Today I want to talk about something that's been bugging me for a little while. It's one of those things where I do understand why people can't always do it but also there are plenty of people who could but just don't. The thing that is bugging me is when people buy a ticket for an all day gig but don't go for the whole day and on some occasions only turn up for the headline act. It really bugs me.
Let's start with the reasons that people can't always attend all of an all-dayer. People have families and responsibilities which means that they can't always commit to watching bands for an entire day. I'm sure organising childcare for an entire day is a very difficult thing to do. People also work so it's not always easy to get time off work or you can't afford to. These are very legit reasons and there are probably many many others. In this column, however, I'm going to try and convince people who just don't fancy doing the all day thing or aren't interested in checking out bands they might not know.
- First of all I just think why on earth wouldn't you? I'm sure if you like going to standard evening gigs, surely going to an all-dayer is better because it's like a normal gig - but longer!
- You've bought a ticket for the whole day. May as well make the most of it! You wouldn't buy a ticket for the cinema or a football match, or something else people buy tickets for, and turn up halfway through.
- An all-dayer isn't just about the bands – it's about spending the day with other like minded people, making new friends and having a great time.
- For me the headline act at an all-dayer is just the cherry on top. I feel like you pay to watch great bands all day and then the headliner is a prize for getting through the whole day.
- To support the scene and discover your new favourite bands. See those first shows of a brand new band and be that smug hipster person in a few years and say "I remember when Logan and The Coasters were the first band on at an all-dayer in Falmouth".
- Supporting your favourite venues. All-dayers are great for small venues to earn a little extra money from drinks. The more people that get down to an all-dayer early and buy drinks, the more money a venue can make and then remain open and put on more great gigs. Circle of life and that.
- What else are you going to do on a Sunday?
- First pick of the merchandise. You don't want to go to the merch table at the end of the night and discover the T-shirt you love is sold out in your size or the record with the special colour variant has just been sold to the person before you in the queue.
- As well as hanging out with your mates, more often than not you get to meet and hang out with members of the bands playing. You don't even have to pay extra for this, it's just an added bonus of an all-dayer.
- Ska all-dayers are incredible for your fitness. Just the other week I managed to do the equivalent of 23.49km just from skanking. Incredible cardio.
- All-dayers tend to be much more of a special occasion that your standard gig. There's a brilliant sense of community involved in the day.
- It's amusing to watch the promoters and sound staff stressing out about making sure the day runs on time.
- If the headliner does end up sucking, at least you saw some decent bands earlier in the day.
This top ten was written by Colin Clark.
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