Miscellaneous Security jobsworth

[cappers]

The band was booked to play at the Brighton half-marathon from 09:30 this morning. The access road to the venue was due to close at 07:30 so most of us arrived just after 07:00.
'Security' refused to let us drive in to drop off our gear as the road had been closed early, despite the fact we had access passes from the event organiser. We were told to park in the marina a quarter of a mile away and carry our gear to the venue!
The BL couldn't get of hold the organiser on the 'phone so left a message saying as our access was denied we're cancelling. Half an hour later the organiser got back to the BL and said they had 'sorted' security so we can now drop our stuff at the venue. Most of us had turned around and gone home so the request was politely refused! It's wet and windy so no great loss.

 

[MikeMorrell]

What a pity! Still as you say, it's not much fun playing if it's wet and windy anyway.

I looked up the Brighton Marathon website and the 'road closures' are indeed planned from 06.30. Still, the lack of flexibility and common sense does sounds like a "jobsworth".

 

[cappers]

The passes were so we could access the site despite the road closure, as long as we were there before 7:30.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Communication problem between organisers and security. Can't blame a man for doing his job and not making decisions above his pay grade.

 

[Pete Effamy]

You need someone in the band like Suzi Q. Not one of the security guys would have survived.

Sorry to hear that you've had a negative experience so soon into your gigging days. File it under "how musicians get treated".

From trying to not get wee on your trousers when changing in loos to a very large UNICEF charity event which forgot to feed us, yet managed to feed all guests, catering staff etc etc etc and then turned up with a nice plastic bag of packet sandwiches and crisps from the local filling station - no I have not forgotten after 30-odd years.

And the many others...

 

[Digger2054]

That's frustrating.

@Pete Effamy you're not alone Dean has told me some belters, and to top it off it's usually for very little financial reward.

 

[Pete Effamy]

That's frustrating.

@Pete Effamy you're not alone Dean has told me some belters, and to top it off it's usually for very little financial reward.

Yes that’s the rub. Elton John and the huge names get ultimate respect but the rest rarely do. I think we were paid on this one (of course, as all caterers and those involved in putting on a show are paid) but when it happens on a fairly consistent basis you’ll find a lot of musos are unavailable on “that” night when it comes to large charity events.

 

[cappers]

Sorry to hear that you've had a negative experience so soon into your gigging days. File it under "how musicians get treated".

What us 'artistes' have to suffer

TBH I wasn't looking forward to playing outside this morning, 9ºC raining and facing a south-westerly wind. Playing our regular seafront cafe-bar gig on Thursday evening which will be much nicer.