What's on?

[erithromycin]

Right, okay, I see - it's just it isn't 1 act against 3. The GUU's announced acts: Dave Pearce (Radio 1); Dizzee Rascal; and The Cut Up Boys. There's your three. They've got other events, but the odds of folks off Glasgow's campus having heard of Subcity, the Dialectic Society, or GUSA are slender.

Against which, the QMU have: Martin Bate (Xfm), who may play the QM weekly, but still works for a national (well, Scotland) radio station; Goldie Lookin' Chain; Respek-BA (I gather he's some sort of emcee); Rhythm and Blues and Hop Hip DJ Gavin Sommerville; Microsluts; four standups (including one from 6music's Sunday morning show); Headphone Disco. Now, alright, Goldie Lookin' Chain are the most famous of those, but I make that ten. Eleven if you count QMU legend and compere Sandy Nelson.

So yes, 1 versus 3 is a concern, if you look at big name acts alone. Look at acts full stop, and it's 3 versus 11. 3 versus 7 if you lump all the comedy together into a single entertainer, a sort of monstrous gestalt harlequin. The QM's acts would seem to cover a wider range, the GUU's are probably more famous individually, and added up they've likely got different numbers of fans. I wouldn't even attempt to quantify that. Most folks I know who've been to nights like Headphone Disco would not hesitate to go to another, nor to recommend it to a friend, and I'd hope that's the case with their night at the QM. It's about priorities: It looks to me like the QM have aimed for variety, such that different groups will try the QM and enjoy themselves; I count hip-hop, metal, 'cheese', comedy, audience participation with the quizzes. The GU have gone for names, but they've got hip-hop, 'cheese', sports if you count GUSA, audience participation with their quizzes and debates (no Iron Stomach?). Different audiences. Now, will folk go to Dizzee Rascal instead of Goldie Lookin' Chain? I'd be amazed if they didn't. Will folk who see Dizzee Rascal be able to go and listen to another set of hip hop acts in the QM afterwards? Yes. Is having the same kind of event on the same night a good plan? I personally, don't think so, but numerous solutions to that have been tried, and the focus on competition between the Unions does damage to that, but past attempts to work together with things like Palais Nights have been so riven with difficulty (and, indeed, idiocy) that they were abandoned. Good communication within the CCFWC can help with that, but I don't know how that's gone. GLC might appeal to those who fancy a silly night out, I figure.

I'm also hoping that the QM's myspace has 'friended or whatever it is kids on myspace do all the acts playing Freshers' Week. It'd allow folks to listen to acts they weren't familiar with for free, get a taste, see if they like it. Admittedly, I also hope that myspace catches fire, even if it is an impressive example of massive growth and the network effect, and the weird kind of patchwork credibility that is defining our shared Internet future.

Sorry if that seems a little disjointed. I have a cat on my chest.

[Mr Insincere]

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

You have proved yourself to be a complete and utter fuckwit

A charge of which you are clearly not guilty.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by erithromycin

Against which, the QMU have: Martin Bate (Xfm), who may play the QM weekly, but still works for a national (well, Scotland) radio station; Goldie Lookin' Chain; Respek-BA (I gather he's some sort of emcee); Rhythm and Blues and Hop Hip DJ Gavin Sommerville; Microsluts; four standups (including one from 6music's Sunday morning show); Headphone Disco. Now, alright, Goldie Lookin' Chain are the most famous of those, but I make that ten. Eleven if you count QMU legend and compere Sandy Nelson.

Look, you can't argue that the QMs line-up isn't dissapointing and sub-standard this year so do don't try to.

In ideal world I think we're all agreed that the QM would have some big acts booked in but, for whatever reason (doubling the "goodness" of cheesy, finances, logistics, creating a line-up that complements the gu's, plastic glasses, whatever else), couldn't.

You don't have to go as far as to say that the board have fucked up but don't try and suggest that this is the best line-up the QM would have hoped to put on, because it isn't. You know that and I know that.

Put your shovel down and stop digging that hole.

