Topic: what to do if i get stopped at the door of a taper friendly show

[brewphish87]

im a new taper with only 3 shows so far...but ive heard it happens frequently and id hate to drive hours only to be turned away because the venue and band managment arent on the same page

[rhinowing]

request to talk to the band's tour manager. Who exactly are you worried about? For most taper-friendly bands, you should be able to dig up the name of their TM or FOH guy on here

[brewphish87]

im planing on taping mule on 12/28 @ the warner theater in dc, not so much the band but the venue, since its so old i thought they might prohibit taping

[su6oxone]

I believe the Warner has allowed taping for very taper friendly bands (like Mule) who actually inform the venue about their taping policy.  The best way to improve your chances of an easy entrance when taping at a not-especially-taper-friendly venue is to contact the management before the show to confirm the taping policy and to ask if they'll inform the venue.  I've done that at most shows at the House of Blues in Dallas and had good success with that approach.  Getting the name of the tour manager or FOH is always a good idea so that you can increase the chance that the venue staff will actually go and confirm with the band/crew.  Most importantly, if you do get a no answer at the door, be persistent (and cordial obviously) because a lot of times they will tell you flat out lies for whatever reasons (lazy, just like to be mean, etc.). 

I would also try asking team Baltimore/DC/NorVA for info:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=51744.180

[ArchivalAudio]

Names help a lot- and as stated above be persistent- be there early- way early if you can- like at Load in - I have found this works wonders because you can usually find the tour manager, FOH engineer (aks Soundman) or a band member that you can talk to  and get them to ensure you are "Ok'd"- occasionally get in for Sound check - sometimes if its a smaller band - I'll help load in gear and they always like that... or get in "on the list"
but
just be nice ans explain it is for personal home use and offer to gte them recordings if they want...

--Ian

[Belexes]

Mule advance their shows so that the venues are informed about their policy on taping.  Venues like House of Blues could be a problem, but most others you should have no issue.

[acidjack]

Because many of the bands I tape are not "taper bands" I almost always arrange with the band, and where necessary, the venue, in advance. If a venue gets in the habit of stopping me when I show up, I politely ask for the e-mail of someone I can contact before I show up.  This has been very successful with one venue in particular; I just let them know I'm coming, get the OK, and then I'm all good.  Easier with smaller places, of course. 

Anytime I get stopped, I just say the band allows taping, is there someone I can talk to.  The key is to be very polite and non-confrontational and take no for an answer.  Especially if it's somewhere where you plan to go back, you're better off getting burned once but making a good impression for the future than being labeled as a jerk that they don't want in their place.

[jibooer]

Speaking from experience, the Mule staff will go out of their way to let you roll tape. Find any of those fellas and you're set. Don't sweat about the Mule and taping. Anyway, there will most certainly be other tapers to help you for entry. Best policy is always to be courteous and have your facts straight.

[page]

Because many of the bands I tape are not "taper bands" I almost always arrange with the band, and where necessary, the venue, in advance. If a venue gets in the habit of stopping me when I show up, I politely ask for the e-mail of someone I can contact before I show up.  This has been very successful with one venue in particular; I just let them know I'm coming, get the OK, and then I'm all good.  Easier with smaller places, of course. 

Anytime I get stopped, I just say the band allows taping, is there someone I can talk to.  The key is to be very polite and non-confrontational and take no for an answer.  Especially if it's somewhere where you plan to go back, you're better off getting burned once but making a good impression for the future than being labeled as a jerk that they don't want in their place.

I'll generally agree with this. I think a pleasent demeaner will go a long way in this hobby (both getting into venues to tape, and in other avenues). ymmv.

[drewski1986]

Get right behind Dr. FOB in line and you'll have no problems.  I'll bet he will be taping this one too.

