Re: Y & T and Stormzone in Belfast 5th October
Posted by:
kev d tonge
()
Date: September 18, 2009 03:58AM
Speaking from little old England as it were I thought I would add my little bit.
1. The only thing wrong with Davy is that he is a Spurs fan - period.
Of the 3-4 times I have played in Belfast, EVERY time we have been met with the greatest hospitality a band could wish for. Having also booked the White Lion tour myself last year, there were never any issues about not getting paid as the money was in my hand the minute we landed in Belfast. Tramp and co actually commented how enjoyable the whole show was, largely due to the people who made the show possible, and due to the fans feedback, who may I add only got to see White Lion in Belfast because of Davy, Si, Al etc etc.
Its not just a case of book a band, pay them and go home.
The NI crew have to pick bands up from the airport and ferry them between hotel and venue. Sort out backline, and in the case of WL organise a PA 1 week before the show as they were let down with the original one they were gonna use. It takes a team of 7-8 people to give up an entire weekend to run a show.
Not to mention the issue of selling tickets. IF a show didn't sell enough to break even, the bands would still get paid and that money would come out of Davy and Co's own pockets!!
if it wasn't for the likes of Kieran, Davy etc, bands such as Gotthard, D2, Firehouse, Tyketto etc would not be touring the UK. These guys brought these bands over 5,6,7 years ago for the first time in a very long time at their OWN risk. The fact that these bands come back time and time again speaks volumes.
DO NOT FORGET - these guys do not admit to being promoters for a living, but bring these bands over purely for the love of music and to get a chance to see these bands live themselves.
If it wasn't for the above people involved do you seriously think booking agents would be bringing these bands over??????
My hat does, and always will go off to the likes of Kieran, Davy, Si, Al, PK, TM, Bunt etc etc etc for the work they put in (and for those that know me - believe me my hat dosen't come off very often!!!!!!)
Keep doing what you do guys!!!!