Originally Posted by Mr Insincere

A charge of which you are clearly not guilty.

My points (whether you agree with them or not), at least follow a logical line of argument. Just because I am concerned about QM FW 07 doesn not mean I am a complete and utter fuckwit.

Making posts like the following, however, does:

Originally Posted by Potatojunkie

Argument: People are declaring an event to be a failure before it has occured, and this is stupid.

Counter-Argument #1: Strathclyde University exists.

Counter-Argument #2: Plastic glasses are inexpensive.

You wanted to get more school leavers into higher education, Mr. Blair? Well fuck you. Fuck you very much.

[djtoast]

I'm just itching though to hear what the QM should have done?

(Specifically... who they should have booked, or whatever.)

Your argument only makes sense when you start from a perspective which I reject - even using the phrase "line-up" ; we've tended to talk about a "program" of events, ie we're gonna do a bunch of stuff, some of which may involve bands... but it isn't ever the "line-up" (of bands) that the QM has tried to use to sell the idea of joining and using the QM to freshers.

Far more people on an average week use the food factory to eat than go to events at the QM. The shop must do way more trade on a friday than Cheesy Pop. Fuckit, the bank machines doubtless "outperform" Rev as a reason to go into Qudos.

There weren't any bands available during FW that it would have made sense to book; we're nonetheless putting on a wide raning and strong program and we hope it will be a fun week.

If anyone wants to stand outside the QM with a sandwich board that reads "The end of the world is nigh" they can, but arguing from a somewhat uninformed perspective (as I proved spectacularly when I mixed up last year with 2003), - which anyone who hasn't booked a FW will frankly be in - is ultimately pointless.

Which is why Potatojunkie's remarks above represent about the cleverest statement on here.

[endless psych]

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

I just wish I could say the same for endless "not enough glasses" psych...

My points (whether you agree with them or not), at least follow a logical line of argument. Just because I am concerned about QM FW 07 doesn not mean I am a complete and utter fuckwit.

Making posts like the following, however, does:

The point about plastic glasses, an utterly moot point anyway which for some unknown reason you jumped upon, did not really follow anyones definition of logic I am familiar with.

Your arguement seemed to be "You don't need to spend money on plastics because each time one is used your selling beer." However you can't sell the beer without the plastics. You will make an eventual surplus (probably in one night or less depending upon how many but it doesn't change the fact that how much beer you will eventually sell has no actual bearing on the fact you won't have sold it until you get the plastics...

And no because you are concerned about Freshers Week '07 does not make you a complete fuckwit - the manner in which you are conducting your "logical line of arguement" does.

Spot the unintentional quote related hilarity for bonus points

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by djtoast

I'm just itching though to hear what the QM should have done?

1. Booked some biggish acts, GU managed to do it. So did Strathy.

2. That's pretty much it...

In Freshers week you're competing against the GU (and to a much lesser extent Strathy and clubs in town). You have to strive to make your week better than the competition. If I was a fresher I would be thinking that QM FW 07 does not currently appear to be better than the competetion.

Let's just hope the QM can PR and PR until the cows come home, because, right now, that's the only hope they've got.

Originally Posted by endless psych

The point about plastic glasses, an utterly moot point anyway which for some unknown reason you jumped upon, did not really follow anyones definition of logic I am familiar with.

Your arguement seemed to be "You don't need to spend money on plastics because each time one is used your selling beer." However you can't sell the beer without the plastics. You will make an eventual surplus (probably in one night or less depending upon how many but it doesn't change the fact that how much beer you will eventually sell has no actual bearing on the fact you won't have sold it until you get the plastics...

And no because you are concerned about Freshers Week '07 does not make you a complete fuckwit - the manner in which you are conducting your "logical line of arguement" does.

Spot the unintentional quote related hilarity for bonus points

Please, just stop now.

[erithromycin]

"disappointing and substandard"?

