Launch Night - Behind The Scenes

At the Native.tv launch night gig in Portsmouth, some of us couldn't run around drinking because we had work to do. Sigh...

Words - Suzy Sims
Previously published on Native.tv http://www.native.tv/ in Jan 07
(c) Niche News & Publishing Ltd

BEHIND THE SCENES

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a gig? Here are a few snippets from the Native launch.

1530
It’s mid-afternoon in Portsmouth and very windy indeed. The bands and various Native staff have been arriving at the Guildhall over the last few hours to make sure everything is set up and running smoothly. Everyone who comes to the gig will receive a free CD – ‘Take It’ sung by Rich Sanders, who is performing tonight in Before We Left. The Native team are busy sticking competition leaflets inside each CD.

15 hours (or so it feels) and several million CDs later
This could take a while…

1550
Three-and-a-half hours until the show starts and the bands are wandering on stage, instruments in hand. No, they’re not unfashionably early; it’s time to soundcheck. Bit of a stripy dress code going on. Meanwhile in the background, some fool appears to have put a Shakira CD on.

1600ish
Sheilatakeabow come to help with the CD/leaflet mountain. Happily for them we’re finished. They timed that very well, the scamps.

1630
Before We Left are the first band to properly soundcheck. It’s taken a while to set everything up, and although they had some trouble hearing the bass vocals they’re very happy.

1639
The Native team are doing ‘Little Britain’ impressions down the walkie-talkies. Meanwhile, the camera teams are in front of the stage, getting their first shots.

1643
The animated screen background is turned on and works successfully.

1644
Jaimison are soundchecking. Someone is playing eerie church bell chimes on the keyboard amongst other noises. “We’re not Sum 41,” someone else yells.

1652
The techies are trying out the animated screen to see if it all works properly. ‘Native Presents… Sheilatakeabow’ it says, right above Jaimison’s heads. They look mildly aghast.

1700
“Yeah, that was quite good,” say Jaimison, and it’s Run Riviera’s turn. Now the tech crew are playing with the lights which flash on and off different colours. It’s all looking a bit more rock star.

1725
Sheilatakeabow are the last band to soundcheck, and they’re happy with the way it goes. It’s moving far quicker now all the basic equipment has been set up. The bands are sharing, so there should be fast changeovers between sets.

1735
Up goes the security barrier, piece by piece. A few of Native’s youthful (ahem) team disappear to get sticky green wristbands. Without these, you won’t get served alcohol, and that would not go down well at all.

1805
Where’s Rich Sanders gone? Turns out he’s left his acoustic at home and has made a quick trip back to get it.

1820
A sheepish Rich returns. The bands have disappeared, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ style, to get food/visit the pub. The Native team send an office monkey out to buy a dozen slight variations on one sandwich (one with mayo, one without, one without peppers…)

1845
Doors open. There’s time for a few brief insults down the walkie-talkies, then the Native team arm themselves with clipboards, pens and CDs. Even the staff member who has come all the way from the London office has been roped into helping out.

1900
Looks like it’s raining out. Either that or the majority of ticketholders have just fallen in the harbour. Everyone is dripping their way in. Free CDs are being thrust in faces from all angles by Native staff having a competition to see who can give the most away first.

1930
From the entrance we can just hear the lovely Carly Lane on stage. She works at Quay Radio and is presenting the show tonight. There’s time for a quick competition reminder and a warning that the show is being recorded (both sound and video), so behave yourselves in case you end up on the internet. The prizes tonight are a £75 HMV voucher and a £50 Waitrose voucher, of which Carly’s script suggests you spend on “whatever you like… 50 packets of biscuits, 1000 mushrooms or a rock star concoction of varied hard liquor.”

1935
On come Sheilatakeabow. By the screaming it sounds like they are impressing a lot of people. A large number of the crowd can’t quite believe singer Oli is only 14; his voice sounds far more mature.

2005
Sheilatakeabow come off stage one by one, and everyone looks triumphant but very tired. Native chats to bassist Darryl about their set and how he found it. “Tiring. Good experience. Quite a lot of people, and it was fun.” The band has been at the Guildhall all day, are they sticking it out to see the others? “Of course!”

Drummer Tom is sat outside getting some fresh air while the organisers run around shouting “Drummer! Clear your equipment off the stage!” Who have we bumped into? Sheilatakeabow’s street team, aka Luke, Callum and Rob. “We were in the mosh pit for ‘Addicted’,” says Callum, “and it was really good… then we had to wrestle some girl for Tom’s drumsticks. It was a proper laugh.”

“Some girl hit me as she was coming out the pit, and it’s like the most female contact I’ve had in years,” said Luke. “So I advise anyone who doesn’t get any loving to go to a Sheilatakeabow concert, because it’s the best place.”

