BEHIND THE SCENES WITH AFT - # 8 - SETTING UP

A month ago, AFT performed their 100th show, (not including the previous version of the band, before me, with a different lead singer) and 100 shows feels like a bookmark in my life.

Ready to unload

I can't believe we've done this 100 times.  One week before a show, I do, what we call, "the advance work", where I phone the promoter and we go over all the rider details and iron out the changes to the show. The promoter confirms the overnight accommodation and street addresses and how to get hotel keys.  The promoter will confirm the specific meal, which is when I often say, "Please, no lasagna". Haha!  Lasagna seems to be the easy-to-make meal and if I don't speak up, we'll be fed that at every show.

Advancing also includes the confirmation of a local crew to help unload and keep things moving and if we are not bringing production (sound and lights), then I'll connect with the local soundman about our stage requirements.  The end of the advancing concludes with, "If the stage is clear when we get there and dinner is on time", the entire show will run like clockwork.




Unloading into the venue

Here is a typical schedule:

• drive many hours to the show
• 2:20 - Arrive at venue
• 2:30 - Unload
• 3pm - Set up sound
• 4:15 - Set up lights
• 5pm - Soundcheck
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Devotion and prepare
• 7:45 - On stage
• 8:45 - Hang out at the merch booth
• 9:15 - Backstage debrief and snack
• 9:45 - Teardown
• 11:15 -Loadout



Davey setting up lights on trusses

• More driving many hours....

The schedule is consistent, although often we run ahead of schedule if there is load-in help from a local crew provided by the promoter. It's a contract requirement but less than half of the churches actually provide help.

As the various vehicles carrying the band arrives, the boys all pile into one vehicle to chat while I enter the venue to meet the promoter and do a walk through. This is one of my favourite parts of the show.

Evan Duran - Front Of House sound

One promoter looked at the checklist on my clipboard and joked, "The guy with the clipboard has all the power".  It's at that specific moment, I feel invincible. Throughout the show, (and I say this humorously)  - "the power" moves from person to person depending on the moment in question. 

Setting up the lighting trees

With the mighty clipboard in hand, the promoter and I discuss the various need-to-know details - location of the power panel, dressing room, meal room, washroom, approval to use fog (so we don't set off fire alarms), projection system, house lights, etc. With all of this information, I become the "411 guy" and we save the promoter from answering "where's the washroom" from 7 visitors.

Outside the venue, Robbert Vander Grift is unloading the trailer into the hands of the local crew. Robbert can lift an insane amount of gear, and I'm sure if the trailer ever gets a flat tire, Robbert will skip jacking it up and just lift it himself.

Front of house sound and lights - ready

Inside the venue, Pip Lucas is directing the local crew as to where to unload each piece of gear and dropping cables.  Assuming the stage is clear and there isn't left over music stands and Sunday service stuff lying around, the unload takes about 15 minutes.

Once the gear is in the venue, the six boys (band and soundman) work in silence. You'd think someone would turn on a boombox and blast a tune, but there's no music and not much talk. Things move orderly.

GI Holm sets up the backline (guitar amps), Evan Duran sets up the mixing board, Davey Hooper sets up guitars and lighting, Jordan and the local crew assemble the components of the drum riser that we bring to each show - and set up the kit.  In the lobby, I'm setting up the merch booth with a local crew member.

The guest list is given to the promoter and a local crew member will move the suitcases with all the stage clothes to the dressing room.

Robbert programming the angle of the lights

All of this happens in 2.5 hours before soundchecking, but with the help of the local crew, and if there's no crazy flight of stairs making load-in awkward, and we don't have to clear off a messy stage, we can be ready for soundcheck in 1.5 hours.

Often the youth pastor (who handles the booking and acts as the promoter) has said to the band during load-in, "You guys are really organized". I smile and say, "Ya, we've done this before". The promoter usually gets my sarcasm. Honestly, when the promoter commends the band for being organized, it sets the tone for a really positive night.


Going home.



Before soundcheck, a couple of local guys are recruited to help launch the Kabuki Rocket Launchers. These streamers will blow over the stage and shower the first few rows of the audience. The recruits are assigned a stage position, which they scramble to in the dark between songs.  We do a run through with unloaded cartridges and briefed on the musical cue. Usually the local guys are excited to participate in a part of the show that is ... well... explosive.

About this time, GI is usually asking for food. "When's dinner, Dad?" he'll ask.

The soundcheck scheduled for 5pm often comes early, allowing the band time to relax and talk to the local crew. If there is an opening act, we spend more time with them. Sometimes the auditorium presents unique issues with feedback and extra time is spent trying to locate the source of feedback.
As per the plan, dinner arrives at 6pm, we do devotions together and pray for the show, and the rest of the night unfolds like clockwork. Unless there's a technical problem, which is what makes every show - unique and memorable.

For another perspective on "behind the scenes", read the blog by LIFE 100.3's Program Director Steve Jones who joined the crew for a day.