In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Dorothy Robbie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Bru Peckett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 1:04 AM >Subject: RE: [canals-list] Another report on the National (or bits of it at >any rate!) > > >> Sue wrote: >> >>> Is there anyone who says they like it that loud? Being an >>> old grump person it is one (ok a minor one) reason for not >>> going to the National. >> >> Amongst others no doubt :-) >> >> I suspect there were probably one or two "nutters" who liked it that >> loud (there's always the odd one) but not many. But there are plenty of >> people at the festival who like a bit of rock 'n roll and if you have >> live rock bands (or similar) with drum kits it's gonna be fairly loud >> and probably too loud by old grump person standards :-) >>> There'll doubtless be some people who'd prefer to have no music at all, >> others who'd be happy with a bit of quiet 'musak' (ugh!) and then >> there'll be others still who like it loud. >> >> Bru >> >> * OK, I'll explain this one even though nobody asked :-) >> > ><snip explanation - even though nobody asked: it's good to have your excuses >well-rehearsed> > >> It really isn't as simple as just turning it down. Honest!
Bru has given a very clear and rational explanation of why it's not always possible to "just turn it down" > >There may be another way - why not have the band in the theatre? Then it >will be less noisy in the bar, and it will be obvious which people want to >listen to the band and which people are in the bar for a drink -quiet or >otherwise? Referring to the present set-up. Mainly because the theatre isn't big enough, would need a similar rig to that in the bar and most importantly was specifically intended (largely at the instigatin of Dave gereen and myself over the last couple of years) to offer an alternative package of entertainment to that in the bar. The quiet bar was axed on the grounds of space on the site and no doubt with aneye on a cost saving. Personally i'd like to see a smaller bar with no stage etc., A theatre with even more emphasis on drama in the evenings and a main music venue as far from the other two as possible! So far any suggestions of this sort of layout have been met with aveto on the grounds of cost and concerns that the music venue wouldn't be supported if away from the bar. I think the first thing is to wonder whether there needs to be "big" entertainment in the evenings at all. It costs quite a bit and genertaes no direct income. I don't imagine any boater or camper comes just because there are bands on in the evening. I wonder whether we shouldn't either do away with main bar entertainment and develop the theatre further or alternatively find a way of opening the music venue to the locals at a charge per evening. Before anyone mentins the night fence, i'd likle someone to explain why we need one when Crick manages perfectly well without. >I did not patronise the bar at all during the weekend, mostly >because after a day on the IWA South London stand I was only interested in >getting back to the hotel for a rest. However, from experience of previous >years, there is always conflict between those who want an evening 'in the >pub' to chat with friends and those who want the band to be heard. Whether >the latter group includes any actual 'fans' is something I have never quite >worked out. It is always the techies who speak up for the loud noise. That's a bit unfair! As tech manager i cop a lot of the flak and try to walk the tight rope :-( personally i don't like loud music but am aware that some do. I spent quite a lot of time getting levels turned down whenI could. Certainly running background CDs at high level got a sharp slap from me and I did my best with split whiskers but in that case the PA music balancer knew the band well and had worked with them before so no doubt wanted to give them a sound they'd be pleased with. > >I am fussy, although I like rock music I have no time for second-rate >musicians, and it seems that the bands the NWF can afford could only *dream* >of becoming second-rate! Hmm. I'm no expert nor did I do the bookings so i'd best not comment > >While we were packing up our stand on the Monday evening, the band started >up in the bar and the noise was quite loud even from about 200 yards away. >It put my companions off going to the bar for a drink, and the one person >who did venture there came back, saying people were leaving in droves. > Monday's band was a late booking. According to Malcolm the original duo was more of a comedy/music act to complement Roger Chucklefoot. The Maybees were booked with a couple of weeks to go. One of my ongoing causes for amazement ever since I first joined the Ents teamis that Malcolm seems to book some acts/bands without going to hear them play live. >This is a discussion which has been going on for years, without any sensible >resolution, but it seems to me that trying to combine the bar function with >'entertainments' is a non-runner. See above. I'd far rather t was separated. Cheers Guy -- Guy Morgan nb Virgo, WFB, Stockton GU Defend the waterways. Visit the web site www.saveourwaterways.org.uk
