Please could you confirm the meal arrangements for the artist, including which meal(s) are being provided, what’s included / excluded, where meals will be taken, suitable time(s), and the contact person, so everything runs smoothly.

Dear GR,
Yes, payment is now required upfront. Due to recent issues, I have had to implement an emergency "pay to play" policy, meaning all bookings must be paid 100% in advance to be confirmed.
At this stage, your booking is being treated as an enquiry rather than a confirmed booking. Once full payment has been received, I will be able to secure the date for you.
I have re-attached my invoice for your reference. Please let me know once payment has been made or if you need any further details to process it.
Best regards,
RD

We are fully self-contained, meaning we provide our own amplification. However, for larger events, it is advisable to hire a separate AV (PA and/or lighting) to give the event the coverage it needs. We can assist facilitating this. Do let me know what the venue has in the way of a PA/sound system?

2/ you hadn’t downloaded the charts. You clearly hadn’t read any of my messages. I was literally hanging around in Acton waiting for your reply and wondering whether to bring my MacBook or not, whether to chase you another time.
When I don’t hear back, and I think “should I send him another message? Should I chase? Am I harassing? Am I a nuisance?” I just needed something off you. Anything. Smoke signals. A little communication before the day. Not suddenly faced with this problem on the day and having to sort it out on the fly.
This was after 2 heads up (via e-mail + WhatsApp group message) about me not printing charts. When I messaged you on the morning, you took nearly an hour to reply - by which point, it was too late and I was already on my way.

2/ you hadn’t downloaded the charts. You clearly hadn’t read any of my messages. I was literally hanging around in Acton waiting for your reply and wondering whether to bring my MacBook or not, whether to chase you another time.
When I don’t hear back, and I think “should I send him another message? Should I chase? Am I harassing? Am I a nuisance?” I just needed something off you. Anything. Smoke signals. A little communication before the day. Not suddenly faced with this problem on the day and having to sort it out on the fly.
This was after 2 heads up (via e-mail + WhatsApp group message) about me not printing charts. When I messaged you on the morning, you took nearly an hour to reply - by which point, it was too late and I was already on my way.

Nice to hear from you. I’m good thanks, how are you?
Thanks for letting me know about August, that’s absolutely fine from my perspective as producer; I’ve copied in CA in case she needs to OK things from her side or follow any set procedure. (I’ve taken a step back from managerial duties since CA joined us in Easter)

2/ you hadn’t downloaded the charts. You clearly hadn’t read any of my messages. I was literally hanging around in Acton waiting for your reply and wondering whether to bring my MacBook or not, whether to chase you another time.
When I don’t hear back, and I think “should I send him another message? Should I chase? Am I harassing? Am I a nuisance?” I just needed something off you. Anything. Smoke signals. A little communication before the day. Not suddenly faced with this problem on the day and having to sort it out on the fly.
This was after 2 heads up (via e-mail + WhatsApp group message) about me not printing charts. When I messaged you on the morning, you took nearly an hour to reply - by which point, it was too late and I was already on my way.

Yes, I’ll consolidate these notes this evening. I don’t have to be there for all of it.
I usually work during the day 08:30-17:30.
I might be able to finish work at 4:30pm tomorrow and I’m in King’s Cross so quite near you. So ETA 5pm if I get to Finsbury Park. Let me just check that’s OK otherwise it’d be about 6pm.
The notes do indeed repeat and some of them might not be required. I’ll double check this evening and consolidate it into 1 document.

Hi RD 
Thank you very much for sending this information. However, in this occasion we are not available to take on this work. 
Thanks in advance 
KG and Eddie

Hi OS,
No worries, thank you for letting me know.
Thanks,
RD

[15:45, 13/02/2020] OS : Also, thanks for the invitation for 18th sept. Think I will unfortunately have to turn it down because of school. Sorry.

​DIÁSPORA
UNITED IN THE LATIN BEAT
www.diaspora.co.uk
​
On 7 Feb 2020, at 14:21, RD wrote:
Hi OS,
I hope you're well.
Please can I find out your Availability for Tenor Saxophone in Diáspora - 9-piece on 18/09/2020
Details attached and below.
Look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Thanks,
RD