I've said the QMU should always work to make Freshers' Week better, and I genuinely believe that. As such, no line-up is going to be satisfying. That's how continual improvement works. Resting on laurels gets you nowhere. Laurels don't go there anyway.

I've said that I feel the QMU has organised the best Freshers' Week it can, and I also genuinely believe that. If that Freshers' Week isn't what it was hoped to be (and again I think it too early to tell), then the best thing to do is help the QM to organise a better one. I know that the tools are in place to allow the QM to take stock and understand any failures (which Freshers' Week cannot be judged to be until after the fact) and move on from there. That's also part and parcel of the process of continual improvement.

Did you miss the parts where I said none of the three lineups being discussed appeal to me? If I were a Fresher heading to either University, then the lineups would be a disappointment.

As for 'substandard', what do you consider the standard to be? When I was talking about 'Bananaman' that wasn't a joke. Unions have paid around a thousand pounds for a guy in a yellow suit with an inflatable banana. Not the QM or GUU in my experience, mind, but we used to get his publicity stuff through the post. I'm genuinely curious as to what you, personally, expect a Freshers' Week to include. Care to elucidate?

NB: I don't own a shovel. I have an entrenching tool. This isn't a hole. These are fortifications.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by erithromycin

"disappointing and substandard"?

I've said the QMU should always work to make Freshers' Week better, and I genuinely believe that. As such, no line-up is going to be satisfying. That's how continual improvement works. Resting on laurels gets you nowhere. Laurels don't go there anyway.

I agree

Originally Posted by erithromycin

I've said that I feel the QMU has organised the best Freshers' Week it can, and I also genuinely believe that. If that Freshers' Week isn't what it was hoped to be (and again I think it too early to tell), then the best thing to do is help the QM to organise a better one. I know that the tools are in place to allow the QM to take stock and understand any failures (which Freshers' Week cannot be judged to be until after the fact) and move on from there. That's also part and parcel of the process of continual improvement.

I accept this, I don't doubt the QMU tried as hard as it could. I'm now beginning to think that they weren't, however up to the job in the first place. Still, not much anyone can do about that now is there?

Originally Posted by erithromycin

As for 'substandard', what do you consider the standard to be? When I was talking about 'Bananaman' that wasn't a joke. Unions have paid around a thousand pounds for a guy in a yellow suit with an inflatable banana. Not the QM or GUU in my experience, mind, but we used to get his publicity stuff through the post. I'm genuinely curious as to what you, personally, expect a Freshers' Week to include. Care to elucidate?

The standard I am comparing it to is my freshers week, FW 04, where Biffy and Mr Scruff played.

Originally Posted by erithromycin

NB: I don't own a shovel. I have an entrenching tool. This isn't a hole. These are fortifications.

As much as I disagree with a lot of what you say I do like your well written and intelligent posts. Cheers.

[erithromycin]

Originally Posted by djtoast

Which is why Potatojunkie's remarks above represent about the cleverest statement on here.

My material is wasted on you people.

Ignoring the fact that it's a programme of events (no computers involved), Toast's point about the Food Factory, shop, and cash machine is totally correct. Hell, more people have lunch in the QM than can occupy Qudos safely. Though thinking on it, it'd be brilliant if the QM booked someone off of Big Brother and got them to make sandwiches or something in the canteen. As long as they didn't get paid too much, I think it would be hilarious. Admittedly, the staff would probably revolt.

As for 'bigger acts', eleven is bigger than three. More and smaller is often better than less and bigger, and this has been my experience with Freshers (Week).

[erithromycin]

Okay, cool - Biffy and Scruff were ace, by all accounts. Biffy got caught when they were touring, if memory serves, which was a piece of luck. Mr. Scruff was available, and at the time the Board were big fans of his work, so he was pursued with some vigour.

