Playing at Foxwoods

[jobu]

Has anyone ever played the Atrium Lounge at Foxwoods Casino? I'm hearing mixed reviews about the experience. My band Jive Miguel is playing there in October. Anybody got any info?

[bigkipper1230]

my apologies for having no info, but what are the qualifications for getting a gig there??? Is it like really strict?

[Johnny 5]

You guys got that gig after playing the grand band slam, right? There was a guy from Foxwoods there that night. I've heard mixed things as well. They're scutinizing over what you play, but I hear it's a fun gig.

[jobu]

Yeah, we got that gig through our show at the Band Slam last year. The guy hired us on the spot...it was pretty cool. We're actually going to be playing our FOURTH series of shows there this friday and saturday, June 16th and 17th. It's really a very fun time, but here are a few details.

• No Drinking (They mean it. You can get fired for it)
• No cursing on stage
• No leaving the stage during a performance (obviously it's ok between sets)
• No guest musicians on stage or dancing girls who wanna come up.
• You have to adhere to the set schedule very tightly (it's usually three 1 hour sets).
• If they don't like you, you might be going home after one set (the sound guy told me it's happened a few times).
• There are ALWAYS people there, so you don't have to worry about bringing a crowd.
• The sound system is very good.
• You may have several old people submit requests (usually for ballads).
• You'd think they'd be able to pay you more, but they don't, at least not the first few times.
• There are no one night stands. You'l be playing anywhere from two to five nights in a row, and that gets very difficult.
• Bottom line. We love it there. We've accumulated regulars who only come to see us at Foxwoods, including Bill Cosby's cousin, Tommy! He's there every time!

The guy you want to contact is named Nelson and I think they usually accept demos and press kits. Guess we got in easy.

[bigkipper1230]

So if people DO request stuff, and you don't know it?? -- you just kinda brush it off, play something hopefully similar and run with it??

oh - and --- is it cover bands? or do they have original bands in there too??

peace
kip

jobu said:

Yeah, we got that gig through our show at the Band Slam last year. The guy hired us on the spot...it was pretty cool. We're actually going to be playing our FOURTH series of shows there this friday and saturday, June 16th and 17th. It's really a very fun time, but here are a few details.

• No Drinking (They mean it. You can get fired for it)
• No cursing on stage
• No leaving the stage during a performance (obviously it's ok between sets)
• No guest musicians on stage or dancing girls who wanna come up.
• You have to adhere to the set schedule very tightly (it's usually three 1 hour sets).
• If they don't like you, you might be going home after one set (the sound guy told me it's happened a few times).
• There are ALWAYS people there, so you don't have to worry about bringing a crowd.
• The sound system is very good.
• You may have several old people submit requests (usually for ballads).
• You'd think they'd be able to pay you more, but they don't, at least not the first few times.
• There are no one night stands. You'l be playing anywhere from two to five nights in a row, and that gets very difficult.
• Bottom line. We love it there. We've accumulated regulars who only come to see us at Foxwoods, including Bill Cosby's cousin, Tommy! He's there every time!

The guy you want to contact is named Nelson and I think they usually accept demos and press kits. Guess we got in easy.

[jobu]

It's not all gloom and doom like I might have made it out to be. There are places to drink all over the casino, so take a walk...just don't get caught. The request situation is like any other place, if you don't know it, say you don't know it and move on. The are no penalties for not knowing some dopey old song. We play all covers there, but we've thrown in an original or 2 a couple times. People are not there to see your band mostly, they're there to take a break from gambling, have a drink and a smoke and listen to the music. While they're there, they want to hear something they know so they can dance. You're welcome to play originals, just don't expect a big response.

I'm also seeing that they're not real hip on heavy music. Keep the Disturbed to a minimum

[fcmonk]

jobu said:

• No cursing on stage

Well, that leaves me out!

[jobu]

One more rule. You have to look nice. These rules are all in the contract. I usually get decked out in all black, but there's a strict "no jeans" rule, which means no less than that as well I suppose.

You can gamble all you want...they're always happy to take back some of what they're giving you.

[lowestfrequency]

fcmonk said:

jobu said:

• No cursing on stage

Well, that leaves me out!

Yeah...I'd be in trouble as well. The 'no drinking' thing would be a little strange.