Typical day being a roadie...

[yin_yang]

i'm wondering what they do while they are on the road, during the show, and how long it takes to set up when they get to a new venue...anyone know?

:ggoat

[DMBRoadCrew]

Well, here you go:

For a normal day:

8:00am, Lights and Catering load in.
10:00am Sound loads in.
11:00am Video loads in.
12:00am Band gear loads in.
3:00pm Final tune up and focus of all systems
4:00pm or so: soundcheck
5:00pm doors open and opening band soundchecks
7:00pm Opening act hit the stage
7:45 to 8:05 changeover to DMB
8:20 or so: DMB hits the stage
11:00pm show ususally ends, stuff starts to pack
11:30 Band gear is packed on the truck
12:15 Sound and video are packed on the truck
12:30 Catering is packed on the truck
1:30 to 1:45 am Lights are packed on the truck and everything is done

how's that for a working day?
Now, that doesn't mean that we are working 100% of the time. We try to get three square meals, and have some rest here and there...but that's our basic schedule.

-crew

[seekup41nancies]

Well, here you go:

For a normal day:

8:00am, Lights and Catering load in.
10:00am Sound loads in.
11:00am Video loads in.
12:00am Band gear loads in.
3:00pm Final tune up and focus of all systems
4:00pm or so: soundcheck
5:00pm doors open and opening band soundchecks
7:00pm Opening act hit the stage
7:45 to 8:05 changeover to DMB
8:20 or so: DMB hits the stage
11:00pm show ususally ends, stuff starts to pack
11:30 Band gear is packed on the truck
12:15 Sound and video are packed on the truck
12:30 Catering is packed on the truck
1:30 to 1:45 am Lights are packed on the truck and everything is done

how's that for a working day?
Now, that doesn't mean that we are working 100% of the time. We try to get three square meals, and have some rest here and there...but that's our basic schedule.

-crew
You guys make it all happen, keep up the good work!!
-Kev

[blakers81]

I don't know about any DMB roadies but I've worked with over a dozen differnet shows as local crew, ie. roadie for the day.
So the band will typically roll into town somewhere around 8am. The tour manager and the house manager have a meeting to finalize any last minute changes. Then the roadies all come out meet the local crew and we begin unloading the trucks. After things are unloaded set up begins. This goes from 8-12 ish. Now some of the local crew is cut and the rest of us take lunch from a catering staff, sometimes the venue provides sometimes the band. So after lunch we get back to work focusing lights. After lights typically comes sound. It's called making noise. This is a little crazy. It sounds like static. Horrible white noise kind of like a hot air balloon. It's really loud and goes on for a little while. This checks the speakers before they start testing individual mic sound levels. Little set up like this goes on throughout the afternoon. Then sometime there's supper and sound check with the band. Then everybody hangs out. During the show there may or may not be much to do. If there's video and lots of effects that aren't automatic then the roadies are busy. Otherwise it's just the audio and lighting techs. working the booths. Plus maybe a guitar tech, who will switch instruments for the band and then retune everything sidestage before it goes back out. After the show the band goes out and load out is basically the opposite of load in. It runs from 11-3 (generic times). Then the trucks are loaded the roadies get back on theie bus and travel with the semis to the next town. So other than afternoon naps these guys don't get a lot of sleep and little respect. They have a fun job, IMO, but I don't think I could do it for more than a few weeks straight. Some tours these guys live for days off. It can be very taxing but it's also a lot of fun. The backstage atmosphere is great. And for anyone who thinks rock-n-roll is dead I promise you it's not. Everybody's just a little more quiet about their lifestyles.

hope this sheds some light on your question

[Dan5290]

Well, here you go:

For a normal day:

8:00am, Lights and Catering load in.
10:00am Sound loads in.
11:00am Video loads in.
12:00am Band gear loads in.
3:00pm Final tune up and focus of all systems
4:00pm or so: soundcheck
5:00pm doors open and opening band soundchecks
7:00pm Opening act hit the stage
7:45 to 8:05 changeover to DMB
8:20 or so: DMB hits the stage
11:00pm show ususally ends, stuff starts to pack
11:30 Band gear is packed on the truck
12:15 Sound and video are packed on the truck
12:30 Catering is packed on the truck
1:30 to 1:45 am Lights are packed on the truck and everything is done

how's that for a working day?
Now, that doesn't mean that we are working 100% of the time. We try to get three square meals, and have some rest here and there...but that's our basic schedule.

