|
Post by deathofan80sman on Jun 24, 2013 22:09:47 GMT
Howdy folks. There's an interesting, animated discussion afoot on Beatle Week Liverpool Facebook Group. Basically it's high-lighting the fact that devoted fans pay to see so many bands play and that the VAST majority of bands get no expense, per diem, food or drink voucher. I found it interesting that most of the responding Beatleweek fans did not know that almost every band pay for the pleasure down to the last penny...CCT is coming in for some serious stick. Interested to hear what you decent, adroit folks make of it all:) Beatle Week Liverpool Facebook Group
|
|
|
Post by mrmustard on Jun 24, 2013 23:22:50 GMT
Hi there. How long do I have to search to actually find this discussion?!!
I believe what you are saying to be correct. Have you thought of emailing Bill Heckle directly for a response? He responded to me very quickly when I took umbridge with an issue with Convention day. He did however agree with 'the voice of reason' in the end! Saying this though, bands go year after year. If they were truly being exploited i.e. playing a number of gigs over the week for not even some expenses, why would they go back year after year? Bands themselves aren't exactly open with what they actually do get in return at events like this. Perhaps established some real confirmation in the first instance. Beatleweek goers mightn't like what they believe to be the case but its not stopping them going year after year either is it?
Do you actually have proper facts about the deal with CCT and bands?
|
|
|
Post by deathofan80sman on Jun 25, 2013 0:41:28 GMT
Hey
The discussion is in response to a post by Joe Rodgers..I hope that helps, shoulda mentioned that:)
So the FB post is not actually from myself. However I have played BW 3 years and I can confirm that my band and others received nothing by way of consideration for their outlay in playing at the Festival. The last 2 years we did ask for something towards our costs as a token of acknowledgement of the real cost borne by the band members but we were told there was no margin to cover bands expenses. I got the impression from the discussion that travelling, paying fans assumed bands got 'taken care of' to some degree. Look what a band agrees to is it's own business but two things in the discussion really jumped out at me.. Firstly that a few bands DO seem to get assistance from CCT & this is grossly unfair!! Secondly that the paying fans who are the lifeblood of the festival may not be aware that the bulk of bands literally 'pay-to-play'. I swear to you that in 3 years of playing there not even a pint or plate w toast on it was offered my the venues or the organisers, never mind the travel expenses. I should state that we did get subsidised digs in very, very basic student lodgings..we paid around £22 each a night..not bad but not great. I deplore the practice of counting other peoples money but I have to presume CCT are engaged in the festival in part for profit!
Why do bands go back year after year? Well it is great fun..there is also a degree of prestige about playing the fest, especially the Cavern:) and maybe some eventually get paid, but every band plays their hearts out.
Anyway..enjoy it this year:)
|
|
|
Post by deathofan80sman on Jun 25, 2013 9:04:25 GMT
Just reading there..bands on 'main-stage' slots receive a payment. There used to be free accommodation. Someone else pointed out that if your band is playing the All-Nighter you'd be leaving your girlfriend at the door at 4am...no +1 pass system...we experienced his too as well as the Adelphi's bouncers well-known reputation. The staff are not CCT's responsibility but the system is unappreciative of hardworking musicians dedication and goodwill.
Love to hear other views on all this.
K
|
|
|
Post by mrmustard on Jun 25, 2013 12:49:48 GMT
It seems there is a lot of conjecture of what bands actually receive and don't receive. The honest answer is you don't know for certain. What about the international bands? I have heard they get flights paid for, but do they really? What about the bands that are on this forum that play Beatleweek? Can you shed any light?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2013 18:24:08 GMT
Revolver Dundee?
|
|
|
Post by deathofan80sman on Jun 25, 2013 19:27:01 GMT
FYI that FB thread is no closed...soon after Bill Heckle posted a statement. On the band-pay issue he said...
''To summarise; We have a number of bands who put bums on seats and everybody expects and wants. They get handsomely paid. The second strata get paid and are provided with accommodation. The third strata get accommodation and possibly expenses for travel. The final strata get nothing.''
He lays out how expensive the festival is to run. And how 90% of the bands get something...honestly that is a not what I had understood but that 10% don't get so much as a cup of tea as a thank you. He says this year 9 bands fall into the 'final strata' slot. And they should not expect payment or reimbursement if it was not pre-arranged..fair enough..but it sucks that they cannot get a beer a gig per musician..or a coke!
He didn't address the inability of bands to even pay for their friends, partners into the Adelphi All-nighter..or the treatment doled out by an element of the security(I was on the receiving of this aggressive treatment and used my mind instead of emotions to avert a sudden and very unnecessary confrontation).
Anyway....it was an interesting discussion w robust exchanges....nothing wrong w that:)
Oh btw..I didn't know that Bill Heckle was the proprietor of the Club & Pub!! Conflict of 'free-pints' interest there:) K
|
|
|
Post by mrmustard on Jun 25, 2013 23:01:14 GMT
It would be interesting to know who are in the final strata of bands!
And in the end(!), it was all conjecture wasn't it. Bill Heckle didn't have to give you such an honest and open statement. It's a business when all said and done. Providing he honours the agreement with the bands and is up front with the bands who get nothing, then you really don't have an argument. And, if he is true to his word, then I don't believe it's right that so much bad feeling has been stirred up about this in a public domain. It's ill-informed comments like these that put Beatleweek in a bad light and it certainly doesn't need or deserve it. A lot of hard work goes into it.
So which band are you from then?
Bill Heckle is indeed the proprietor of both The Cavern Club and pub.
|
|