Last I heard Germany's still in Europe, until they get their money back, anyway.
There is a circuit of sorts, take a look at Andy Irvine's itinerary here for some ideas and try contacting the places directly: http://www.jigtime.com/andyirvine.htm
There is a pub circuit (loads of "Irish Pubs") and a festival circuit. Not so much in the line of clubs now. Try and get in touch with one or two of the pubs and work from there. There is a lot of competition for the festival spots and the "big" tours. If you're really brilliant somebody will get in touch and invite you
You won't be able to make a living from gigs alone. How about teaching your instrument, weekend workshops etc.? You could ask Alan Doherty (formerly of Grada) who lives in Halle now.
just when you mention [you wont be able to make a living from gigs alone]what if you know are the going rate for bands in pubs and festivals in europe i know if varies but a rough figure would be nice thanks
If you cross an empty street, you must do so on a pedestrian crossing and wait till the green light indicates. Otherwise, plain-clothes police suddenly appear out of thin air - or maybe manholes and shrubs - and fine you on the spot. Irish buskers I've met seemed to find this feature of German life particularly uncanny, for whatever reason. They all seemed to mention it.
Everything in Germany that isn't Berlin, Frankfurt or somewhere is a primeval forest hundreds of miles long criss-crossed by autobahns along which the Germans drive at utterly horrifying speeds, which means everybody else has to as well. But there is an upside to this. If you are lost and hungry, follow the growl and hum of traffic till you get to an autobahn. Playing chicken with all the reflexes at your disposal, nip on to the carriageway and remove all the deer and wild boar you think you are going to need for supper. Drag them into the depths of the forest. Roast them, eat them, put out or control the fire, sleep it off .
(No, I've not done this - but I *did* hitch in a vehicle in Germany / Austria which hit a deer. I think it flew over the roof...)
The police I referred to are possibly seen as uncanny on the grounds that they would have to move around on the astral plane, or by some other supernatural means, to materialise as suddenly on an empty street as they have been said to do.
Nicholas, your description of my "Heimat" is great ! No wonder, I moved to Ireland, hehe. The first thing all my German friends said when they visited me for the first time was "they all walk and drive over red traffic lights here! How horrible!".
But apart from the strict traffic rules and mad drivers, Germany is a great place for Irish music. There are many good venues. Do try "Das weisse Ross". Another good one is http://www.dorflinde.de. You could also try and contact one of the German-Irish bands like An Tor or Cara and ask, whether you could do gigs with them.
And the Autobahns are ok as long as you go fast enough yourself - you almost never get to drive fast round here anyway since about 30% of the mileage is taken up with roadworks and the rest is covered in queues caused by the roadworks...
Playing in Germany is pretty good, especially in the Munich area. You might try contacting an old friend of mine Frank McLynn, he does a lot for the scene in organising bands and festivals and suchlike. Take a look at his Google profile, his websites are detailed there ok. I'm sure he can help.
playing in germany or in europe
playing in germany or in europe
how does an irish folk band go about getting to play in germany or europe ?
# Posted on November 8th 2011 by gaelic83
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Last I heard Germany's still in Europe, until they get their money back, anyway.
There is a circuit of sorts, take a look at Andy Irvine's itinerary here for some ideas and try contacting the places directly:
http://www.jigtime.com/andyirvine.htm
This is a good place, run by a musician, which is on the "circuit" (loosely-described):
http://www.das-weisse-ross.de/
# Posted on November 8th 2011 by Bren
Re: playing in germany or in europe
thanks ,i should have worded my question properly lol
# Posted on November 8th 2011 by gaelic83
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Just remember - you have to sit on the other side of the stage.
Or was that use left-handed roadies?
# Posted on November 8th 2011 by MorganYYZ
Re: playing in germany or in europe
There is a pub circuit (loads of "Irish Pubs") and a festival circuit. Not so much in the line of clubs now. Try and get in touch with one or two of the pubs and work from there. There is a lot of competition for the festival spots and the "big" tours. If you're really brilliant somebody will get in touch and invite you
You won't be able to make a living from gigs alone. How about teaching your instrument, weekend workshops etc.? You could ask Alan Doherty (formerly of Grada) who lives in Halle now.