-crew
Any chance you could come on here and tell us what songs the boys soundcheck every day? Or you could just IM me, my screename's in my sig. ;)

[yin_yang]

Wow, I can't beview an actual crew member answered this. Jeez, that's about 5 or 6 hours of sleep most days i guess. Good job guys.

[mihighdavehead]

Well, here you go:

For a normal day:

8:00am, Lights and Catering load in.
10:00am Sound loads in.
11:00am Video loads in.
12:00am Band gear loads in.
3:00pm Final tune up and focus of all systems
4:00pm or so: soundcheck
5:00pm doors open and opening band soundchecks
7:00pm Opening act hit the stage
7:45 to 8:05 changeover to DMB
8:20 or so: DMB hits the stage
11:00pm show ususally ends, stuff starts to pack
11:30 Band gear is packed on the truck
12:15 Sound and video are packed on the truck
12:30 Catering is packed on the truck
1:30 to 1:45 am Lights are packed on the truck and everything is done

how's that for a working day?
Now, that doesn't mean that we are working 100% of the time. We try to get three square meals, and have some rest here and there...but that's our basic schedule.

-crew
DMB road crew :hug
Thank you for making it all happen :cool:
Keep up the great work. Sound and lighting is better than ever :monkey

[sonicdmb41]

Hey DMBROADCREW thanks alot for making all the shows happen and the hard work :thumbsup

[EatSleepJeep]

We stayed at the same hotel as the roadies for Comerica '01. One of them played the bagpipes in the parking lot while a couple of others shot off fireworks. Looked real tiring. Then they drank with us, and one of them stole my buddies camera. Joke was on him though, the camera didn't work. These roadies didn't work the actual shows though, they were the set-up and teardown guys for the stadium equipment. The band travels with a smaller group for amphitheatres and indoor venues, as there isn't as much equipment for the smaller venues.

[OCMarsh]

...And they still have time to answer our lame questions!!!

You guys do amazing work, keep it up!

[Dan5290]

DMB road crew :hug
Thank you for making it all happen :cool:
Keep up the great work. Sound and lighting is better than ever :monkey
:thumbsup

[mattymatt166]

where do i sign up, my life long dream is to become a roading on TEAM DMB, sure im only a junior in high school but i think id change majors over this job

[hobbesthecat]

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DMB CREW!!!! try to put in a good word for JTR @ SPAC, I know it's a long shot....

[Saygoodbye41]

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DMB CREW!!!! try to put in a good word for JTR @ SPAC, I know it's a long shot....

I have absolutely no idea how I would react if JTR is played.. I would either be yelling uncontrollably or speechless:p

Oh yes, and excellent job road crew, you are what keeps this whole process going and I'm very thankful DMB tours as much as they do!

[dmbfan25]

The entire DMB road crew rocks, you help make it all happen, keep up the great work!!

[Gregb486]

holy shit that was cool!

[siouxsiesue]

how's that for a working day?

-crew



where do i sign up?

:)

[DMBTX10101]

Well, here you go:
....
how's that for a working day?
Now, that doesn't mean that we are working 100% of the time. We try to get three square meals, and have some rest here and there...but that's our basic schedule.

-crew

Wow, was anyone else surprised to see an answer from a road crew member?? First off, thanks a ton for getting everything set up, you have the dream job of many, and you do it better than anyone could ever imagine.

Second, thanks for taking the time to answer, I always thought that someone from the band probably kept an eye on these boards, and now we know that someone does . . . so I guess our pleas for JTR won't go completely unnoticed.

Finally, I have to say thanks again, and if you have any extra time (asking for a lot here), let us know how life is on the road as a DMB Roadie, and with DMB themselves, we can imagine, but only the people who are there really know the truth.

:thumbsup :thumbsup

Tex

[timg1414]

hell of a job makes my day look easy

[dkaye315]

definitely gives you a greater appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work the guys do to make it all happen! :thumbsup