Information for performing bands:
(Information subject to change without notice and to accommodate
larger shows or special situations. Always check with venue management when
arriving for any such changes)
- Q: what is the Emerson?
- A: The Emerson Theater is an All-Ages (no alcohol
allowed on premises) music venue (capacity 400) hosting live music local,
regional, and national levels every weekend.
- Q: What kind of music do you book at the
Emerson?
- A: The Emerson books, as a general rule, any
of the various forms of Metal, Punk, or Rock. Other promoters who rent the Emerson
may book any type of music they wish. NO COVER BANDS!, and sorry we do not book
jazz (check with the madam walker theater), Country (8 seconds saloon), or Pop
performers. If you are an acoustic singer/songwriter or folk artist please email
me and we will try to get you a list of friendly venues in town.
- Q: What do I have to do to get my band booked?
- A: Email us.
- Q: Where do I send a demo CD?
- A: Don't
- Q: I've emailed you several times, why haven't you booked my band for a show yet?
- A: It takes time, we have shows every weekend
and deal with a lot of bands.
- Q: How come my band doesn't get to play as
often as these other bands?
- A: Because these other bands work hard for there
shows and promote for them.
- Q: Can my band open up a show for a national
act?
- A: Well will you help promote for the show?
have you ever played here before? These things are considered before we pick a
band to open for any national act. Do not just email us to play these shows if
you have never played here before.
- Q: I'm in an out of state band, how do we
get to play at the Emerson?
- A: Get invited by an Indy band. Trade shows
with no money involved. Check here.
- Q: How come you won't book me with (insert
band here)?
- A: Ask them if you can play, they are probably
booking their own bands.
- Q: Why are there no people at our show?
- A: First did you make any flyers for your show?
how will people find out about it if you don't tell them? Second does anyone know
who you are and what you sound like? No one is going to come out and see a new
band if they have no idea what they sound like. Third it takes time to build a
fan base don't be discouraged by low attendance, keep pushing on and if you are
good the people will come.
- Q: So how many people does this place usually
pull in?
- A: Absolutely NONE. you are the band you are
the entertainment which is the sole reason anyone would come here.
- Q: Do we get paid?
- A: YES! We pay out to the bands based on a scaled
percentage starting at 70-100 people you get 10% of the door, from 101-200 you
get 20%, from 201-300 you get 30%, and anything over 301 you get 40% of the door.
This money is taken and split evenly between all bands, you must be present at
the end of the night to get paid. If you don't stick around we give your share
to the other bands.
- Q: How come all of my friends and family
can't get in for free to see my band?
- A: Because.
- Q: How do I promote for my show?
- A: Make flyers and posters, we suggest staples,
they have super cheap paper you can make 1000 black and white full page copies
for $24. Put them EVERYWHERE around Indy, record stores, tattoo shops, schools,
and anywhere that will let you (THE EMERSON). Also internet message boards are
great places to promote. Just spread the word.
- Q: Can we sell merchandise?
- A: Yes, there is even a dedicated
merchandise table,
and no we do not take a percentage of your sales.
- Q: What do we need to bring equipment wise
to the show?
- A: All of your gear (NO PA EQUIPMENT) we have
all the necessary equipment, mic cables, mics, stands, ect. Unless you have something
special that you use. Also, no we do not have any guitar cords, extension cords,
drumsticks, or picks.
- Q: So if I take 30 minutes to set up my equipment
I still get 30 minutes to play right?
- A: You have 45 minutes to set up and play, what
you do with the time is your business but after 45 minutes we take you out of
the P.A. and turn on the CD player. If the sound guys says last song, no you do
not have time for another, If the sound guys says your time is up, get off the
stage.
- STANDARD SHOW INFO
- 4 band event : Load in is at 6:00 pm
5 band event : Load in is at 5:00 pm
All equipment MUST be there no later than this time. If you are the first band
performing you must also have ALL band members present. Failure to do so could
result in not being allowed to perform. Load in is through the rear of the building
in the alley next to J-Clyde's (bar).
- 4 band event : Sound check begins at approximately
6:30 pm
5 band event : Sound check begins at approximately
5:30 pm
This is barring any complications that may arise. All amps go on stage placed
in order of performance (first in front, last in back). The drums from the frist
band go ON the riser and second goes behind it.. The other two kits should be
assembled and ready next to the stage.
- Each band is limited to 2
guests (including crew, etc.)
This includes roadies, managers, stage hands, merchandise handlers, girlfriends,
boyfriends, etc. You must have the first and last names of everyone on your guest
list, and get it to the person running the door by 6:00 pm. Otherwise, your guest
list may not be accepted. When the doors open, THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE
GUEST LIST. If someone pays and they did not know they were on the guest
list, there are NO refunds. So please tell the people on your list that
they are on it.
- 4 band event : Doors open at 7:30 pm - Show begins at
8:00 pm
5 band event : Doors open at 7:00 pm - Show begins at 7:30 pm
Each band MUST be ready to perform at their scheduled time. If the show
cannot start on time due to a VENUE problem (i.e. PA problem, staff or building
problem), the set times will be changed to allow for a full set for each band.
