It always sounds like it could be fun when they book you. "Come and play with your band in our garden, we'll put up a gazebo..." The reality in my experience is bad weather, muddy garden, gazebo too small, electric string 30 metres long from the house, van gets damaged by pissed up guests scraping past it, 50 guests turn up so nowhere for them to park. They all stand around chatting through the first set, second set they all start dancing and enjoying the band 30 minutes before you are due to finish. This is followed by protests about why you can't carry on for another couple of hours. Then you have to pack up in the dark trudging through the muddy tracks back to the van. As you can probably guess, I had this gig today.....rant over, I feel better now.
Comments
Asked to play someone's house once, thought it must be a big house but was literally a terraced house with just enough room for band let alone audience.
(formerly miserneil)
The gig party was by private invitation and many folks knew one another and it was a very jovial atmosphere on the summer solstice. The Neighbours were all spoken to before the event (and invited), indeed the event took place each year for several years. Rock n' Roll.
A few years ago one of my neighbours had a karaoke party/bbq at full volume until 3am. They'd got a stage erected with v powerful lighting. The police came to get them to turn it down but the neighbours cranked it up again as soon as they left. They didn't even invite us:)
Had the OP's bad experience of this a few times before.
Also had a similar experience of a mega rich family who booked us. Huge stage hired in, decent electrics nearby. OK the load in and parking was a PITA but it turned into a great night.
During the 2nd set most people were rather tipsy and were intent on stripping off and jumping into the pool. After we finished playing ended up at a silent disco in the inflatable pub they'd hired.
Great Gig that was.
Almost beat the woman who in a local club wanted to hear more of the band so offered us a grand to go back to her house and play the whole set again in her kitchen. That night was something i'll never forget.