[nameloc01]

get all the bands and managers' names and contact info..take it with you, even email prior with your name, intent, ect. get to the venue early, dont try to get in with the rest of the creatons at doors with all of your gear just in case their is an issue..call the venue ahead of time..see if they have been made aware of the bands policy yet,..get the theater managers name..give him or her  yours'.. unless its a band i record often and am "guestlisted", I always assume that there will be at least ( even if there isnt) a problem with the venue..and make every effort to clear it up before I even leave my house to go to the show. the absolute last thing you want is problems as youre going in..minutes before the band starts. and just an FYI.. if you approach it the correct way, given the venue is aware of the "open taping" policy.. alot of times they will let you come in early *before doors and the masses enter* and setup.. I have had that happen many, many times.

[ArchivalAudio]

get all the bands and managers' names and contact info..take it with you, even email prior with your name, intent, ect. get to the venue early, dont try to get in with the rest of the creatons at doors with all of your gear just in case their is an issue..call the venue ahead of time..see if they have been made aware of the bands policy yet,..get the theater managers name..give him or her  yours'.. unless its a band i record often and am "guestlisted", I always assume that there will be at least ( even if there isnt) a problem with the venue..and make every effort to clear it up before I even leave my house to go to the show. the absolute last thing you want is problems as youre going in..minutes before the band starts. and just an FYI.. if you approach it the correct way, given the venue is aware of the "open taping" policy.. alot of times they will let you come in early *before doors and the masses enter* and setup.. I have had that happen many, many times.

^^^ ditto
I often have gotten in at load in and been in for sound check - sometimes recorded- sometimes just used as a level check - depending on how in depth the sound check is..

[splumer]

A couple of times I've had security not know that the band was taper-friendly, but some polite insistence on my part usually gets them to check with the crew. Then security comes back and says its OK. I have been told I can't bring my backpack in (Columbus, OH, Palace Theater), can't use gaff tape on seats (Cleveland, State Theater), can't bring in flashlight, can't bring in pens, pencils (weapons, I guess), and other stuff.

[Barry Shoop]

1. Taper friendly bands almost always post something on their site. Print it out and bring with.

2. KNOW the name of the tour manager in advance and make contact via e-mail or whatever in advance. With the advent of social networking and websites you can ALWAYS reach the band before hand. Have a cell # handy if he or she will give it.

3. Be early and BE POLITE. The venue is just trying to stay out of trouble. For sure being a jerk will ensure you do NOT tape that night or any other at that venue.

4. Contact the venue in advance as well and get the name of the manager on duty for the night in question.

5. Print ALL e-mail correspondance and bring it with.

6. If all else fails, politely ask about either locking your gear back in your car or alternatively storing it in a safe, locked place during the show. Being a jerk if totally denied will just mean that you get tossed out thus missing the show as well as not taping.

7. Finally, if you have a relationship with the band (providing copies of shows you have taped is a great way to do this) they or their management will often be happy to tell the venue about you in advance thus saving all sorts of troubles. Take the trouble to get copies to the band and thank them for allowing you to tape. At this point most of the bands I tape put me right on the guest list because they know they are getting a killer tape out of it. (and most of them do not even normally alllow taping.)

[huskerdu]

With the advent of social networking and websites you can ALWAYS reach the band before hand.

You may not ALWAYS receive a response, however...

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

im a new taper with only 3 shows so far...but ive heard it happens frequently and id hate to drive hours only to be turned away because the venue and band managment arent on the same page

As everyone says, be nice about it...  but if you do get turned away, be careful...  DC isn't exactly the nicest place, so if you have to take your rig back to your care, make sure you hide it well...

Didn't someone get their car broken into in DC at 930 or something???  Lost their rig??? 

Terry

[su6oxone]

9:30 Club is in a bit of a ghettoish area, and if you park on the street for free I wouldn't leave anything valuable inside your car.  The Warner Theater on the other hand is in a nice area and should be pretty safe, although as a rule I never take gear to my car and leave it to go back inside since you're just asking to get your car broken into. 

But really the best thing to do is to just reach out to the management beforehand and if that doesn't work, to go early and try to talk to the band/crew around sound check.  This is what I always do at the House of Blues near my house (although I'm lucky and if I get denied I only have to walk one block to my place to drop off my gear). 

