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My reply is all the time the identical. “You can’t — and what did you think you’d find backstage, anyway? Wild parties? Naked groupies? Tables heaped with cocaine? Roman orgy levels of food and booze? Or were you thinking of hanging with the band in their dressing room before 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. Yes, issues was somewhat looser — or so I’ve heard — however in at this time’s live performance enterprise, there’s not lots of time or persistence 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.
But since so many individuals wish to learn about backstage passes, here’s a tough primer on how they work, and the hierarchies concerned.
The fashionable backstage cross was invented by a Cincinnati man named Dave Otto. As rock grew to become a much bigger and larger enterprise, it grew to become vital to limit backstage entry to working individuals and particular visitors. Otto discovered a method to print graphics on a versatile rectangle of rayon with an adhesive backing.
These patches adhered very effectively to all kinds 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 grew to become a kind of forex, one thing extra useful than even a front-row ticket as a result of it (theoretically) permits you to go the place no mere mortals can. The backstage cross grew to become your invitation to untold glories and horrors behind the scenes.
And sure, issues usually obtained very bizarre, at the very least within the outdated days. Like I mentioned, issues are a lot completely different at this time. That’s to not say that there isn’t any misbehaviour or, er, actions of a questionable authorized nature. But backstage is a severe office, and you may’t afford to fiddle.
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The bottom-of-the-barrel cross is the “after show” cross. This will get you into a delegated space behind the stage solely after the gig is over. Lucky followers are typically issued one in every of Otto’s stick-on kind of passes or an affordable paper facsimile. You and dozens of different individuals can 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. Sometimes all of them seem. Sometimes it’s only one or two members. And typically nobody reveals up. It relies on their temper, power stage, and if the highway supervisor must get them out of the constructing and on the best way to the following gig.
Food and drink? Sometimes, however don’t depend on it. Parties and groupies and medicines? Nope.
After a well mannered whereas, everyone seems to be kicked out, and your backstage expertise is over. Still, you might have a pleasant little memento in that factor you caught in your jacket, which was ruined due to the glue.
The subsequent stage of backstage cross is the “pre-show” cross. Again, it’s often a stick-on factor that permits 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, for those who’re fortunate, an image.
These pre-show occasions are often reserved for contest winners, native file firm individuals, native media (like radio people), and perhaps a few native acquaintances or associates of associates. Once you get your 15 seconds, you’re escorted into the group for the remainder of the evening. Thanks for coming.
Next within the meals chain is the VIP cross. This is the place backstage entry begins to get attention-grabbing since you may need some significant face time with the performer. Or not. Backstage, there are not any certain issues.
A VIP cross is commonly 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 inside sanctum room the place the performers spend somewhat extra time with the holders.
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 more energizing and of upper high quality than no matter may need been discovered within the outer inexperienced room. It’s a pleasant factor to have.
Before we go deeper into the nether areas of backstage, I ought to point out the picture cross. This doesn’t get you backstage. Instead, it permits accredited photographers entry to the area on the foot of the stage. You know the present is ready to start once they launch the photographers into that pit. The picture cross will get a photographer into that spot, often for the primary three songs. Once the third tune is finished, they’re hustled out. Again, thanks for coming.
Some passes enable you much more entry. “Local crew” passes will get you past the VIP inexperienced room, however most likely not into the dressing rooms. They are reserved for individuals working to make the gig occur: regionally employed roadies, caterers, safety, paramedics, medical employees, and so forth.
Above that’s the “working crew” cross. These are laminates issued to the highway crew and help employees travelling with the tour. They will 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 you probably have an escort. And that escort have to be in possession of the Holy Grail: the all-access cross.
An all-access cross will get you wherever, any time you need. On-stage in the course of the present. In the dressing room earlier than or after the gig and past. They bestow the holder with immense backstage superpowers.
Only a really, very choose few are issued passes with these sorts of magical powers. The band, in fact. Their supervisor. The highway supervisor. High-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 one in every 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 can get you there.
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