It’s probably safe to assume that everyone reading this post has been to one or more concerts in their life where some band, be it an opening or headliner, took the stage and appeared to be unprepared for the performance at hand. Maybe their vocalist struggled to hit the notes that seemed to come so easy on record, or perhaps the band kept losing tempo and playing over one another. Whatever the case, I’m sure you wish you could have back those precious moments lost while hoping the group on stage would get their act together.
Many artists believe they are untouchable once they get on stage, but the owner of a British performance hall recently proved that idea to be false when he stepped on stage after 30 minutes of a headlining set to give Scottish musician Finley Quaye the boot. Don’t worry, it was all caught on film and the performance was being filmed for online broadcast.
According to our friends at Vanyaland, club owner Matt Roberts interrupted Quaye’s apparently improvisational set — which sounded like a an extend soundcheck — and told the crowd: “I am so sorry guys. I have worked in the industry 28 years, I have a reputation. And the reputation is, small as it is, but when somebody doesn’t turn up for soundcheck at three in the afternoon, and I smile… and then at 9 o’clock they turn up. And then I have a beautiful, beautiful crowd of people who I love, and then they come, and they fuck my stage.”
He then turned to the band, who remained on stage while Quaye retreated to the shadows, and said, “You guys, go home.”
Refunds were given to everyone in attendance, which was an announcement that made many applaud. Roberts then continued his speech, adding “The music industry and live music is beautiful. I suffer from alcoholism and stuff and I have issues in my life but I am professional. And I’m sorry I will not sit here and pollute my venue with bullshit.”
You can view a video of the performance above. Roberts appears around the three-minute mark.
This message should be a lesson to all performers that simply because you are on stage does not entitle you to act however you desire. There is a certain expectation of quality with any live performance, and those who do not deliver may be asked to find other venues to host their shows. Don’t let this happen to you.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him onTwitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
