ORIGINAL MUSIC REVIEWS
MUSIC BUSINESS ADVICE - WORKING & ENJOYING MUSIC CONFERENCES / CONVENTIONS / EVENTS & FESTIVALS part 2 of 2
BAND / GROUP / MUSICIAN - ALL
GENRE / STYLE - ALL
ENJOYING A MUSIC FESTIVAL
I recently spoke with an old friend of mine about a couple of music conventions that we both attended. We had some fun taking a trip down memory lane. So many good memories, from different places, which will never be replaced. I saw or met in person Eartha Kitt (Jazz Legend / Catwoman from Batman TV show), Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow / Black Sabbath / Dio) , and Jani Lane (Warrant) all who are no longer with us. I met in person Ice T (Rapper / Actor), Slash (Guns 'n Roses / Snake Pit / Velvet Revolver), Rob Halford (Judas Priest / Fight) all very cool guys. I had a beer or ten with Christopher Penn (Actor), Brian Batson (Abolish), Duff McKagan (Guns 'n Roses) who, at the time, was talking about his new project called Velvet Revolver (I think that he said that Billy Idol was going to be their singer).
I saw Motor
Head, Stuck Mojo, LA Guns, and W.A.S.P. in concert but I missed out on one of
Temple of the Dog's (the Pearl Jam / Sound Garden collaboration ) only live performances ever. I went to a Danzig CD listening party
(he was a no show), was invited to a Tesla party (can't remember why
I didn't go) and I heard for the first time, off of a music Festivals CD compilation, "Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson. This was long before the album was is stores
or the song was played on the radio (thanks Scott). One time, flying back to the east coast from a
convention in California, my friend and I also sat on a plane just a couple of
rows behind black metal singer King Diamond (Mercyful Fate). My friend and I both kept wondering if it was a good thing or a
bad thing that he was on the same flight. These were some of many great memories that I have over the past years of going to various music conferences, conventions, forums, & festivals.
Most music conferences, conventions, & festivals will allow general admission for anybody to attend. You don't have to be in the music business, you just have to be a music fan. Here are some thoughts about attending one of these, for anyone who is looking to experience a good time.
Always plan ahead.
When going to any music conference / convention / event / festivals here are some things that you should bring with you : EVENT GUIDE - events with a huge music line up and many venues or stages are planed out months ahead of time. The artists have commented to a date, time, and location. Their maybe a band that you want to see at one venue and later you could see another one of your favorite musicians at a different venue. A guide listing all of the shows & events is most often published by the event, in advance. This is so helpful to plan ahead. Some events have a list on their website and/or will mail your badges in advance with a list of venues & artist performing. If no guide is available, get a list of the venues, or the locations, and the show times as early as possible to help you plan ahead, so you don't miss out on some good music. MAP - of the city/town and mark where the locations are within the city. This will help you figure out how to get from place to place. CAMERA - most events will let you bring one and you may run into one of your favorite music stars. Permanent MARKER - for autographs. WATCH - to keep track of time. Time can go by quickly, keep track so you don't miss out on your favorite band / group / musician because you spent too much time in the beer garden.
Save Some Money.
Do yourself a favor and buy a badge or Pass. I always see some dopes reach into their wallet and pay at the door of two or three venues to see different shows. I have seen where people pay as much as $30 plus tax, just to get a ticket for one venue to see one act. Then spend more at another venue. For those who suck at math (like me) 3 venues x $30 each ticket = $90 plus tax. The 2011 Philadelphia Film & Music 4 Day Badge (depending on how early you bought one) was only $50 - $80 total. The earlier you buy a badge, the cheaper the price. Plus somethings are not open to the general public. The best thing to do is buy an all access badge or pass. It will get you into almost Everywhere. If you can't afford a badge or can only stay the day, many music conventions & festivals will offer you a day wristband. This wristband will let you go into the different venues for a low daily price. Still cheaper than if you pay at the door to get into a couple of venues.
Some music events will hook up with motels, hotels, airlines, or car rental companies to get you a package deal. This deal may be cheaper than if you book it yourself. Email or call the event to find out prices. Then shop around. Another way to save money is to go with others. Just be careful who you bring along.
Sometimes you might have to take a cab to the other side of town quickly to see another act. Car pool or share a taxi will lower the cost for your trip. Looking for some merch from the conference / convention / event / festival ? If you're ok to take a chance on them not having your size or running out of an item you want, the last day of the convention/festival is usually the best time to barter to get a good deal on the merch for sale. Remember, after the last day is done, they will be stuck with anything left over.
Free Stuff.
Conventions & festivals will give you extra stuff when you register to pick up your badge or wristband. We got a couple of Free Beers with this badge (it's ok, we didn't drive). Over the past few years various music conventions/festivals have given us free food, free beer, free movie rentals, discounted hotel stays, discounted car rentals, shirts (wrong size but hey it was free), key chains, and tons of CDs, DVDs, and other swag.
Vendor Booths.