2010
Native spots a fellow member of staff. It’s Project Manager Robbie, who was largely responsible for organising tonight. How is he feeling? A bit less nervous now the first band has finished? “No,” he says, and laughs. “Because I’m that panicked, I don’t know what to say!” He’s had butterflies in his stomach for at least the last week, but he’s pleased at the way everything’s going. “What about that for a start!”

2015
Back to handing out some more CDs before Run Riviera take the stage. They look like they’re enjoying themselves. It’s actually the band’s first public performance with their current line up - singer Dave is a recent recruit.

2055
Native waits around to speak to Run Riviera. Unfortunately they all escaped off the other side of the stage and managed to avoid a probing interview. They looked exhausted and happy.
The crowd is casual but friendly. Everyone is stood around watching, or chatting in little groups. There’s a good vibe in the room (yeah, cool man).

2058
Someone has stolen a Native walkie-talkie and is shouting ‘Knickers!’ down it. Luckily it’s too loud for anyone to hear.

2100
Rich Sanders goes on with his acoustic to perform ‘Take It’. “This is the one on your free CD,” the Native team tell anyone within earshot, and we hand out some more. If you missed the gig or mislaid your copy, you can download it from his MySpace.

2105
Who’s this? It’s Jon of Fareham, who won himself four tickets to tonight’s show in our caption competition. Is he having a good night? The answer is a resounding yes. “Can I go backstage?” No, Jon.“Why not?” Because you don’t have an Access All Areas pass.“Can I have a pass?” No.“Why not?” We ask what on earth he wants to go backstage for. There’s just a room with some coats in it. Even the bands aren’t in there.

2130
Jaimison are on stage and fiddling with their instruments. “This is our last song,” they announce before they’ve even started. The band are certainly lively, running around the stage in all directions and bantering with each other. Certainly the most talkative act of the night, and the crowd loves it.

2200
Time for the text competition to be drawn. Everyone gets their phone out while Carly calls the winners to tell them they’ve won a £50 Waitrose voucher or a £75 HMV voucher. “Oh, someone’s just hung up on me,” she says. Eventually both manage to get up on stage and claim their prizes. Hurray, and well done to the pair of you.

Apparently some people were worried that sending a text would result in them receiving hundreds of ringtones and being charged a lot for the privilege. We’d like to reassure you that didn’t happen here. We set the number up so only one text confirming your entry was sent and we don’t have access to ringtones or phone subscriptions. We also haven’t kept a record of the numbers who texted in, so you won’t receive any further messages from us. Relax!

2220
Before We Left are the last band to take the stage. The crowd moves forward to hear their punk rock, with a large number gaining excellent views from the barrier. The crowd are bathed in blue lighting from the stage and are pretty worked up; some moshing/fighting results in a couple of people being dragged away by security.

2235
A few members of the Native team are heckling. “We love you Rich!” They’ve forgotten the show is being recorded. “Er thanks. This is a public place. I love you too. I love all of you,” Rich says.

2245
Before We Left come off stage. “Oh, it was quality,” they say. “Still buzzing, although we messed a few up!”

“If you listen to all the songs, I think all of them have mistakes,” one of them says. If they’re good mistakes, you could keep them in next time, we suggest. “Maybe,” they say, not entirely convinced.

How was the crowd? “They was banging! A bit of dancing going on at some point… it was good stuff.”

Wasn’t there a bit of a fight? “But that’s what it’s all about. Although I wouldn’t say rock music, we weren’t like drinking beer and smoking…”

Did you hear Native shouting ‘We love you!’ “Yeah, we did,” says Rich. We blame a male member of staff who will remain anonymous. Rich thinks it was him as well, “which worries me a tiny bit.”

2300
We have another chat with competition winner Jon, shortly before security shove us out into the corridor. “We are being thrown out of the Guildhall…”

So, is Jon having a good time? Yes he is. “By the way, we didn’t get a backstage pass.” Here we go again… “I’m a bit miffed, all competition winners in future should get a backstage pass.”
But you still enjoyed yourself? “Just about. Without a backstage pass.” Sigh.

2301
Jon is given a box and instructed to carry it up to the backstage area. As promised, it’s a room with some coats in it and no band members, but he’s still impressed. Even more so when we walk across the stage to leave the venue.

2315
The Boss is also impressed – he can hear people driving home with ‘Take It’ playing in their cars. Free CDs – they’re not all meant to be used as coasters, you know.

It’s been a busy night and a tiring day. But we’re already planning our next event. Any suggestions or comments would be very welcome. Thanks to all the bands, the crews and anyone who bought a ticket and had fun! Looking forward to seeing you all next time…