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During my recent vacation, I had a conversation with a young relative who was interested in pursuing a career within in the concert industry. His questions were typical of most people I talk shop with - did I get to meet the artists? Does everyone really party all the time? Are the toilets backstage really gold? Ok, I made that last one up. Regardless, it became quickly apparent that he was yet another victim of MTV’s trafficking in “concert lifestyle misconception”, fed by carefully scripted videos meant to demonstrate how “fun” the live music lifestyle really is.
After checking to see if he hadn’t been covertly visiting the tiki bar (Tropical-themed weddings FTW), I settled back into my role as professional truth-teller (aka insufferable buzzkill), and told him four hard truths every new concert professional must accept.
Have no illusions of living a normal life - when you’re first starting out in the concert industry, your working hours are usually brutally long and inconsistent (as you progress, conditions do improve somewhat, although remain FAR from your normal 9 to 5). Personal relationships can be difficult to maintain with anyone employed outside the industry. You’ll be working when most of your friends and family have the day/night off, so plan on missing many, many family and social gatherings. On plus side, all this togetherness virtually guarantees that you’ll develop strong bonds with your fellow co-workers. After all, you’ll see them more than your family for a good long while.
It’s physically demanding - If you want to keep up with the rigors of the job, you’ll need to keep yourself in decent physical condition. Even if you aren’t “laboring” per say, you’ll spend most of your time walking, climbing, carrying, and crouching. If you don’t make efforts to stay in shape, you’ll definitely be feeling it the next day when...well...you need to go back to work for another 18 hour stretch. Not only are the demands of the job physically taxing, the unconventional working environment will potentially exacerbate any vices you may currently have. If you smoke, you’ll probably smoke more (especially outside during events). Your dietary habits will be questionable (think Red Bull for dinner). And those after-work drinks will end up feeling twice as good...for a while, anyway. So to prevent an early burnout, it’s critically important that you take care of yourself, physically and emotionally.
There are plenty of benefits...great pay usually isn’t one of them - When you’re first starting out, your salary will range from virtually non-existent to only slightly livable . Over the next few years, things will improve somewhat, but it’s doubtful you’ll be compensated anywhere near where you feel you should be given the time and blood you’ve put into the job. This is the sad reality of the business (and most other “glamor industries”) - there’s a line of people behind you just waiting to take your place. Early in your career, you’re only slightly more than disposable, and your compensation will usually reflect that. But given that you’re rarely home long enough to spend those hard earned pennies, it isn’t as tough as it seems. Stick with it, and you’ll hopefully progress to a point when you can discard those Ramen noodle for good.
It’s not as glamorous as you think - Raucous backstage parties? Hanging out with the artists? Not so much. As the concert industry has matured, it’s become much like any other business - disciplined, professional, and decidedly serious. Backstage lounges and free-flowing Jack Daniels have been replace with workout rooms and protein shakes in most circles. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a fantastically fun working environment, mostly due to the people you’ll be working with. It’s just not what those old Poison videos would lead you to believe.
Although telling him these four truths may have taken the sheen off of his desire to enter the field, he seemed no less determined at giving it a try. Which is good...because determination is exactly what is needed to make it past the blood-letting of your few years in the industry. Once you’re fully within the professional stream, though, conditions do improve...right about the time you’re ready to hire the next generation of starry-eyed young professionals yourself.
The upside to working in an industry with a lot of turnover is that is easier to find employment compared to other fields. I started working in live events because I moved a lot and it was the only work I could find in a new city with no contacts. The challenge is sticking it out. I still get burned out every few months and I've learned to respect my limits. I can tell possible clients up front about what I'm not willing to do. I get less calls, but I prefer that to hating my work.
ReplyDeleteI've found that there are differing work environments even within the field that I am better accommodated for and if I could go back and tell myself one piece of career advice, it would be that. There are more structured environment with consistent work hours with places like theatres and larger concert venues that in-house production and technical staff. It's good to be honest about how you want to work, then look for that.