Most often at Music conventions & festivals you will find vendor booths. Vendor Booths will be posted throughout a good music event. That is where you can get some more free swag. I have seen soda companies, beer companies, candy companies, cookie companies, and others all give out Free samples of goodies. Some booths will be from different brands of music equipment. These give away guitar picks, strings, and drum sticks with their name and logo on it. They sometimes have raffles, wheels to spin, or other free games of "chance" to win larger more expensive new or autographed gear. All you have to do is give your email and enter a drawing and you could walk away with a guitar or some other piece of equipment. Always enter because your chances to win something are high. Even if you play the drums and it is a guitar company, you should enter. You can always sell your winnings when you get home. Some equipment vendors will have "Music Stars" there signing stuff & taking pictures. Join in on the fun and get a picture even if you hate their music or never heard of them. You never know if their next album may become one of your favorites.
Be Safe.
When you go to one of events keep your wits about you. Especially when you are in a city that is unfamiliar to you. If your hotel has an in room safe, use it. You will only need some cash, your I.D. and your badge. Everything else, store away. Speaking of your badge, don't hang it around your neck. Unless you keep it under your shirt and whip it out to show it, I suggest that you wrap it around your pants belt hoop. Thieves can "snatch & grab" you badge, then you are out of luck.
Special Parties.
Some events have private beer gardens or parties not open to those without a badge / pass. Beer gardens are for those 21 and older. A brand of beer will supply beer, banners, napkins and on a rare occasion light munchies to nibble on. The down side is that you can only drink the sponsor's brand of beer at this location. The upside is that beer gardens are a great way to network and meet new people. I have seen various musicians, business people and on a very rare occasion a movie star or two. All for just buying a badge or pass in advance.
When you go, to your next music convention or festival, remember to keep your eyes & ears open for good times and good sounds. You can hear some great new music from some new artist or an old one. Plus you never know who you will see or meet or with whom you will have a beer or maybe ten.
Below are some links for a few up and coming music conferences, conventions, events, festivals :
A3C
Oct 2011 Atlanta, GA for Hip-Hop.
CMJ Music Marathon
Oct 2011 NYC for College Radio.
FEST 10
Oct 2011 Gainsville, FL for Punk.
SXSW (South by South West)
March 2012 Austin, TX The LARGEST Music Festival All levels of styles/genres perform there.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April/May 2012 New Orleans, LA for Jazz
CMA Music Fest
June 2012 Nashville for Country Music.
2012 Milwaukee Metal Festival T.B.A. for Metal and of course everyone who is anyone will be at next years Philly Film & Music Festival T.B.A.
Hope to see you at one or more of those -IF- Original Music Reviews doesn't become "black listed" because we gave away some of their secrets.
(check out part 1 for more info)
-Alex
Original Music Reviews
http://OriginalMusicReviews.BlogSpot.com
MUSIC BUSINESS ADVICE - WORKING & ENJOYING MUSIC CONFERENCES / CONVENTIONS / EVENTS & FESTIVALS part 2 of 2
BAND / GROUP / MUSICIAN - ALL
GENRE / STYLE - ALL
I recently spoke with an old friend of mine about a couple of music conventions that we both attended. We had some fun taking a trip down memory lane. So many good memories, from different places, which will never be replaced. I saw or met in person Eartha Kitt (Jazz Legend / Catwoman from Batman TV show), Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow / Black Sabbath / Dio) , and Jani Lane (Warrant) all who are no longer with us. I met in person Ice T (Rapper / Actor), Slash (Guns 'n Roses / Snake Pit / Velvet Revolver), Rob Halford (Judas Priest / Fight) all very cool guys. I had a beer or ten with Christopher Penn (Actor), Brian Batson (Abolish), Duff McKagan (Guns 'n Roses) who, at the time, was talking about his new project called Velvet Revolver (I think that he said that Billy Idol was going to be their singer).
 |
| Some of the over 10,000 attendees @ 2011 Philly Film & Music 4 Day Festival. photo: Rick Kauffman |
Most music conferences, conventions, & festivals will allow general admission for anybody to attend. You don't have to be in the music business, you just have to be a music fan. Here are some thoughts about attending one of these, for anyone who is looking to experience a good time.
Always plan ahead.
When going to any music conference / convention / event / festivals here are some things that you should bring with you : EVENT GUIDE - events with a huge music line up and many venues or stages are planed out months ahead of time. The artists have commented to a date, time, and location. Their maybe a band that you want to see at one venue and later you could see another one of your favorite musicians at a different venue. A guide listing all of the shows & events is most often published by the event, in advance. This is so helpful to plan ahead. Some events have a list on their website and/or will mail your badges in advance with a list of venues & artist performing. If no guide is available, get a list of the venues, or the locations, and the show times as early as possible to help you plan ahead, so you don't miss out on some good music. MAP - of the city/town and mark where the locations are within the city. This will help you figure out how to get from place to place. CAMERA - most events will let you bring one and you may run into one of your favorite music stars. Permanent MARKER - for autographs. WATCH - to keep track of time. Time can go by quickly, keep track so you don't miss out on your favorite band / group / musician because you spent too much time in the beer garden.
 |
| 4 Day All Access Badge |
Save Some Money.