# Posted on November 9th 2011 by kuec
Re: playing in germany or in europe
just when you mention [you wont be able to make a living from gigs alone]what if you know are the going rate for bands in pubs and festivals in europe i know if varies but a rough figure would be nice thanks
# Posted on November 9th 2011 by gaelic83
Re: playing in germany or in europe
" if you know are the going rate for bands in pubs and festivals in europe i know if varies but a rough figure would be nice thanks"
Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?
# Posted on November 9th 2011 by minijackpot
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Some drinks, a meal and part of the petrol money.
# Posted on November 9th 2011 by kuec
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Germany is very strange.
.
If you cross an empty street, you must do so on a pedestrian crossing and wait till the green light indicates. Otherwise, plain-clothes police suddenly appear out of thin air - or maybe manholes and shrubs - and fine you on the spot. Irish buskers I've met seemed to find this feature of German life particularly uncanny, for whatever reason. They all seemed to mention it.
Everything in Germany that isn't Berlin, Frankfurt or somewhere is a primeval forest hundreds of miles long criss-crossed by autobahns along which the Germans drive at utterly horrifying speeds, which means everybody else has to as well. But there is an upside to this. If you are lost and hungry, follow the growl and hum of traffic till you get to an autobahn. Playing chicken with all the reflexes at your disposal, nip on to the carriageway and remove all the deer and wild boar you think you are going to need for supper. Drag them into the depths of the forest. Roast them, eat them, put out or control the fire, sleep it off
(No, I've not done this - but I *did* hitch in a vehicle in Germany / Austria which hit a deer. I think it flew over the roof...)
# Posted on November 9th 2011 by nicholas
Re: playing in germany or in europe
The police I referred to are possibly seen as uncanny on the grounds that they would have to move around on the astral plane, or by some other supernatural means, to materialise as suddenly on an empty street as they have been said to do.
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by nicholas
Re: playing in germany or in europe
But on the other hand, Germans seem to love ITM and can be very thankful audiences. (Also STM, which for some reason they often think is Irish too.)
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by Crackpot
Re: playing in germany or in europe
lol same sorta police set up in the north of ireland
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by gaelic83
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Nicholas, your description of my "Heimat" is great
! No wonder, I moved to Ireland, hehe. The first thing all my German friends said when they visited me for the first time was "they all walk and drive over red traffic lights here! How horrible!".
But apart from the strict traffic rules and mad drivers, Germany is a great place for Irish music. There are many good venues. Do try "Das weisse Ross". Another good one is http://www.dorflinde.de. You could also try and contact one of the German-Irish bands like An Tor or Cara and ask, whether you could do gigs with them.
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by fiddlinsue
Re: playing in germany or in europe
"Germans seem to love ITM and can be very thankful audiences. (Also STM, which for some reason they often think is Irish too.)"
Amazing, Swedish music sounds nothing like Irish music unless we're talking about "Arthur Darley's"(The swedish Jig).
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Call your stuff "celtic" and you'll be alright.
Personally I never ever drive on the autobahn - too scary.
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by kuec
Re: playing in germany or in europe
I know what you mean. I am not used to it anymore and avoid it like the plague, when I am in Germany for a visit.
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by fiddlinsue
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Ok John_J you are of course also right - I actually meant Scottish TM... But they do like Swedish music here too.
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by Crackpot
Re: playing in germany or in europe
And the Autobahns are ok as long as you go fast enough yourself - you almost never get to drive fast round here anyway since about 30% of the mileage is taken up with roadworks and the rest is covered in queues caused by the roadworks...
# Posted on November 10th 2011 by Crackpot
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Playing in Germany is pretty good, especially in the Munich area. You might try contacting an old friend of mine Frank McLynn, he does a lot for the scene in organising bands and festivals and suchlike. Take a look at his Google profile, his websites are detailed there ok. I'm sure he can help.
# Posted on November 14th 2011 by tctelboy
Re: playing in germany or in europe
Sorry meant to put the link to Frank McLynn's profile up, this is it
https://plus.google.com/107862283008125415110/posts
# Posted on November 14th 2011 by tctelboy