If it is a BAND issue (someone is late, equipment problem, etc.), then the band
in question will be taking away from their own set time and when their set time
is up they will be have to leave the stage whether they have performed or not.
The times for each slot are as follows:
[4 bands]
1st band : 8:00 - 8:30 pm
2nd band : 8:45 - 9:15
pm
3rd band : 9:30 - 10:00 pm
4th band : 10:15 - 10:45 pm
[5 bands]
1st band : 7:30 - 8:00 pm
2nd band : 8:15 - 8:45 pm
3rd band : 9:00 - 9:30 pm
4th band : 9:45 - 10:15 pm
5th band : 10:30 - 11:00 pm
Unless the situation is out of your control as stated above, each band will stick
to this schedule. So if you are the first band and it takes you 25 minutes to
get on stage and begin your performance, you will only have 20 minutes left to
perform. This all sounds very strict but if the times are followed then it is
fair for EVERY band. One band's problems should not become another band's loss.
As stated before though, if it is a problem such as with the PA or venue related
issue, all times will be shifted accordingly for each band (in other words each
band will still get to do there full time.
-
Promotion
Due to the fact that we are open
every weekend I cannot promote for every show. I put out a monthly listing of
shows, and keep our info line/website pretty up to date. So to make up for this
each band is expected to make there own flyers for each show. Shows at the Emerson
are what you make of them. All shows at the Emerson are
All-Ages.
-
Performance
We ask that you pay close attention to your required performance time. We will
have a digital clock on stage that is clearly visible at all times. This will
be considered "official" time and removes all issues concerning time. Always refer
to this clock when you need to know how much longer you have before, during, and
after your set. Please DO NOT ask the soundman or any other employee if you "have
time for one more song". Only you know how long your songs are and if he were
to say yes, you may whip out that 20-minute epic masterpiece for your grand finale.
You will know in advance how long your set is so please plan your set list accordingly.
Also, the Emerson Theater is an ALL ORIGINAL music venue. While the occasional
cover song is ok, we ask that you DO NOT perform more than one cover song (if
any).
-
Load In / Load Out
At all times, YOU are responsible for the safeguard of your equipment.
The Emerson Theater is NOT responsible for lost or stolen items of any kind. The
back doors to the building must be closed AT ALL TIMES unless you are loading
in equipment or taking it out. When your set is complete, all equipment must be
moved off of the stage to the RIGHT side (if you are facing the crowd on stage).
All equipment should be removed as quickly as possible, and the drum kit must
be moved off the stage and then taken apart (cymbals, toms, etc.). Do not disassemble
your drum kit on the stage as it takes too much time and will cause the show to
fall behind schedule. While the next band is performing, you can disassemble all
your equipment and get it ready to load out through the back door on that side
of the stage. When the band after you completes their set, you will load out through
the back door while they are taking their gear off the stage. This keeps the back
door from being open while a band is performing. If you still have gear inside
when the next band is ready to start, move it all out and have someone stand with
it, then load it into your vehicle. This way we can shut the door and allow the
next band to begin.
-
Payment
Due to the fact that we do not sell alcohol, our rent and utilities
come directly from the admission price. With this in mind, we have to average
70 people a night (Friday and Saturday) to reach our expenses for the place.
Therefore, if there are not at least 70 people attending the show we will be unable
to pay any of the bands. Starting at 70 people we have worked out a payment
system based on percentages that increase with the more people brought in for
any given show.
The breakdown of
percentages works like this:
70-99 people = 10%
100-199
= 20%
200-299
= 30%
300+
= 40%
We take the amount of payout and split it between however
any bands their are on the bill. You have to be present at the end of the night
to get paid as well. I'm sure to some this may seem unfair but my bottom line
is keeping the doors open. I am definitely not getting rich at this and
any money that does come in over the monthly payout goes right back into the place.
Please keep this payment method in mind if you choose to bring an out of town
band in for a performance. If there are not 70 people in attendance I WILL
NOT BE ABLE TO PAY THEM. Just trade a show for a show (without money from
either side) if you must. Ask me about this if you want more information
on how to do it.
-
Other Items
We ask that you please take care of the facilities and the surrounding areas.
We are doing our best to keep a safe, clean environment to insure people will
come back, as well as spread the word that the Emerson is a great place to see
bands. Please be aware that if you break something, you will be asked to pay for
it. If you trash the place, you will be asked to clean it up (i.e. throwing toilet
paper, confetti, water, etc.). More than likely, if it is something major, you
will not be allowed to come back. These are the same restrictions we put on the
people in front of the stage watching you. The Emerson Theater is the largest
all ages venue in central Indiana and has a lot of growth potential as well as
the chance for each and every band performing to build a large fan base, returning
again and again to perform. If we don't keep this in mind and take care of what
we have, it will inevitably close and leave everyone out in the cold. Please keep
this in mind and help us help you by taking care of it and letting the management
know if something is going on that shouldn't be. In the Emerson Theater there
are NO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR MIND ALTERING SUBSTANCES and NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND
allowed on the premises. The Emerson Theater staff reserves the right to inspect
any and all persons and items on the premises. Failure to comply will result in
removal from the premises.
This page was last updated on
04/27/06.
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emersontheater.com