Do yourself a favor and buy a badge or Pass. I always see some dopes reach into their wallet and pay at the door of two or three venues to see different shows. I have seen where people pay as much as $30 plus tax, just to get a ticket for one venue to see one act. Then spend more at another venue. For those who suck at math (like me) 3 venues x $30 each ticket = $90 plus tax. The 2011 Philadelphia Film & Music 4 Day Badge (depending on how early you bought one) was only $50 - $80 total. The earlier you buy a badge, the cheaper the price. Plus somethings are not open to the general public. The best thing to do is buy an all access badge or pass. It will get you into almost Everywhere. If you can't afford a badge or can only stay the day, many music conventions & festivals will offer you a day wristband. This wristband will let you go into the different venues for a low daily price. Still cheaper than if you pay at the door to get into a couple of venues.
Some music events will hook up with motels, hotels, airlines, or car rental companies to get you a package deal. This deal may be cheaper than if you book it yourself. Email or call the event to find out prices. Then shop around. Another way to save money is to go with others. Just be careful who you bring along.
Sometimes you might have to take a cab to the other side of town quickly to see another act. Car pool or share a taxi will lower the cost for your trip. Looking for some merch from the conference / convention / event / festival ? If you're ok to take a chance on them not having your size or running out of an item you want, the last day of the convention/festival is usually the best time to barter to get a good deal on the merch for sale. Remember, after the last day is done, they will be stuck with anything left over.
Free Stuff.
Conventions & festivals will give you extra stuff when you register to pick up your badge or wristband. We got a couple of Free Beers with this badge (it's ok, we didn't drive). Over the past few years various music conventions/festivals have given us free food, free beer, free movie rentals, discounted hotel stays, discounted car rentals, shirts (wrong size but hey it was free), key chains, and tons of CDs, DVDs, and other swag.
Vendor Booths.
Most often at Music conventions & festivals you will find vendor booths. Vendor Booths will be posted throughout a good music event. That is where you can get some more free swag. I have seen soda companies, beer companies, candy companies, cookie companies, and others all give out Free samples of goodies. Some booths will be from different brands of music equipment. These give away guitar picks, strings, and drum sticks with their name and logo on it. They sometimes have raffles, wheels to spin, or other free games of "chance" to win larger more expensive new or autographed gear. All you have to do is give your email and enter a drawing and you could walk away with a guitar or some other piece of equipment. Always enter because your chances to win something are high. Even if you play the drums and it is a guitar company, you should enter. You can always sell your winnings when you get home. Some equipment vendors will have "Music Stars" there signing stuff & taking pictures. Join in on the fun and get a picture even if you hate their music or never heard of them. You never know if their next album may become one of your favorites.
Be Safe.
When you go to one of events keep your wits about you. Especially when you are in a city that is unfamiliar to you. If your hotel has an in room safe, use it. You will only need some cash, your I.D. and your badge. Everything else, store away. Speaking of your badge, don't hang it around your neck. Unless you keep it under your shirt and whip it out to show it, I suggest that you wrap it around your pants belt hoop. Thieves can "snatch & grab" you badge, then you are out of luck.
Special Parties.
Some events have private beer gardens or parties not open to those without a badge / pass. Beer gardens are for those 21 and older. A brand of beer will supply beer, banners, napkins and on a rare occasion light munchies to nibble on. The down side is that you can only drink the sponsor's brand of beer at this location. The upside is that beer gardens are a great way to network and meet new people. I have seen various musicians, business people and on a very rare occasion a movie star or two. All for just buying a badge or pass in advance.
When you go, to your next music convention or festival, remember to keep your eyes & ears open for good times and good sounds. You can hear some great new music from some new artist or an old one. Plus you never know who you will see or meet or with whom you will have a beer or maybe ten.
Below are some links for a few up and coming music conferences, conventions, events, festivals :
A3C
Oct 2011 Atlanta, GA for Hip-Hop.
CMJ Music Marathon
Oct 2011 NYC for College Radio.
FEST 10
Oct 2011 Gainsville, FL for Punk.
SXSW (South by South West)
March 2012 Austin, TX The LARGEST Music Festival All levels of styles/genres perform there.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April/May 2012 New Orleans, LA for Jazz
CMA Music Fest
June 2012 Nashville for Country Music.
2012 Milwaukee Metal Festival T.B.A. for Metal and of course everyone who is anyone will be at next years Philly Film & Music Festival T.B.A.
Hope to see you at one or more of those -IF- Original Music Reviews doesn't become "black listed" because we gave away some of their secrets.
(check out part 1 for more info)
-Alex
Original Music Reviews
http://OriginalMusicReviews.BlogSpot.com