Re: Sound Provider Refusing Band Engineer?
You would think, right? Seems as though many band "engineers" are buddies with the drummer's cousin or something, couldn't mix paint, and will "work" for free beer and just to be in show business. I agree about the numbers, there doesn't seem to be enough qualified people or enough $$$ to hire competent people. Five years ago, you could do a weekend festival on an A stage and the headliners would have a BE. Now it seems every third tier act has their own BE and it's not unusual for every B stage act to have a BE. On the other hand, there are providers that think that once the act is on their job is done and it's time to grab a smoke or a cheeseburger and wait for the next changeover, never touch the console during the set. That would aggravate me as a band.
I also agree about letting whoever the BE is do their thing as long as they're not blowing stuff up. I was against the venue policy when it was being discussed, but the arguments from management persuaded me. They pay me good $$ to run the place, and part of that is for consistency. If there's a different guy every night and I'm just there to turn the rig on and then shut it down, they could get anybody. The venue wants it good every night, odds are against that if you let the drummer's cousin's buddy drive.
