spitfire
Walty McWaltface
Yes, that was usually the case for us as support. Also seem to remember restrictions on lighting and volume. Big meanies.
The Monochrome Set are back!
- Thread starter editor
- Start date
Yes, that was usually the case for us as support. Also seem to remember restrictions on lighting and volume. Big meanies.
Even smaller gigs, if the headline band is on tour they are rightly not going to want to lend gear to the local support band every night; if their gear breaks then the tour gets disrupted, and if its say a 30 day tour then if the support band borrows gear every night it makes 60 days worth of gig wear on the equipment.
Local bands (or more likely venues) lending gear is a great idea if it can work though....I guess it makes booking a tour v difficult if you have to rely on it though.
Local bands (or more likely venues) lending gear is a great idea if it can work though....I guess it makes booking a tour v difficult if you have to rely on it though.
editor
hiraethified
editor
hiraethified
As far as I know, with the Mono Set it's usually pretty easy to get local bands to lend their gear - they're often getting to play a packed out, bigger venue than they normally would and it means they don't have to set up in front of anyone else's gear, so they get more room on stage. Bands are sent our gear requirements in advance, and obviously we underwrite any damage.
There's no practical way we could have done many of our gigs if we were carting a ton of gear around on a tour bus.
It makes sense. Particularly as in the next few years it is going to be a struggle to balance any kind of tour financially. It is just a fair bit more work for the booker I would have thought! so well done to them. But yeh everyone is going to have to work out new ways to save money, if any kind of touring is going to be possible.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
I really do like the idea, but the inconsistency from show to show would drive me nuts
As a TM or Engineer it’s my job to try and make sure every audience member gets the same show, no matter what date of the tour it is.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
This is a very good point. “New normal” etc...
editor
hiraethified
It's not a lot of fun for me as a drummer as I've got battle a different kit's quirks every night, but if it means I get to tour Europe, Japan and the US, you won't hear me complain!I really do like the idea, but the inconsistency from show to show would drive me nuts
Plus using local resources is miles better for the environment.
editor
hiraethified
Yep. I think what happens with our booker - who is fucking brilliant - is that she writes to venues looking for gigs (either on a flat fee/percentage door take or venue hire basis) and then looks around for local bands as well as asking the venue for recommendations. Quite a few venues have their own gear anyway - just like I did when I was running the Albert nights. It takes a lot of the ballache out for bands and reduces their costs massively.
Bands are going to have to tighten their belts hugely in a Covid world as I can't see lucrative packed-out gigs returning for some time.
If it becomes more of a common thing then it will get easier and easier.... and def playing a lot more around the UK rather than the europe would be another thing. Which would really be good actually, to build up a proper UK tour circuit rather than "London + 1 other city" standard UK tour. Going around the UK in a car with instruments in the boot, sounds fun actually (for a while at least).
editor
hiraethified
I absolutely love travelling by train to gigs.
Long term, I'm asking around to see if I can find a new, cheap live venue in Brixton and the first thing I'll do is sort out a competent backline so bands can just rock up via public transport or whatever. There's going to be a lot less cash around so bands, DJs, promoters etc are all going to have to get used to smaller wages.
editor
hiraethified
We often end the set on that song. I've always loved it.
It would be great if all cities/towns across the UK developed something like the european punk youth club venues/social centres. I don't mean that they would have punk music, just a some kind of youth run/managed creative space, for hosting shows, exhibitions, whatever is needed... and they can fund raise together to buy equipment to share.
I would ban "DJ workshops" though, sorry that's just the way it is.
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editor
hiraethified
I won't be running any of them in my venue (if I find one) but sometimes DJ nights end up funding the live music shows...
Chilli.s
mingling jets and statuettes
Still kicking meself for not going to see you lot last time in Brizol
oh dj nights are fine, it is just "dj workshops" I have a thing against
editor
hiraethified
I hear you!
editor
hiraethified
Here's the updated UK gigs if anyone is interested:
27/03/2021 - The Railway Tavern, Winchester, UK https://www.railwayinn.pub/shows/the-monochrome-set/
10/04/2021 - The Deaf Institute, Manchester, UK https://www.ents24.com/.../the.../the-monochrome-set/6102906
17/04/2021 - The Con Club, Lewes, UK https://www.seetickets.com/.../the.../lewes-con-club/1458943
24/04/2021 - The Greystones, Sheffield, UK https://www.wegottickets.com/event/480302
18/09/2021 - Amersham Arms, London, UK https://www.wegottickets.com/event/493446
25/09/21 - South Street Arts Centre, Reading, UK https://www.gigantic.com/.../south.../2020-09-19-19-30
27/03/2021 - The Railway Tavern, Winchester, UK https://www.railwayinn.pub/shows/the-monochrome-set/
10/04/2021 - The Deaf Institute, Manchester, UK https://www.ents24.com/.../the.../the-monochrome-set/6102906
17/04/2021 - The Con Club, Lewes, UK https://www.seetickets.com/.../the.../lewes-con-club/1458943
24/04/2021 - The Greystones, Sheffield, UK https://www.wegottickets.com/event/480302
18/09/2021 - Amersham Arms, London, UK https://www.wegottickets.com/event/493446
25/09/21 - South Street Arts Centre, Reading, UK https://www.gigantic.com/.../south.../2020-09-19-19-30
8ball
Decolonise colons!
