GCH Concert

On April 29^th Gym Class Heroes performed at Six Flags Great Adventure. I was lucky enough to work this concert. The day starts with setting up backstage. This includes getting the dressing rooms ready as well as the catering area. In the dressing rooms has to be everything the band requested in their rider. The rider is a document that the band uses to make their stay as comfortable as possible. This document is extremely important because if something is missing the band can decide not to perform. Fortunately, everything met the bands requirements and they performed.

Then the band arrives and we unload the equipment. The step up is the longest process of the day. There are a lot of heavy equipment that has to make its way to the stage. Four to six guys are carrying one crate at a time. The contents get unpacked and placed in position. Then cables are run to all of the equipment from the sound and lighting booth. Once everything is hooked up the sound check begins.

That takes us to lunch, and a little down time to hang out with the band. By now fans have started to line up outside of the arena. We try to do our best to entertain them. An hour and a half before the show is a meet and great between the band and a lucky few fans. Then the gates open an hour before the show. Security is now in place to control the crowd. The show goes on and everyone is enjoying it.

After the show and everyone leaves, it is now clean up time. This is by far the worst part of the job. People make a mess no matter how many garbage cans are around the arena. None of them get used. Everything is one the floor. Simultaneously the equipment is getting packed up. Packing up takes a little bit longer then unpacking because of rolling up cables, and making sure everything fits back into place.

Once everything gets packed up, the band is ready to go. We say our goodbyes and start to prepare for the next show. That is what a typical day is like. It is a lot of hard work, but it is also a lot of fun. Next time you are in the area come to Six Flags Great Adventure and see a concert. Most are free with theme park admission.