On 26th August 2024 RD was booked to perform as "Gay Sax" for DP 2024. KLJ Jones booked him 8 months in advance and the fee was £50 +travel expenses, which is RD's "mates rate" considering that the minimum usually charged for commercial clients is £220 within 50 miles of Stroud, GL5 or London, SW1A.
RD was allocated to a separate stage from the main stage, as per the formula last year. However, due to the venue which was slightly different- a field called 'The Rectory' instead of the Chantry centre- RD's smaller marquee for performance was positioned incorrectly. It was placed at a right angle to the main stage (truck) rather than being at the opposite end of the field.
Sadly, it rained on 25th August so they weren't able to erect the marquee until the 26th. KLJ arrived at 7am to find that the marquee (its poles at least) was erected in this location, but she alleged that it was too late. I personally would have asked them to dismantle and move it there and then.
This meant that the saxophone performances as 'RD' had to be timed so as not to conflict with the activities on the main stage.
The other issue is that the schedule was not sent round, and due to the organiser (TW) delegating KLJ to book the music, but then booking bands of her own without notifying KLJ, there was some miscommunication. Also, several of the acts cancelled at the last minute. This threw KLJ and her perception of control over the proceedings into disarray and left her flustered and stressed, such that her son, Michael, who was the lead drag queen "Neon", ended up taking the reins and doing the compering and calling the shots. Obviously, being the lead drag queen, he was prioritising those performances over the RD sax act that his mother KLJ had booked.
As a result, there was some confusion and disagreements over when RD should play. KLJ repeatedly told RD to play whenever he wishes, but then she kept receiving instructions from elsewhere, from the drag queens, and other MainStage acts, that RD was too loud and either needed to turn down or stop playing completely. RD's prepared sax sets were interrupted and paused multiple times without warning. This happened between 3-5x.
For most of the afternoon, RD was booked (between 1-6) but unable to perform. This meant cutting most of set 2, and the entirety of set 3 out of the 3 'Gay sax' sets prepared.
At one point, during set 2, a woman from the "Some Voices" choir unexpectedly came into RD's marquee and instructed him to stop playing. She said that the choir are very quiet and won't be heard. RD asked her 'what time will the choir be performing until approximately, just so I know what to expect?' All other times he had been stopped, he had at least been advised of how long the MainStage sets were expected to last whether 15 minutes, 30 or 45, or how many acts were due on before the next break when he could resume performing.
This woman walked away without answering his question. The girl who was playing flute with RD asked the woman loudly if she could tell RD what time the choir finish approximately. The woman slightly flustered turned around and said 'who knows. You've had your run now.' The woman wasn't even in charge of the festival or one of the organisers, I believe she was with the choir.
RD responded 'that wasn't necessary. I have been booked for this event. If you have an issue, take it up with the organiser.' As soon as the woman walked away, RD and the girl playing flute exchanged words of shock, and KLJ walked back in. The girl explained to KLJ what had happened and how RD responded. KLJ advocated for RD's response and said he handled it well; she would have told the cow to f*ck off. She said she can't stand people like that. RD smoothed things over and reassured her he's used to philistines and ignorant people. RD could see KLJ was visibly stressed throughout the day. So although he was stressed and fed up as well, he could see KLJ was doing her best to help him feel informed and being apologetic. So while he had no issue with KLJ (she was lovely), he did encourage her that they booked her to organise the music and it was well within her rights for her to direct and take a lead, and not succumb to peer pressure from other organisers.
Some of the entertainment was quite tasteless and dumbed down. For example, the "Some Voices" choir were singing Padam Padam by Kylie which has suggestive lyrics, while kids were present. There were drag queens leading a mass crowd rendition of 'YMCA'. Generally, the entertainment was very commercialised and banal.
RD did get to play at the end. However, he had given up trying to appease the audience because they didn't seem to be paying him the slightest bit of attention, despite the possibility that he was the only paid musical act, booked by KLJ and the Jones family who appreciated his music. So instead of playing the rest of his Pride medley (who would notice anyway?) he used the 5-6pm slot to rehearse his set for the Long Table, a jazz gig due to happen on the 31st. Most people had gone home by then anyway and people were packing up, so the Brazilian and Bossa Nova vibes created a nice chilled atmosphere.
RD is open to performing at the 2025 festival (should he be asked), despite his parents advising him not to, but RD is not too fussed either way, especially because he doesn't buy into the gender ideology that seems to dominate pride festivals, which don't seem to be about being gay anymore. However, if asked, he would remind KLJ or whoever is booking him the importance of planning the music so that the venue works and that the timings and logistics are better organised. KLJ said a few times that she probably won't do it next year due to the stress, but we don't know if she was just saying that out of frustration.
Also, the lead organiser had 20 epileptic fits due to stress and had to be carted off in A&E, RD thinks that this is possibly because she takes too much testosterone. The whole thing was a bit of a shambles, but there was a good turnout and people seemed to enjoy it, even if they didn't hear much of RD's music.

RD:
I’m missing
2x blue Jack lead
1x black mains connector for the piano
My parents address (to post):
[address]
I think that's all I'm missing but I'll check my packing again tonight and let you know if anything else
Thank you so much

RD (Producer): "Meals: Please can I check if refreshments / food & drink are provided for the musicians?... Maybe 18:30 / curfew time? As there is a very short interval between sets 1 & 2."
RD (Producer): "What is the arrangement regarding the band rider and what time will the band be eating tomorrow?"
RD (Producer): "Hi CS most of the band are leaving at 21:00 😬 I did highlight this in my email to TL."
CS (Wedding Coordinator): "TL and Claire have provided pizza for you. This will be available at 9:30."

