My reply is all the time the identical. “You may’t — and what did you suppose you’d discover backstage, anyway? Wild events? Bare groupies? Tables heaped with cocaine? Roman orgy ranges of meals and booze? Or have been you pondering of hanging with the band of their dressing room earlier than they go to work?”
Let me set you straight. Most of what you’ve ever heard or examine what goes on backstage is an entire lie. Sure, issues was once just a little looser — or so I’ve heard — however in at present’s live performance enterprise, there’s not numerous time or endurance for messing round with individuals who don’t belong backstage. Schedules are tight, safety is strict, and privateness is extra of a problem than ever earlier than.
However since so many individuals need to learn about backstage passes, here’s a tough primer on how they work, and the hierarchies concerned.
The trendy backstage move was invented by a Cincinnati man named Dave Otto. As rock turned a much bigger and greater enterprise, it turned vital to limit backstage entry to working individuals and particular company. Otto found out a solution to print graphics on a versatile rectangle of rayon with an adhesive backing.
These patches adhered very effectively to all types of clothes, and since they have been versatile, they labored effectively with physique contours and didn’t fall off. Plus, as soon as utilized, it wasn’t a good suggestion to peel it off as a result of the glue didn’t work as effectively the second time round — if in any respect.
These passes began showing in 1973. From then on, backstage passes turned a form of foreign money, one thing extra precious than even a front-row ticket as a result of it (theoretically) helps you to go the place no mere mortals can. The backstage move turned your invitation to untold glories and horrors backstage.
And sure, issues usually acquired very bizarre, a minimum of within the outdated days. Like I stated, issues are a lot completely different at present. That’s to not say that there isn’t any misbehaviour or, er, actions of a questionable authorized nature. However backstage is a severe office, and you may’t afford to fiddle.
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The underside-of-the-barrel move is the “after present” move. It will get you into a chosen space behind the stage solely after the gig is over. Fortunate followers are typically issued certainly one of Otto’s stick-on form of passes or an inexpensive paper facsimile. You and dozens of different individuals might be admitted to a cordoned-off cattle pen the place you’ll mill round, questioning if the band will present up for a meet-and-greet. Typically all of them seem. Typically it’s only one or two members. And typically nobody exhibits up. It will depend on their temper, power degree, and if the highway supervisor must get them out of the constructing and on the way in which to the subsequent gig.
Foods and drinks? Typically, however don’t depend on it. Events and groupies and medicines? Nope.
After a well mannered whereas, everyone seems to be kicked out, and your backstage expertise is over. Nonetheless, you’ve gotten a pleasant little memento in that factor you caught in your jacket, which was ruined due to the glue.
The subsequent degree of backstage move is the “pre-show” move. Once more, it’s normally a stick-on factor that enables you and a bunch of different individuals right into a inexperienced room space the place you (hopefully) get a fast meet-and-greet with the artist, and, in the event you’re fortunate, an image.
These pre-show occasions are normally reserved for contest winners, native file firm individuals, native media (like radio folks), and possibly a few native acquaintances or associates of associates. When you get your 15 seconds, you’re escorted into the group for the remainder of the evening. Thanks for coming.
Subsequent within the meals chain is the VIP move. That is the place backstage entry begins to get fascinating since you may need some significant face time with the performer. Or not. Backstage, there are not any certain issues.
A VIP move is usually laminated in plastic and comes with a lanyard to hold round your neck. They’re good for the inexperienced room past the inexperienced room — an internal sanctum room the place the performers spend just a little extra time with the holders.
Right here’s the place you’ll discover the higher-ranked file firm individuals, native musicians held in excessive regard by the band, and non-music VIPs, like a big-wheel businessperson, politicians or some well-connected associates. If there’s food and drinks available, it’ll be brisker and of upper high quality than no matter may need been discovered within the outer inexperienced room. It’s a pleasant factor to have.
Earlier than we go deeper into the nether areas of backstage, I ought to point out the photograph move. This doesn’t get you backstage. As an alternative, it permits accredited photographers entry to the area on the foot of the stage. You already know the present is ready to start after they launch the photographers into that pit. The photograph move will get a photographer into that spot, normally for the primary three songs. As soon as the third track is completed, they’re hustled out. Once more, thanks for coming.
Some passes permit you much more entry. “Native crew” passes will get you past the VIP inexperienced room, however in all probability not into the dressing rooms. They’re reserved for individuals working to make the gig occur: regionally employed roadies, caterers, safety, paramedics, medical workers, and so forth.
Above that’s the “working crew” move. These are laminates issued to the highway crew and help workers travelling with the tour. They’ll get the bearer wherever they should do their jobs.
And we nonetheless have two extra ranges to go. There’s the laminate that offers you entry to the dressing rooms, however solely when you have an escort. And that escort should be in possession of the Holy Grail: the all-access move.
An all-access move will get you wherever, any time you need. On-stage throughout the present. Within the dressing room earlier than or after the gig and past. They bestow the holder with immense backstage superpowers.
Solely a really, very choose few are issued passes with these sorts of magical powers. The band, in fact. Their supervisor. The highway supervisor. Excessive-ranking roadies. Spouses, companions and households of the band. The gig’s promoter. And that’s about it.
At one time or one other, I’ve had each certainly one of these passes, and if I’ve discovered one factor, it’s this: If there’s a extremely good celebration available, it’s on the tour bus or again on the lodge. And there aren’t any passes that may get you there.
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