Talk:Shows/2010-02-07b
I very much enjoy the "one off" shows that are not part of a tour. With the band not having to worry about getting ready to do the same thing in another town or city the next day, they always seem more relaxed and genuinely enjoying themselves. With these four shows in one venue, this show did not disappoint in that regard. Oddly enough, the Coronet theater itself made for one of the more surreal experiences I've had at a Giants show.
The deal with the set lists is something I have mixed feelings about. While I find it very uncool to jump up onto the stage to go after a set list, I don't really feel it's a crime if the set list is within arms reach. This was what happened with the incident VanishingDot and Clayton mention. As for myself, if I want a set list bad enough, I'll politely ask the crew for one, but in the event of the Coronet, there was no opportunity for anyone to do that due to the attitudes of the overzealous employees. With this being the last show, word seems to have gotten out before hand that being polite would get you nowhere.
For those who were not there:
The set list in question was one that Linnell and Flans were working off of, affixed to the illuminated clip board, perched on top of Linnell's keyboard. As intimate as the Coronet is, reaching up and taking that set list was no big matter, and I really don't see the harm if someone took a piece of paper that had served it purpose and was now, no doubt, headed for the rubbish bin.
Please understand that the Coronet is most definitely not The House of Blues or any place similar. VanishingDot pretty much nailed it describing it as a "somewhat mannered" venue. As strict as the HOB can be at times, the Coronet makes the HOB look like a prison riot. The "Hyper Vigilante" staff expects everyone to remain in their seats during the entire performance. If you should have to exit the theater during the performance, you will not be readmitted. No cell phones or cameras(understandable). All well when considering how at some shows how distracting fellow audience members can be. However, I've yet to attend a TMBG show where my enjoyment was diminished by anyone coming or going, or having a cell phone or camera out taking photos. My impression is that, even after the first three performances by the band, the venue still had no idea what to expect with a TMBG performance.
The "Hyper Vigilante" behavior I myself witnessed by the staff were.....
adding to the commentary of VanishingDot and Clayton, the staff member violently snatched away the set list from the "thief" then proceeded to scold him as if he was dealing with a five year old. The staff member then proceeded to scold me when I attempted to nicely ask a crew member for a set list. As small as the Coronet is, it took only minutes to clear out the
last remaining patron. When that was done, this crew member verbally expressed his displeasure with the crowd and then didn't just close and lock the double doors shut, HE SLAMMED them shut. All of this sent the very clear and audible message that he was not pleased with the "anarchy" that had he had been witness to. Aside from the set list, I suspect that this staff member may have been set off when Flans asked everyone to get up out of their seats and come up to the stage.
Before the show, a member of my party was admonished by staff for checking the time on her cell phone. She was told that her phone would be confiscated if she did so again(?). Yes, we understand! No cell phones. We get it! But jeez, this was fifteen minutes before the show was set to start and folks were still coming in, milling about and chatting.
I think you may be overreacting to some of the stuff. The bit with your friend getting scolded 15 minutes before showtime is unacceptable behavior on their part. The bit with the scolding of you for asking a crew member for the set list is also unacceptable. (If you want people to show courtesy, you can't yell at people when they're trying to be courteous.)
However, I think the other bits may be a little bit colored by your other experiences. For example, I highly doubt that they were upset at the "anarchy" that TMBG incited due to Flans calling the crowd up to the front. After all, we kind of spontaneously rushed the stage the night before when TMBG went into "The Guitar".
I think the pictures bit is less about audience distraction and more about them trying to be a really safe place for artists to put on a great show, interact with the audience, and not worry about the clips ending up on Youtube the following night. Also, I'm going to point out again that the scolding doesn't just happen at the Largo, it also happens at the other smaller venues like the Echoplex and such.
As far as not being let back in if you leave mid-show, that's not the case. You just have to re-enter through the rear door on the left side of the theater. (We were told this at the previous night's show.)
