By From wardrobe malfunctions and exploding equipment to falling off stage, even the best rock stars and superstar DJs on the planet have moments during a performance they’d rather forget. Our artists friends in the UAE aren’t immune either. Game for a laugh, our pals reveal that awkward gig moment that still makes them cringe…
Louise Peel, Singer-Songwriter, The Boxtones
Setting the scene: New Year’s Eve, Byblos, Dubai Marina, 2012/2013
That awkward gig moment: Of course, only I could time one of my best mishaps with a New Year countdown. After the infamous countdown, my band took a minute to hug each other on stage before we carried on. I made my way to our drummer, Gill, who was high up on the drum riser in the middle of the stage. After missing my footing, I adopted a comedy, double-arm, whirling windmill motion as I fell back off of the drum riser. I delivered an unintentional backwards head butt to the master electrics box, plunging the entire bar of New Year’s Eve revellers in to a silent black out. Happy New Year everyone… who needs lights and music to celebrate anyway?
The outcome: My disgruntled/hysterical band mates dragged me to my feet amidst shouts and cheers from the audience. Everyone was freaking out for the next few minutes trying to find out how I had plunged us all into silent darkness at the most exciting point of the year. Tracing where my head had impacted, I spotted an empty plug socket. Somehow in all the drama, a plug had come out. So while I might have ruined New Year, I also saved the day too.
Lesson learned: Don’t wear six-inch heels, climb a drum riser, then try to hug someone across 17-inch cymbals. And maybe wear a helmet to work too.
Assaad Lakkis, Singer-Songwriter & Guitarist, Bull Funk Zoo
Setting the scene: Private concert, Jaipur, India, 2013
That awkward gig moment: Prior to travelling, our backline and tech requirements were sent to the A/V team in Jaipur. We gave the backline company options for our needs – drums, guitar amps, bass amps, etc. I understand many countries might not have what we ask for, so we give options for general equipment that can be sought easily.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed warmly and taken care of really well. Then we arrived at the venue for the soundcheck. We discovered the drum kit had toy drum parts on it. The drums had broken skins, except for the kick drum. Luckily, our drummer brought his own snare and cymbals but the kit was absolutely terrible! The guitar amp was a mess. The sound was feeding back and it was making mad noises. There was no bass amp either. The audio team only brought SM57 microphones, usually used as a snare mic. They had mic’d everything with the SM57s, which is a big no, no. Unfortunately, the audio engineers were inexperienced.
All I could think about was that we’d been flown out to play a high-profile gig for good money and the client was expecting a fantastic show. It was not a good start.
The outcome: We knew we had to wing it, no matter what. We were ready to perform but the gear was not. I explained the issues to the client. We managed to get away with the toy sounding drum kit. The bass was plugged directly into the console. We only had two monitors on stage between four people. The bass player had to use one of them and the rest of us shared one monitor. Lastly, I managed to source a small practice guitar amp, which could barely be heard, to play through on a massive stage. I tell you; we were sweating to deliver. The show kicked off and the sound was awful. We played our butts off!
Lesson learned: If you’re playing in another country, make sure the client creates a clear line of communication between you and the audio team prior to travelling. A big part of the performance is tied to the audio. Clients, in general, don’t understand tech specs. It is part of your job to organise the tech part well. And always ask for back-up gear for everything, in case something goes wrong.
The second lesson is always perform at 110%, no matter what the size of the venue, event or state of the gear. People are there for the music and how you deliver that music.
Somalie, DJ
Setting the scene: New Year’s Eve, Jebel Ali Beach, 2013
That awkward gig moment: A British friend asked if I was free to play a New Year’s Eve gig and the pay was 1500 quid. That’s good money for a NYE gig in Dubai, especially when I’d rather get paid to DJ than spend my money in overpriced venues in the city. I accepted the gig.
I played a very long seven-hour set to a practically empty beach resort with just a few families dotted around tables. After the back and knee breaking set, I went to my friend’s house the next day to get paid. He handed me 1500 dirhams. Yup, dirhams not quid. Knowing ‘quid’ is the British slang for pounds, I had assumed the agreed fee was in pounds. My face fell when he handed me 1500 dirhams instead of the 8250 dirhams I was expecting. Seeing my expression, my friend asked what was wrong. I told him that the fee amount had been lost in translation
The outcome: Genuinely embarrassed, the poor guy kept apologising. Anyway, we laughed about it, although I was more laughing at my misery.
Lesson learned: Since then, I always clarify the exact meaning when anyone uses slang in any language around me. Particularly when it comes to money!
Ollie Chapman, Singer-Songwriter
Setting the scene: Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, 2020
That awkward gig moment: Opening up for the brilliant band Monteath, it was my time to perform, playing an original set for a socially distanced audience. Three songs in and the mic stand decided to have a life of its own, slowly sinking in front of my face. The show must go on! Continuing playing and having a laugh with the audience, I gradually fell to my knees in an effort to reach the microphone before it reached the floor.
The outcome: Thankfully, the sound engineers came to my rescue; lifting the stand back into an upright position. I got through the set with smiles and energy. I loved every second of it!
Lesson learned: Check your microphone stand before starting a set because this wasn’t the first time this happened! The importance of taking time with soundchecks is a lesson that will stick with me for life.
Natalie Brogan, DJ
Setting the scene: ON42, Media One Hotel, Dubai, 2016
That awkward gig moment: A well-known BBC Radio 1 DJ was booked to play and I warmed up for him. Let’s just say the guest DJ took advantage of the hospitality on offer. Full advantage. By the time he came on, he had trouble putting the USB in the CDJ. He managed to load a track but it sounded awful and the whole dancefloor was staring at him. I realised he wasn’t playing some crazy intro; he was somehow playing the track in reverse and this went on for a few minutes.
The outcome: He didn’t realise what had happened. The bar manager took him off the decks and asked me to go back on.
Lesson learned: Wait until your set is finished before getting stuck into free hospitality with such enthusiasm.
Jean B, DJ
Setting the scene: Secret Circle, Level 42, Dubai, 2015
That awkward gig moment: About to start DJing, I plugged in my USB and the CDJ didn’t recognise it. I panicked at first then realised I had no choice but to go home, since I lived close to the venue, to try and fix the situation. I asked the DJs playing before me to please continue for 20 – 30 minutes and they agreed.
The outcome. I went home, formatted the USB, synchronized the playlist, made a back-up and returned to the venue within 25 minutes. I lost half an hour from my full set but that last hour was one of the best I’ve played and enjoyed.
Lesson learned: Always keep a back-up USB, preferably a different brand from the first, and have the latest firmware update with you just in case devices haven’t been updated.
Rohan Nunes, DJ
Setting the scene: Barasti, Dubai, around 2009/2010
That awkward gig moment: A famous ’90s artist – I think it was Robin S or CeCe Peniston – was performing a live PA at the outdoor venue. Realising the performance was nearly over, I began racing to the DJ booth. I ran on stage. The weather was drizzling rain. I slipped and fell in front of the whole crowd.
The outcome: Everyone laughed at my expense. Embarrassed, I got up, went behind the decks and hit play. To be honest, I was laughing at myself throughout the whole gig.
Lesson learned: Never run on stage.
Main photo: Artur Wayne/Unsplash