RD’s messages to PM:
[24/04/2022, 17:00:27] RD: ‎image omitted
[24/04/2022, 19:48:08] RD: LE and TR having a go at me 😿
[24/04/2022, 19:48:18] RD: Complaining no water 😰
[24/04/2022, 19:48:35] RD: Totally having a go at me 😞
[24/04/2022, 19:50:02] RD: I gave them a bottle each, but I can’t believe that after everything…😓
[24/04/2022, 20:00:41] RD: Sorry I am still a bit shaken by their behaviour but we managed to calm them down and I gave them a bottle each
[24/04/2022, 20:00:57] RD: It’s just unbelievable that they acted like this when They gave me no. Price
[24/04/2022, 20:00:59] RD: Notice
[24/04/2022, 20:01:53] RD: I suggested to them and then they speak to the clients they declined that they said that this made them feel uncomfortable
I then suggested that they speak to you but LE was like I want to speak to *you*
[24/04/2022, 20:02:19] RD: They just banged it on me out of the blue without any warning and just expected it like some unwritten rule as though it was obvious
[24/04/2022, 20:02:39] RD: I reminded them about the artist review from last time

[20/01/2023, 12:02:21] RD: Like what happened with TR in April, I increased his fee like 3x because he was being a diva
===
[15/09/2022, 21:53:24] TR WhatsApp: Hi RD, how are you
[15/09/2022, 21:53:48] TR WhatsApp: I write you because finally I will be in London on 15 of October
[15/09/2022, 21:54:11] TR WhatsApp: There is more Diaspora? 😜🎤🤞🏼💃🏼
[18/10/2022, 13:06:04] TR WhatsApp: Hi RD, how are you?
[18/10/2022, 13:13:35] RD: Hey TR, I'm good thanks, how are you? Are you back in London now?
[18/10/2022, 13:17:44] TR WhatsApp: Yes, I will be until December 😜

I usually take payment via BACS on the Monday before the event date, i.e., in this case will be 07/10/2024 ahead of 13/10/2024. No deposit needed as it’s a mates rates deal!

Hi GW,
I hope you have enjoyed your week so far.
Sadly, I cannot fulfil this booking or sign this contract due to the non-availability of musicians.
Please can we cancel this booking?
I am available to perform solo and cover vocals, sax and flute with backing tracks, and I can recommend live percussionist to join me should the client wish. I am happy to discuss alternative options. However, if we can please cancel the band booking at this point, this would be safest.
Any questions, feel free to drop me a line.
Thanks,
RD

2/ you hadn’t downloaded the charts. You clearly hadn’t read any of my messages. I was literally hanging around in Acton waiting for your reply and wondering whether to bring my MacBook or not, whether to chase you another time.
When I don’t hear back, and I think “should I send him another message? Should I chase? Am I harassing? Am I a nuisance?” I just needed something off you. Anything. Smoke signals. A little communication before the day. Not suddenly faced with this problem on the day and having to sort it out on the fly.
This was after 2 heads up (via e-mail + WhatsApp group message) about me not printing charts. When I messaged you on the morning, you took nearly an hour to reply - by which point, it was too late and I was already on my way.

Sorry for the slightly delayed report-back. Thank you for the booking; we enjoyed the gig very much. The clients loved it, and so did the guests and the staff. Oscar said he would like to book us again, so watch this space! However, I just wanted to bring a couple of things to your attention. There were a few fluctuations with the timings, which we corrected on the night. We were contracted 17:00-21:30, with the band performances due to take place between 19:15-21:30. The performances were brought forward to 18:55-20:45. It was fine for us; we understand that this is often the changeable nature of corporate events with multiple moving parts. I also re-clarify the order of ceremonies in the Show Advance (that way, everyone knows beforehand what to expect). However, due to the room layout and the speeches occurring after the band’s performance, we could not break down immediately following the performance without interrupting the proceedings. It resulted in an unforeseen post-performance curfew approx 20:45-21:45. Usually, I would charge for this under the “Late” component of the quote (see attached PDF, this would fall under “Trail Time” 60 Minutes Inactive @10%). Since nothing was agreed in advance (the curfew was unexpected), I would not charge for this but just wanted to flag that this happened. Fortunately, the clients supplied us with pizzas and drinks and were generally really lovely, so all was well. So, whilst I have no complaints at all about the way we were treated by the client, it highlighted a minor oversight that might be worth bearing in mind in future. Nothing you need to act upon or pass on to Oscar, but I thought that it might be wise to notify you. I am sure that this happens with other bands, too!

[12/02/2022, 00:09:54] RD: And the drummer was taking ages to position his music between songs resulting in long awkward silences

Hi RD,
Any chance you have booked a guitarist for 11th June yet? Client is chasing me up about their dietary requirements still 🙄
Best wishes,
BG

We have to be a bit careful with giving out email addresses etc due to GDPR so probs best if you get them when you call….sorry to be a stickler!