Fine, snub Nottingham then.
We don't care.
We've got Steps coming next year.
And Gary Barlow.
editor
hiraethified
It's not about snubbing anywhere - we'd happily play there, but if there's no suitable venues that make the trip viable, it's not possible.
That said if you know someone personally who is booking suitable venues, get in touch!
8ball
Decolonise colons!
I know, was just kidding.
Must be especially tricky confirming places at the moment.I reckon Rock City or Bodega or the Rescue Rooms would work (especially the latter), but I don't know anyone involved with booking these days.
andysays
Love and solidarity
Good luck and fingers crossed it eventually goes ahead.
Might even come south of the river to catch the Amersham Arms date.
editor
hiraethified
Yes, we're still scheduled for a thumping 18 date coast-to-coast tour in October although at least one of the venues has gone bust, so there's some rejigging going on.
I can't bloody wait!
StillOnFire
Well-Known Member
I stumbled upon this thread, after searching around the internet for forum threads and posts about the Monochrome Set. I've been reading through a few of the posts, and it's been really interesting getting to read some of the posts from editor . Okay, so what brings me here? I had never really heard of the band until about 6 months ago, apart from maybe hearing the song 'Jet Set Junta' a couple of times in passing. It all started with a recommendation from a friend, they linked me to the song 'Ten Don'ts For Honeymooners' on YouTube, and I was just blown away. Now I've got 4 of the bands albums so far and got a few of the old singles on 7 inch and am going to be adding to the collection over the next few months. My favourite album is 'Eligible Bachelors', the perfection of the bands sound and features my three favourite tracks by the band 'I'll Scry Instead', 'Fun for all the Family' and "The Mating Game'.
I'm sure my knowledge of the band is tiny, but it strikes me they were the nearly men of post-punk/new wave. I heard in interviews that they weren't really focused on commercial success and just made the music they wanted to. But it also seems 'The Lost Weekend' was a real stab at commercial success. That's no criticism at all, I personally think it's such an underrated gem and really easy and accessible to listen to. Although, personally 'Wallflower' was a far better single than 'Jacob's Ladder'. I understand that there was a lot of problems with the album and issues with record labels and the album was ready to go pretty much a whole year before it was actually released. I can't help but think if things went smoothly and they had the backing at the time, things could have gone in a whole different direction. Also, the Bid solo single "Reach For Your Gun" is cracker, and I'm sure in the alternate timeline, where The Lost Weekend wasn't plagued with huge issues behind the scene, it would have ended up a top-40 single for the band.
As for the bands newer work, the bits of 'Spaces Everywhere', 'Cosmonaut' and 'Maisieworld' I have listened to so far are really solid and all really worth a listen. I was well pumped to see the band are performing in London in September touch wood, I'm going to go get my ticket now, and hope it works out. It would be fitting that The Monochrome Set are the first band I see post lockdowns, as they have basically been the sound of my last few months at home.
Anyway, this post is rather long (I tried to make it as short and concise as possible), feel free to criticize all I have said and point out all the information I have got wrong. I imagine touting the virtues of The Lost Weekend may be controversial? But come on, how can you not love 'Cargo' and 'Twitch'.
I'm sure my knowledge of the band is tiny, but it strikes me they were the nearly men of post-punk/new wave. I heard in interviews that they weren't really focused on commercial success and just made the music they wanted to. But it also seems 'The Lost Weekend' was a real stab at commercial success. That's no criticism at all, I personally think it's such an underrated gem and really easy and accessible to listen to. Although, personally 'Wallflower' was a far better single than 'Jacob's Ladder'. I understand that there was a lot of problems with the album and issues with record labels and the album was ready to go pretty much a whole year before it was actually released. I can't help but think if things went smoothly and they had the backing at the time, things could have gone in a whole different direction. Also, the Bid solo single "Reach For Your Gun" is cracker, and I'm sure in the alternate timeline, where The Lost Weekend wasn't plagued with huge issues behind the scene, it would have ended up a top-40 single for the band.
As for the bands newer work, the bits of 'Spaces Everywhere', 'Cosmonaut' and 'Maisieworld' I have listened to so far are really solid and all really worth a listen. I was well pumped to see the band are performing in London in September touch wood, I'm going to go get my ticket now, and hope it works out. It would be fitting that The Monochrome Set are the first band I see post lockdowns, as they have basically been the sound of my last few months at home.
Anyway, this post is rather long (I tried to make it as short and concise as possible), feel free to criticize all I have said and point out all the information I have got wrong. I imagine touting the virtues of The Lost Weekend may be controversial? But come on, how can you not love 'Cargo' and 'Twitch'.
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