Key Points:
- The hot act is your guest so look after them - they are probably as shy of meeting you as you are of them!
- Always provide plenty of water and lay on a few towels in the dressing room
- Nominate a member of staff, or a volunteer to take responsibility for the rider
Make sure you have noted the requirements of the food rider (tech and food riders are sent ahead of schedule) and be generous in doing your best to accommodate. If budgets are tight let the tour manager know ahead of the show that you cannot provide 12 fluffy white kittens, or whatever indulgence is requested that you cannot supply. Better to be honest at the outset as this saves awkwardness and bad feeling on your gig night. A positive attitude to hospitality despite funding issues will be appreciated.
Do alert your tour manager and band if you know of travel difficulties and road closures. Attention to details counts for a lot. Artist arrival is from 12.30pm-5.30pm generally. Please welcome your hot act, management and crew warmly.
You will need to direct them to a warm, clean, room designated for their stay at the library and to organise a welcoming party of staff/volunteers to help unload equipment, direct them to the toilets and store any merchandise. On arrival you will need to provide:
- Plenty of bottled water
- Tea
- Coffee
- Milk
- Snacks
- Fruit
- Kettle
- Sugar
During and after the show
Again, if possible, always identify a friendly member of staff, or a young volunteer that can assist the band at your show - they will appreciate it and end up in most cases playing a great show and extolling the show in the media afterwards.
Be ready for a mass clear up once the hot act has said his or her goodbyes. There will be mess, so be prepared. Young bands are, by and large, “mucky pups” so employ young volunteers, or staff, who enjoy getting their hands dirty and the clear up can be fun and most importantly light work.
Be prepared for late finishes after the show. Occasionally your hot act will go out and eat after the show, leaving their equipment and personal belongings to return to in the library. This can be frustrating but avoidable if you are aware of their eating and dining timescales on the day. Again ensure enough staff are on duty to support the hospitality and ensure overtime payment issues or the paying back of time worked is discussed and considered before the event.
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Photo credit: Frances Ross