You're right that, if the QM weren't up to the job, there's not much that can be done immediately, but there are processes in place (continual improvement, natch) to ensure that these experiences are learned from. No Freshers' Week, despite efforts, has ever cleft to a single person's vision, but engendering a shift in policy or culture towards 'bigger acts', whatever the ultimate goal, is something that you as an individual can participate in by getting involved. Stepping in now, I can't speak for, except from my own experience which is that an extra pair of hands is usually welcome, but the Entertainments and Social committees start their meetings in the first actual week of term, and you're welcome to attend them. That's one of the privileges afforded to members.

I, personally, don't think that many small acts rather than a few big ones will affect the QM's membership numbers nor how much folk will enjoy it, but that's from my experience so far. I reached this position through observation and logic, and I'm quite willing to change my mind if the evidence suggests it. It will have to compete with almost a decade of earlier Freshers' Weeks in that, but given how drastically my view of the event has changed over that time I don't think it's set in stone just yet. I'll never like tribute acts though, no matter how successful they might be, but that doesn't stop me from recommending them where they might be useful. I'd hope the QM considered them, not least because they've got the advantage of being familiar, but also cheap. I don't know who was available though, and I will admit to disappointment if they weren't considered. Suggesting them for future Freshers' Weeks is pretty straightforward though - attending one of the Committees I mentioned is a start, and since both of those feed directly to the organisation of the QM's Freshers' Week now, that'd be the route that I would pick.

[ally.h]

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

The standard I am comparing it to is my freshers week, FW 04, where Biffy and Mr Scruff played.

Mr Scruff wasn't really part of FW though. It was on the Saturday and a regular DF Concerts hire by the looks of the ad on the back of the QM handbook 2004. If we're counting stuff like that we could easily bolster this years programme of events with Zane Lowe. But I don't think we should because it's the Fresher's Pass we're really talking about.

al.

ps. Hammer, I agree, which is why I am continuing to post in this thread. I thought it was useful to point out the contact information though, just in case anyone wanted it since it is the summer and it's more difficult for people to get in touch when they may not be in Glasgow itself.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by ally.h

Mr Scruff wasn't really part of FW though. It was on the Saturday and a regular DF Concerts hire by the looks of the ad on the back of the QM handbook 2004. If we're counting stuff like that we could easily bolster this years programme of events with Zane Lowe. But I don't think we should because it's the Fresher's Pass we're really talking about.

al.

ps. Hammer, I agree, which is why I am continuing to post in this thread. I thought it was useful to point out the contact information though, just in case anyone wanted it since it is the summer and it's more difficult for people to get in touch when they may not be in Glasgow itself.

I totally forgot about Zane Lowe actually. If freshers have arrived by then you can pretty much count it as part of freshers week.

[erithromycin]

If you're counting Zane Lowe, then since Freshers have arrived by Freshers' Week, then the Dykeenies and Maccabees would be in there as well. Which would take it to 3 and 4. Or, if I persist with the jest, 3 and sixteen. As Ally said though, that'd be against the rules.

Still, that takes it to two and three, 'big names', anyway, and two of them are Radio 1 DJs. So it looks a bit better already, eh?

As was long the motto (not the mission statement, mind) of the QM - "it'll be fine!"

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by erithromycin

If you're counting Zane Lowe, then since Freshers have arrived by Freshers' Week, then the Dykeenies and Maccabees would be in there as well. Which would take it to 3 and 4. Or, if I persist with the jest, 3 and sixteen. As Ally said though, that'd be against the rules.

Still, that takes it to two and three, 'big names', anyway, and two of them are Radio 1 DJs. So it looks a bit better already, eh?

As was long the motto (not the mission statement, mind) of the QM - "it'll be fine!"

"It'll be fine" - I honestly hope so and wish everyone involved in the organisation the best of luck. I didn't come on here to have a go for the sake of it.

Two DJs, have i missed one? Zane + ?

[erithromycin]

Dave Pearce, innit? I meant of the five big names between the two. The QM's got Martin Bate as well though, as was pointed out. By me.

As for coming on to have a go, it looked to me a bit more like you got swept up in the blustery incomprehension that is characteristic of a conversational medium that is both asynchronous and bereft of more common meaning cues like facial expression and tone of voice. Such is Internet.