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Is attendance down at your gigs?
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Author:  mikebarefield [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:26 am ]
Post subject:  Is attendance down at your gigs?
Hey guys,

I've been so busy that I haven't been on for awhile. I did a search and didn't see this question asked; so, I thought I'd jump in. For the past 2 months, attendance at all of my shows has been down dramatically. There will be a periodic good night, but by and large, it's way down. Bar owners are telling me that it's down when I'm not there as well. The result, of course, is that I've lost a couple of gigs. Others have asked me to cut them a break on the price or shorten the show. The few local KJs with whom I've spoken are telling me that they're experiencing the same thing. I'd like to know whether it's national; so I'd appreciate your weighing in. Thanks.
Author:  Murray C [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Before I left NY at the end of October, there was a marked decline in the number of people attending karaoke at the bar I frequented. This may well have been due to people turning up previously, only to find there was no karaoke that night (Tuesday is karaoke night at this bar) because there was a baseball game on. Sometimes the impromptu cancellation of karaoke in this manner can annoy patrons who turn up to the extent that they will not go back the following week.

IMO, shortening the show could have a detrimental effect (depending on how short the show becomes). On one hand, people will get up and leave as soon as the show is over... less time in the bar = less money spent. On the other hand, people may just stop attending because they feel they don't get their night's worth.
Author:  mikebarefield [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I agree. Consistency is very important. Understand, though, that in my situation, the decline in patronage is clearly not the result of canceling an event or shortening the show; rather, the cancellation and shortening is the direct result of poor attendance. Guys like me (although many are reluctant to admit it) thrive on affirmation. I have been worried that I'm boring people or have simply hit the age where I'm not "kewl" anymore. Were it not for others in the area experiencing the same thing, I would be looking to throw in the towel. I think that given the noticeable decline over the past two months, though, that this has everything to do with the bad economy and the entertainment budget being the first item on the budget to get cut. I guess I'm looking for KJs to weigh in order to affirm that the downward trend is the result of the economical downturn and that it's not just me. :)
Author:  leopard lizard [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Can't claim a trend for ourselves as we are beginners and only 6 weeks into starting our first show. We had worked up from 4 singers to 15 then dropped to 9 last week and had to close 2 hours early but you can't tell a trend from one night. But one of our "regulars" told us last week that they have a really good time but that it is becoming more and more difficult to afford to come. A major employer just announced a layoff of 300 people and the holidays are coming so spending morale does seem a bit down and people are running scared.

The Friday hosts who have been there 7 years report that they have been getting more singers than usual lately (30 last week) but that people aren't staying as long and they are closing early also.

Don't feel like its hopeless. We are going to experiment with bringing in more modern songs and trying to get some new people in. Maybe people will try having fun closer to home instead of driving into the big city. We haven't advertised other than a sign outside the bar but we were tying to practice a bit before we really put ourselves out there so we still have options for building. But I'm betting things really won't pick up until after the holidays. This may be a weird time of year to determine a trend because people would normally be busy with shopping and travelling and parties elsewhere, anyway. So I tell myself........but yes, its scarey.
Author:  DannyG2006 [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Attendence has actually been up at my gigs.
Author:  Karen K [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I have to think that eventually the economic struggles this country is experiencing are going to start affecting everyone in one way or another. I know from talking to individuals and asking things like "Do you go out as often as you used to?" "Do you spend what you used to?" only confirms this. People can only pretend for so long that they're unaffected, and I think to a degree a certain percentage of the population are being minimally affected. With the holiday season approaching, many have said something will have to go and it's probably their weekly night out where they may spend only $100 but with only four weeks until the big day, that's $400 that they wouldn't have to spend on their family celebrations. Things are tight in our area, no doubt (northwest corner of Washington State) - HUGE job layoffs (WaMu and a lot of other companies) have people scrambling to find employment.

On the up side of this, when things get tough, people will do things like go out and sing for a few hours (endorphin release) even though they may not spend what they used to. Gambling, cigarettes, alcohol, espresso, and karaoke - all addictions, amen amen!
Author:  Bill H. [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Home room attendance has been off a bit the last few weeks. It's too early to tell if this is long term or not. It's a recent phenomenon.

Practically the whole room is employed at entry level jobs and I've been hearing stories about cut hours. So we could be like this for awhile.
Author:  Lonman [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Attendance has been down at ours as well, not only with karaoke but darts as well. A friend of mine works at the local casino & she said they do a head count every hour & one of them netted 189 in the building when normally they get up to 1000 at the same hour she counts.
Author:  leopard lizard [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I agree with Karen H as far as addictions being the last to go but that the holidays may put a crimp in things.

Forgot to mention for demographics purposes that we are in rural Nevada.

