Can any touring pros offer me advice on a gig that is now FUBAR?

[BB Edwards]

OK so last week I was confirmed to do FOH on a tour by the band's TM, Production Manager and Band Management. Haven't heard a thing all week, then yesterday I get a cryptic message from the production mgr. (who is my contact and got me the gig) saying the band now 'needs more time to decide on their new FOH guy'. I don't want to delve into any further details at this time, but can anyone tell me what my legal rights are in this situation? There is no contract, BUT I have all correspondence in my email, confirming the gig, discussing pay, etc. What should I do?

Keep in mind this is no small time operation, this is a band on a major with big time management. Thanks in advance.

[fezel]

as annoying as it is i think its just really bad luck.
untill they sign a contract with you, or unless you can provide sufficient evidence that they guaranteed you payment and the gig, then you legally cant really do much.

try talking to your contact again, and see what you can get out of them

[BB Edwards]

Originally Posted by fezel

as annoying as it is i think its just really bad luck.
untill they sign a contract with you, or unless you can provide sufficient evidence that they guaranteed you payment and the gig, then you legally cant really do much.

try talking to your contact again, and see what you can get out of them

Well I without a question have sufficient evidence confirming the gig/pay. I would just tell them to get f'd, BUT I have gone through a lot of trouble just to free myself up to do the tour. I've given up all my local work for the next month to a fill in. I had a flight booked to visit a sick relative that I spent over $600 to reschedule so I could do the tour. You think there's any chance I can get them to reimburse me for that? Honestly that's what's REALLY got me steamed. My contact is fully aware of what I had to do to make myself available.

[equallyscrewed]

If there's no contract then technically they have not hired you, they just said they "might". On the other hand it doesnt sound like they've said no yet either.

Did the management ask you to re arrange everything? Or did you do it yourself without being told to by the management?

[DontLetMeDrown]

Probably not what you want to hear, but you should have signed a contract before cancelling your plans and giving your work away.

[BB Edwards]

How many times do I have to say I WAS CONFIRMED/HIRED! No might or maybe about it. They asked for my bank account info to set up payroll via direct deposit. Pay was discussed and agreed on. There is NO QUESTION I was hired. I know these guys. I was FOH for a band they OPENED for on a previous tour, and they liked my work enough to pay me extra every night to mix them. The whole problem exists because 1 band member who lives on cloud 9 thinks they should have a 'name' mixer since this is a headline tour. From what I am now hearing, he does childish shit like this all the time.

[DontLetMeDrown]

Originally Posted by BB Edwards

How many times do I have to say I WAS CONFIRMED/HIRED! No might or maybe about it. They asked for my bank account info to set up payroll via direct deposit. Pay was discussed and agreed on. There is NO QUESTION I was hired. I know these guys. I was FOH for a band they OPENED for on a previous tour, and they liked my work enough to pay me extra every night to mix them. The whole problem exists because 1 band member who lives on cloud 9 thinks they should have a 'name' mixer since this is a headline tour. From what I am now hearing, he does childish shit like this all the time.

Ya, no question you were hired. Now they have cancelled. Contracts help to avoid this type of situation.

Good luck.

[BB Edwards]

OK here's an update. I was just in contact with my guy in the camp. He is and has been extremely apologetic about the whole situation. He's already got things rolling to reimburse me for the $600+ for my changed flight. He and the tour manager are praying I'll still do the tour once said band member crashes back to reality. Said band member is still 'pissing in the wind' and thinks I am going to just wait around like a fool until he makes a decision. The tour starts next Tuesday. I told my guy that if they still want me to do the tour that I'll need a contract, AND informed him my rate just went up, and that if I don't get a contract by the end of they day I'm walking. Honestly I don't even want to go out with these clowns anymore, but I need the $$$$.

[Storyville]

Good for you. Hit em in the pocket.

[chrisso]

I've done quite a few tours and I always say you know you're doing the tour only when the lights go down on the first night.
There's never been very strong employment rights in the gigging side of the music business.
Powerful band members often make snap decisions, at the last minute, often stupid decisions, but they are the people who have the final say on most tours..... unless a manager (band, production, or tour) can persuade them of their foolishness.
The fact is, they've probably got the impression you need the money.
If you were hard to get hold of, or hard to persuade to do the work in the first place they might be treating you more professionally.
This is the unfortunate supply and demand side to the music biz.
Those who are in the most demand, are the ones with power.

[fezel]

Originally Posted by BB Edwards

OK here's an update. I was just in contact with my guy in the camp. He is and has been extremely apologetic about the whole situation. He's already got things rolling to reimburse me for the $600+ for my changed flight. He and the tour manager are praying I'll still do the tour once said band member crashes back to reality. Said band member is still 'pissing in the wind' and thinks I am going to just wait around like a fool until he makes a decision. The tour starts next Tuesday. I told my guy that if they still want me to do the tour that I'll need a contract, AND informed him my rate just went up, and that if I don't get a contract by the end of they day I'm walking. Honestly I don't even want to go out with these clowns anymore, but I need the $$$$.

tell us the band and the band member.

haha

good luck with it all tho. its very very frustrating when you feel like your onto a break, only to get dumped.

[plexisys]

In all my years of touring I never had a contract. I only ever had one act backout on the agreement. I don't know one major FOH or monitor mixer who has had or has a contract.

If someone backs out just walk away, keep your comments private. At a certain level this is a very, very small community. People will know what happened and see the act for what it is but you don't want to be bad mouthing anyone publicly. It will come back at you at some point.

[BB Edwards]

Originally Posted by plexisys

In all my years of touring I never had a contract. I only ever had one act backout on the agreement. I don't know one major FOH or monitor mixer who has had or has a contract.

If someone backs out just walk away, keep your comments private. At a certain level this is a very, very small community. People will know what happened and see the act for what it is but you don't want to be bad mouthing anyone publicly. It will come back at you at some point.

Same experience here. I've never had a contract for a tour. Anyways, the situation has been resolved. Mods, please close this thread. Thanks to all.