[F.O.Bean]

I have been told I can't bring my backpack in (Columbus, OH, Palace Theater)

I have had this happen at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA. Thats why I quit using a "backpack" and use a Mountainsmith "lumber pack". That was a nightmare having to carry everything in w/ my bare hands

[junkyardt]

1. Taper friendly bands almost always post something on their site. Print it out and bring with.

would be a phenomenal development if this were true! we could just delete the 'taping policies' section of this forum because there would never be uncertainty over a band's policy again. unfortunately, that's absolutely wrong. not sure what experiences you could've had that would even lead you to contemplate saying such a thing. perhaps if all you tape is the big-name taper-friendly acts that have well-publicized policies (Phish, Panic, Mule, moe, etc.) and tape nothing openly in small clubs, i guess you could see it that way. but 98% of bands won't bother to post anything about taping one way or the other anywhere, even if they are completely fine with every form of taping. research is usually required.

2. KNOW the name of the tour manager in advance and make contact via e-mail or whatever in advance. With the advent of social networking and websites you can ALWAYS reach the band before hand. Have a cell # handy if he or she will give it.

wow, you must've had some phenomenal taping experiences if this is the norm for you! finding out the name of the tour manager for some random small band days in advance of the show sure would be a convenient thing, but seems unlikely in most cases as it's usually not a job that is publicized anywhere. you can ALWAYS reach the band beforehand? what's the address of the taping utopia you live in? i'd like to move there. in reality, most bands have about 137 logistical things to think about at any given time while out on tour more important than accommodating a taper. even if you send an inquiry with plenty of time before the show (days, weeks), often no one will respond and it will come down to dealing with it on the night of the show.

[F.O.Bean]

1. Taper friendly bands almost always post something on their site. Print it out and bring with.

would be a phenomenal development if this were true! we could just delete the 'taping policies' section of this forum because there would never be uncertainty over a band's policy again. unfortunately, that's absolutely wrong. not sure what experiences you could've had that would even lead you to contemplate saying such a thing. perhaps if all you tape is the big-name taper-friendly acts that have well-publicized policies (Phish, Panic, Mule, moe, etc.) and tape nothing openly in small clubs, i guess you could see it that way. but 98% of bands won't bother to post anything about taping one way or the other anywhere, even if they are completely fine with every form of taping. research is usually required.

2. KNOW the name of the tour manager in advance and make contact via e-mail or whatever in advance. With the advent of social networking and websites you can ALWAYS reach the band before hand. Have a cell # handy if he or she will give it.

wow, you must've had some phenomenal taping experiences if this is the norm for you! finding out the name of the tour manager for some random small band days in advance of the show sure would be a convenient thing, but seems unlikely in most cases as it's usually not a job that is publicized anywhere. you can ALWAYS reach the band beforehand? what's the address of the taping utopia you live in? i'd like to move there. in reality, most bands have about 137 logistical things to think about at any given time while out on tour more important than accommodating a taper. even if you send an inquiry with plenty of time before the show (days, weeks), often no one will respond and it will come down to dealing with it on the night of the show.

VERY TRUE

But I'm lucky, damn near EVERY BAND I record is super cool w/ me taping, ranging from small bar bands to Phish/moe/etc.....The small bar bands I record know me well, and get me in the door to tape their opening set, even if the headlining band ISNT cool w/ taping(like Pnuma Trio on 4/2/09). I taped the Jazzam opening set, and then they made me lower my stand for Pnuma, what they DIDN'T KNOW was that my 722 has a STEALTH MODE, and the screen goes BLANK when recording. So I ended up pulling a good Pnuma set too Came out good as hell[even tho I was taping at about 4-5' high! I just pointed my mics upwards like I was way FOB at Phish or something, and got away w/ it For some strange reason, the taper gods were w/ me, because the venue wasnt even half full and NOONE was in front of my mics at ANY TIME during the whole frickin show They were about 10' in front of my mics, allowing my MBHO Hypers to come thru in the clutch once again. Felt weird to 'stealth' a band w/ a stand up and in the open

[acidjack]

^^ I have about a 95% success rate in getting band/mgmt responses (whether positive or negative).  It's not that difficult for MOST bands.  Of course, I'm not emailing U2 and asking if I can tape them.  That would drop the success rate some.