Lots happening out there this month, but nothing that I am inspired enough about for a whole 700-word column. So, let's do a collection of short bits, shall we?
The Squeeze Is, Apparently, On
A few months back, we talked about the consolidation at the top end of the live event audio world and how it might result in a squeeze on mid-sized providers. It seems like that vise is beginning to tighten. In just the past couple of weeks, I have heard about some mid-sized companies that are struggling, and rumors of ballooning deficits are running rampant. At the same time, word on the street is that some of the big boys are tightening the screws. One regional provider looking to move up into the touring world said that he had been told that one national company "will not be under-bid. If I bid $100, they will come in at $50." But throwing your weight around only works while you have the bulk to pull it off. I was reminded of this the hard way about a month ago while loading a trailer–by myself, again–after a gig. Trying a leverage maneuver I had used in the past to heft some heavy powered cabs, I found myself on my butt and thankful that the cab had not fallen on top of me. The move that worked when I weighed 320 lbs was not doable with me at 185. In the same spirit, I told that same regional provider that I had heard another soundco who, after bidding on a tour, was told by someone at one of the big national companies, "When I want you to have a tour, you'll have a tour." It did not go over well. I think his response was something along the lines of "them's fightin' words."
A bit of caution: Just like General Motors once dominated the auto world and made sure every one of its competitors knew it, a big sound company may think that they are just too big to be affected by anything that anyone lower on the food chain might do. But look at GM now. Can you say, "Oh, how the mighty have fallen"? And few (except those at GM) are mourning the fall. Just something to mull over…
The Desert Sounds Damn Good
I have finally made the move to Las Vegas and, aside from the fact that moving and unpacking are two very different things, all is going well. Have been to a couple of shows, met some very cool audio types and plan to continue that trend. One thing is quite sure–there is a hell of a lot going on as far as live sound and theatrical installs go in that corner of the world. The latest temple of excess, the Wynn, is putting on a Cirquestyle show that is, once again, pushing the production envelope pretty hard. Maureen Droney spent mondo time navigating the personalities and politics to tell us all about the audio end of the show in this issue. I got to visit the SPL shop to take some pics, and am still trying to score actual tix for La Rêve so I can see if it is as cool as it sounds.
But it is not just the huge spectaculars. Vegas is becoming the production hub for the western United States, and there is not a touring act of any importance that does not make a stop there. In the first week I was in town, I checked out shows by acts ranging from Rick Springfield to Hootie and the Blowfish to Robert Plant. (Where I was not able to talk with the FOH or MON mixers because someone from another "magazine" had been at the show the night before and was such a pain that they were boycotting the press. But I did have a good chat with Thunder Audio crew chief Keith Jex that you will get to read all about next month.)
What's more, it seems that every little pub in town (and in Las Vegas, there is one in just about every 10-square-block neighborhood) has live music. It really is a lively mix and my family and I are digging it so far. Even the heat ain't so bad. (Whaddaya think A/C is for?)
Hmmm, Who Should I Nominate?
Nominations for the 2005 Parnelli Awards are heating up, and if you have someone you think is worthy, you need to log on to www.parnelliawards.com/nominate.php. These are OPEN nominations. Do you get what I am trying to say here? How can I put this? OK, it's like this–if the nominations come out and you think you deserve one, but don't see your name on the list, then you have no one to blame but yourself. Get it?
Tips and Tricks
We started a feature in PLSN a few months back where we asked readers for little tricks of the trade that they might be willing to share. The results have been good–when we get 'em. (My personal fave is wrapping 10 feet or so of gaff tape around an old credit card and keeping it in your pocket for emergencies when a roll of the stuff ain't at hand. And yes, there is one in my man-purse.) Anyway, let's show the squints that we can do better. Got a good work tip? Send it to me at bevans@fohonline.com, and we'll shoot a pic and run it if it's good enough. And it's worth a T-shirt or some other swag we can dig up.
Well, I am over that 700-word hurdle. Time to head home (actually to my in-laws place, where I am staying while I am back in SoCal for final production of FOH and PLSN) in time to catch my fave new guilty pleasure: Rock Star: INXS. Come on, don't try to tell me you're not into it. Cheesy, but cool. Kind of like some of the shows in my new place of residence…