Just out of curiosity, was the guy getting on your case the younger guy in the dark shirt with the glasses? He was kind of being a jerk the entire night, from manning the ticket gate to the rest of the show. It may just be that you had an experience with one bad egg on the staff who was drunk with power.
Personally, I like the setup of the venue. However, I don't really like the way they handle business. No electronic payments, having to come back to the place on two different occasions, (This is a huge pain driving up from OC. I have to drive up to get there in time to get a good seat and find decent parking. Then I have to find some place to eat within walking distance, and then I have to kill 45 more minutes before the show starts.) and the incredibly mediocre bar just do not do it for me. I thought this would be a nice change of venue for TMBG since it would allow them to sell downloads of the show (which the HOB wouldn't let them do.) but given that I don't see a download link for the show, that's not even a benefit. Maybe the Giants should try booking the Wiltern next time they're in town?
Interesting discussion, guys. I'm glad we have a place here to discuss what happened.
First off: Clayton, yes, it was the guy in the black shirt and glasses. My girlfriend said it had a Largo logo on it, so I can only assume he was a staff member.
Caustic, I am in complete agreement with your analysis of what happened with the kid who took a set list. I've been to 13 TMBG shows spanning 16 years and I have never once seen a fan treated like that by a venue staff member. (I have, however, seen far worse treatment of fans in general. I witnessed the Coachella pepper spray incident firsthand last summer. But I digress...)
I personally own quite a few set lists from TMBG shows I've seen. I can't ever remember just walking up and nicking one, but I have seen it done by others and I've never seen any venue staff member or crew member react in the way in which I witnessed on Sunday. There have been many times where I've asked for a set list after seeing someone come out on stage and they are usually pretty happy to oblige. One time, Danny Weinkauf even came out on stage and handed out some set lists and guitar pics.
Granted, I did not realize that the set list nicked by the kid at the Largo had been sitting on Linnell's synth. I suppose that does make things a little bit different. (Caustic, are you sure that's where it was? I thought it was on the floor. I could very well be wrong. Then again, the kid was REALLY tall and would not have had to jump on stage to get it. I certainly don't remember him struggling to take it.)
Here's my recollection of events:
I moved to the front of the stage after the show finished and was hoping to get a set list from a crew member, the same procedure I have gone through for every TMBG show I've ever seen. I was talking to my girlfriend and peripherally saw the tall kid reach for the set list and get it. The next thing I know, the overzealous staff member comes running out on stage, grabs the set list right out of the kid's hand and yells "what the f--- do you think you're doing?" The kid was baffled and took a minute to say "a set list?" I tried to placate the situation a bit and chimed in with, "we just want set lists." The guy took a second and said to the kid, "you know what? You're out of here!" As the kid walked out, the staff member said to the rest of us, rather rudely, "you know, I dunno what you all are standing here for, the guys wouldn't come out this way anyway." The staff member definitely had a bad attitude and I've been trying to find a way to complain to the Largo management.
Now I'd been to several shows at the old Largo (this was my first at the new Coronet location), and I am perfectly fine with the strict rules. In fact, I like that conversations during the show are discouraged, and that the use of cell phones and cameras is prohibited. It's nice to have at least one venue where patrons are encouraged to come and actually watch the show and respect the performers. But this staff member's behavior was way out of line in proportion to the "crime" perpetrated, as far as I'm concerned. (The "crime" here being merely grabbing a photocopied piece of paper off the stage.) Clayton, you mentioned that he had a bad attitude all night and I'm wondering what else you witnessed.
I can understand if the staff member was just guarding their equipment (after the incident, he stood in front of the guys' effects pedals, with arms folded), but we're talking about a piece of paper. And TMBG fans are probably the most harmless fans in the world. This wasn't a Staind concert.
On a semi-related note, Clayton, I've been to the Echoplex (I saw The Bird and The Bee there) and had absolutely no problems. In fact the band came out afterward to greet folks and take pictures with people. Maybe I just had the fortune of going on a good night.
