M&Ms with red ones removed; or a good one I heard recently was an ironing board but with no iron! Thankfully when you book a party band none of them ever have ridiculous requirements like that. The Metropolis rider simply asks for a hot meal/drinks for the band and crew and a secure dressing room/changing room for the band to relax in. To most of our Clients this is never an issue however some occasionally question the need for this ‘particularly as the last band didn’t need that’ – this post will hopefully explain why these two things are essential.

Big Corporate Gigs

To give you an example: The Metropolis 8 piece band is off up to Hull tomorrow to perform for a corporate event for BP Exploration. To make sound check at 5pm the musicians and crew will be leaving London at midday. The event will finish at midnight and most them will not get to bed much before 4am – a long day by anyone’s standards, not mention about 400 miles! With only motorway service station food available, the need for a good feed is a simple necessity – firstly to perform a great gig and secondly to get home safely. Metropolis aren’t a fussy bunch however the word ‘hot’ is extremely important. All too often, when a venue is asked to supply food for a band a plate of sandwiches are presented which have been in the fridge a couple of days. Whist being completely unappetizing, any dietitian will tell you a plate full or carbohydrate is completely the wrong food if you need a band to stay awake. It’s possible they will start nodding off exactly when you want them to play! So, after committing a considerable amount of money booking a band, it’s worth spending that little extra to ensure you really do get the best out of your musicians – after all they’re only human!More next time…Any questions, as always please drop us a line to say hello on our contact form.