Free Gig Tickets
I’m sure that heading has got your attention…
Fellow blogger (Reservoir Droogs), lover of music, vinyl, books & film, gig promoter and all round good guy Alex “Mainy” Main is keen to ensure those who love live music aren’t disadvantaged by their circumstances.
He is introducing an initiative with gigs he is promoting (and spreading the word amongst other bands and promoters) to allow music lovers who might not otherwise have been able to attend, to go to a gig they may really want to attend.
I asked him to share some information about this and allow the word to spread….
What is it about?
The Ginger Quiff: Tell me about your initiative and why you decided to introduce it?
Mainy: The initiative itself is quite simple. We have set aside ten free tickets for the next Reservoir Droogs promoted gig for those who are struggling with life. That’s it. Nothing ground-breaking really.
I suppose it’s a tiny steps angle on addressing some wider social issues, but putting it across like that opens the door to a much larger discussion that is best saved for another day. The idea does seem to have caused some confusion though. For instance we have been asked a few times to quantify what we mean by struggling with life. We don’t personally feel comfortable in answering that because everyone is different, everyone has their own thing going on. Maybe it’s a mental health issue, a financial one, maybe from the outside looking in everything is fine, but it’s just been a tough week. It’s all relative to the individual, and with that in mind we wanted to make it an inclusive offer rather than an exclusive one.
The Idol Dead
The Idol Dead gig is the first it is being applied to, but we are hoping to work with the other acts we have booked and make it a part of all the events we are involved with. It’s a small acorns thing at the moment. We are sure there will be problems to iron out, but let’s call this the beta testing of it just now.
Why we decided to introduce it is a harder question to answer. Why not? That covers it. There’s the line often repeated that talk minus action equals nothing, and it’s true. On a daily basis we can either do something to help others, or do nothing. Is there really a choice there? We have chosen action over inaction. Life is most definitely hard at times, who could deny that, and we are hoping that by doing this we can help make it a bit easier.
How will it work?
TGQ: How do you envisage it working – how would you select the recipients?
M: It’s on a first come first served basis via a message to the Reservoir Droog facebook page. It’s open to anyone attending the gig. With their ticket it allows them to get in touch and nominate someone that they want to bring with them.
In this way we want the offer to help strengthen bonds between friends. The ticket doesn’t come from us to someone we don’t know, but from a friend to a friend. If someone gets in touch and lightly outlines why they want to take their friend with them then we will look to accommodate them.
Of course the reasons would be treated confidentially. Ultimately we aren’t actually selecting the recipients other than first come first served. The ticket goes to someone because they have someone else looking out for them.
Anyone else up for it?
TGQ: Who else is onboard with this?
M: We are very pleased to say that without asking anyone else to jump on board we were immediately contacted by Ruffneck Red Promotions and The Bellfield Tavern in Kilmarnock who are keen to be involved.
People should check the events they have coming and again contact us at Reservoir Droogs and we will arrange tickets for the friend being nominated.
TGQ: I think its a great idea – live music to me is like a form of therapy, it can improve my mood. If people have hit hard times and they can’t afford to go out, they can spiral. This initiative can help combat that in a small way. Playing devils advocate though – what would you say to anyone who criticises this initiative – I’m thinking maybe where someone has hit hard times, bands/promoters may see this initiative as loss making – that person isn’t contributing anything monetarily?
M: People will criticise. Often that’s rooted in their perception of the world around them. There’s not a great deal we can do about that. That being said if it’s a constructive critique then we will try and address it. That’s not the same as someone moaning.
As for the monetary side of it, well that comes down to choice again. Do we put the cash first and people second? In our opinion that’s part of the wider discussion that we haven’t had. As the free ticket is tied to a purchased one we could argue that twenty people are enjoying a half price offer. We can live with that, and it’s up to others if they are inclined to. I guess we aren’t going to win any business awards, but we might sleep better at night knowing we helped some people.
Who else wants in?
TGQ: What is your message to other bands/promoters?
M: We don’t have one.
If others want to do similar then that’s great. If they don’t feel they can at this moment in time then that’s fine. If they think it’s a stupid idea then they are entitled to their opinion.
It would be nice if others did consider doing something similar, but we aren’t staging a revolution here. Just taking those tiny steps and being the change we want to see in the world.
Know someone who would benefit?
So there you have it, a worthy initiative I’m sure you’ll agree. If you are going to the gig and know of someone worthy of a free ticket, get in touch via Reservoir Droog facebook page as mentioned .
The Idol Dead gig Mainy is referring to is in Nice’n’Sleazy, Glasgow on the 26th of May.
Other Reservoir Droog promoted upcoming gigs:
Main Grains, Ivory Blacks, Glasgow – 14th September
Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Glasgow – 16th November
Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, Bannermans, Edinburgh – 17th November