Have also mulled over the "age of Host" thing that OP mentioned because we are in our 50s and the sometimes addition of my boyfriend's young son seems to really raise the excitement level. But we know hosts in their 60s to 80s. I think you can be an older host as long as you can figure out a way to get some pretty young woman--uh--attending(?). I almost said something else.
Author:  Babs [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I think it has a lot to do with your specific area and what is happening.

I know what your saying about taking it personal. I had a few slow months, August & September. You always want to have good crowds to show that your doing your job. It's how we judge ourselves as KJs.

Lately the crowds have been a plenty with a random slow night here and there. My Saturdays are usually slower than the other nights. I think it is because the owner brings in a band once in a while on a Saturday. My people are karaoke diehards. If we don't have karaoke they go somewhere else for it or stay home. They don't like taking a chance of walking in the the door to find a band playing.

Things are really good now for me, but I was worried there for a while. Hang in there. It sounds like it is more the economy hurting you than anything. People I think are holding back from going out and are being conservative. They are scared that the economy will get worse and xmas is coming. Once xmas is over and the country seems more stable they'll return. People will always want to drink and have fun.
Author:  JoeChartreuse [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
mikebarefield @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:41 am wrote:
I agree. Consistency is very important. Understand, though, that in my situation, the decline in patronage is clearly not the result of canceling an event or shortening the show; rather, the cancellation and shortening is the direct result of poor attendance. Guys like me (although many are reluctant to admit it) thrive on affirmation. I have been worried that I'm boring people or have simply hit the age where I'm not "kewl" anymore. Were it not for others in the area experiencing the same thing, I would be looking to throw in the towel. I think that given the noticeable decline over the past two months, though, that this has everything to do with the bad economy and the entertainment budget being the first item on the budget to get cut. I guess I'm looking for KJs to weigh in order to affirm that the downward trend is the result of the economical downturn and that it's not just me. :)


Not just you. The economy, whether the media says so or not, is in a deep recession. Also, if smoking has been banned in your area, it's another big hit.

In NJ, virtually ALL the venues are feeling a pinch EVERY night, resulting in a LOT of closings or low priced sales of venues.

In my case, attendance has been up these past few weeks, but was down Tues & Weds. for awhile.

I will also add that, having been connected to the bar business my entire adult life, this is the first time I am unable to predict a trend. Too unstable out there.

To repeat: It's not you
Author:  GeminiMALE40 [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I have seen an increase at my shows ...but I do alot of foot work run radio, newspaper ads so I think that helps
Author:  lordairgtar [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
JoeChartreuse @ Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:08 pm wrote:
Not just you. The economy, whether the media says so or not, is in a deep recession. Also, if smoking has been banned in your area, it's another big hit.


Define "deep recession". You do know that a recession is two quarters of negative growth. Hasn't happened yet. It might, but not yet.
Author:  Lonman [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Well since Boeing went on strike for a couple months, that didn't help since alot of our singers work for or are directly related in some manner or another, now they are talking about striking again stating this new contract was not brought to the workers in a truthful manner or some bs like that.
Author:  mrscott [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I have four shows per week that I host, and at the one I have considered my "main" show, attendance has been sharply down. Not sure if its the economy or the fact that the owner raised his prices a huge amount. Would like to know what everyone is paying for a Bud Light,,,but that's another thread, I suppose. I used to draw a hundred or so to this show, but the last several weeks, only been in the 40's. The summers where I live are always slower than the rest of the year, and business usually increases as soon as cooler weather sets in. But, business at this show (forgot to mention, it's my Friday show), hasn't increased from my summer counts.

However, the other three shows, two are doing quite well, and the third is too new to tell. I also kept looking at myself, examining how I do things, and come to the conclusion,,,it's definitely NOT us,,,it's a sign of the times.
Author:  mrscott [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
I have four shows per week that I host, and at the one I have considered my "main" show, attendance has been sharply down. Not sure if its the economy or the fact that the owner raised his prices a huge amount. Would like to know what everyone is paying for a Bud Light,,,but that's another thread, I suppose. I used to draw a hundred or so to this show, but the last several weeks, only been in the 40's. The summers where I live are always slower than the rest of the year, and business usually increases as soon as cooler weather sets in. But, business at this show (forgot to mention, it's my Friday show), hasn't increased from my summer counts.

However, the other three shows, two are doing quite well, and the third is too new to tell. I also kept looking at myself, examining how I do things, and come to the conclusion,,,it's definitely NOT us,,,it's a sign of the times.
Author:  Lonman [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Did you create a thread.
Author:  timberlea [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
For the most part I'd say steady maybe up a bit. You still get the odd bad nightbut overall we can't complain.
Author:  Stratocaster [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Mine has been steady over the last few months.
:mrgreen:
Author:  Babs [ Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Is attendance down at your gigs?
Image

LMAO You look young for your age. Didn't you know smoking stunts your growth?
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