By the way, Caustic, I think I entered the Largo right behind you. I remember hearing the guy at the gate flipping out about cell phones.
Anyhow, I too am hoping that this was indeed just one man's bad behavior. However, I think it needs to be said that this particular staff member needs to find a new line of work...preferably one that does not entail dealing with the public.
Conversely, if this incident is just a typical example of the staff behavior at the new Largo, they'll never be getting another dime from me.
Clayton: While you may think that I’m over reacting, let me just say that I’m really not all that upset as to what what happened. In fact, after further reflection, I find the whole thing rather comical. As to my recall of the evening’s events having color added, there are reasons I won’t go into here as to why I wrote what I did.
Dot: Thanks for having such a good memory. Yes, it was the set list on the synth. I was seated front row center, directly in front of Linnell. When Flans invited everyone to get up out of their seats, I took note that it was the only set list even close to the front of the stage. The Largo seems to be suitable for the kids shows, but I'd have to say it's a bit strained for the adult ones. Never the less, now that I know what to expect, if I had the opportunity to do it over again at the Largo, I’d still make the trek up from San Diego.
Glad I could help. BTW, I contacted The Largo's webmaster last week asking where I could file a complaint with management. I've received no response so far and am not very hopeful about getting one. Their website has virtually no contact information, which is rather irritating. I'm getting the sense that they do not care about their clientele very much.
- --We should at least give them credit for being consistent-CaptainCaustic, 2/15
Caustic: The overreacting bit was just in regards to the description of the doors being SLAMMED, etc. :)
Vanishing Dot: I'll also back up Caustic's assertion that the setlist was on Linnell's synth. I knew where it was, because I was going to ask for it if the kid hadn't reached over and gotten scolded. I remember the rest of that entire incident pretty much as you do, actually, though I do remember someone in between trying to call out to someone else on staff backstage, and the guy in black responding derisively, "What? Who are you looking for back there?"
The last venue I'd seen someone get yelled at was actually the Echoplex, when some guy tried to grab a setlist from the stage that was taped to the ground. I'd always figured it was something you should ask for, and that experience solidified that mindset for me. (Granted, this is also probably why I've gotten a grand total of 0 set lists ever.) The fact that the set this time was on Linnell's synth meant that it was something that guy should have definitely asked for, in my opinion. Stuff gets knocked over doing the simplest of tasks. When you're trying to do it quickly and surreptitiously, those odds only increase. If that synth gets knocked over, that would have been incredibly bad. Had the security guy cared THAT MUCH, though, he should have been there from the beginning, instead of being the lazy overreacting guy.
Anyway, when I got to the front of the gate to get my assigned seating, several of the people in front of me headed back and were muttering things about the guy in the glasses getting snippy with them, and how he must think he's a real tough guy for trying to bully polite TMBG fans. I didn't personally have any interaction with him at that point, because the gate opened, and I partook of the Mediocre Bar's offerings.
- Clayton: Everything I said happened as I reported it. As I was standing only ten feet away from the doors, I got the message loud and clear. No need for exaggeration. From the slamming of the doors, to the vocalized displeasure that proceeded it. This character seems to be suffering from Little Big Man syndrome. Making for good, Barney Fife like comic relief. -CaptainCaustic, 2/18
Good discussion, guys. I think we all pretty much ended up on the same page here. And just in case anyone is wondering, I've still not received a reply from The Largo. Figures.
Withered Hope[edit]
Regarding its placement on the setlist.
The Vanishing Dot: Someone moved this to the encore set. I don't think that's correct...but I could be wrong.
Brocktune: This is when they played it, trust me. I was screamin it right in Linnell's face, which would have been impossible had it been that early in the set as we were all seated then.
The Vanishing Dot: Cool. Should we delete our discussion here then, to tidy things up?
