What's on?

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by djtoast

That would make them exactly the best possible example.

because even if they are in theory available (not playing a gig that night by no means assures that: aside from rest days there are all sorts of other commitments they could have: media, whatever...) there's no way in hell the QM could put them on in a room the size of Qudos at a price that freshers would wanna ( / be able to) pay.

But for argument's sake, how about you give us a list of bands you think would be suitable, find out what they're doing that week, hell, make up a number for what you think they cost if you like; figure in support acts... Seriously, try it and let us know who we shoulda booked and how the balance sheet woulda looked.

Well they're playing Fubar in stirling on the first date of the tour which is, what, maximum 500 capacity so I'm not sure that your point entirely stands.

Originally Posted by djtoast

You're implying that the QM didn't BOTHER booking bands; I think it would be truer to say that the ents department, with an awareness of who might be available, decided that the best value that the available resources could buy didn't involve putting on the kind of program you have in mind.

I'm implying the QM didn't bother booking bands (for whatever reason), yes. That's what was said in this thread.

I think the Franz Ferdinand argument could easily be taken either way as there is quite a lot of assumptions in both our scenarios.

I still don't think it would have been impossible and a bad idea to book, say, a biggish DJ and biggish live artist ala the GU line-up.

Originally Posted by MC Kelly

Similarly, the previous comment about my tendency to snuggle up by the fire with mum instead of enjoying a night out seem entirely irrelevant to the thread.

Now, if it's an introduction you're looking for...hi, I'm Marie-Clare.

Sorry, I apologise. That was unfair and I didn't start this thread to have a slagging match.

[MC Kelly]

No problem. Sometimes I get narky when people slag boardieness...it can be stressful!

[liveross]

Originally Posted by MC Kelly

I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know you, or that you know me. Until such times as you 1) know who I am and 2) know what contribution I've made, you can keep such comments about its messiness or usefulness to yourself.

Completey irrelevant. You told me, as a QM member, that I could "like it or lump it", which I don't agree with. That is not a suitable reply to criticism. I couldn't care less what kind of contribution you have made to the union, but you need to learn tact.

[liveross]

Originally Posted by Jon Ashley

There's been a misinterpretation here. The ents department have looked extremely hard for big names acts for Freshers' Week. It's very unfortunate but we have been extremely unlucky.

The acts we could get, however, were wanting too much money for very little.

So we decided to invest the money off big names acts, which is a good idea I think.

You didn't say that until now. Like 'yaldie' has just said, one minute you are saying you want to spend money on the club nights, the next, you are saying you "tried" but couldn't.

What is it? Are you just trying to appease us now?

The problem with the QM and the GU is that they are both businesses, and independent. And because most of the people who are elected to serve on the board have very little experience of management, budgeting and organisation, we obviously hit snags. Now, some years you get boards that have people who, thankfully, have these characteristics, or at least, pull them off well, and other years you get people who have no clue of how to run anything, never mind a bath. So, we are going to have our ups and downs.

I'm sick of critique, I'm sick of the banter. I've said my word and now I'll have my peace.

Goodnight.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by liveross

You didn't say that until now. Like 'yaldie' has just said, one minute you are saying you want to spend money on the club nights, the next, you are saying you "tried" but couldn't.
Goodnight.

What he said.

(Without getting into a "if you don't like it, stand for election" debate or any kind of slagging match.)

[ally.h]

Originally Posted by liveross

What is it? Are you just trying to appease us now?

I believe Jon Ashley (and please correct me if I'm wrong Jon, but this is as far as I remember it) has always spoken about improving the overall experience for members of the QM's clubnights. This was not an idea that sprung up in retaliation to critique on this forum... His commitment to this has been evident at Ents committee meetings for at least the past year...

May I remind everyone that election to the BoM is not the only way to get your voice heard, and suggest committee involvement in the coming year to all members who wish to have more of a say in the running of the Union?

al.

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

I still don't think it would have been impossible and a bad idea to book, say, a biggish DJ and biggish live artist ala the GU line-up.

But why provide more of the same? Surely the unions should complement each other to provide an overall cross-campus FW lineup and not simply mimic the other?

al.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by ally.h

I believe Jon Ashley (and please correct me if I'm wrong Jon, but this is as far as I remember it) has always spoken about improving the overall experience for members of the QM's clubnights. This was not an idea that sprung up in retaliation to critique on this forum... His commitment to this has been evident at Ents committee meetings for at least the past year...

May I remind everyone that election to the BoM is not the only way to get your voice heard, and suggest committee involvement in the coming year to all members who wish to have more of a say in the running of the Union?

al.

So what is it then?

You decided big name acts weren't going to add to freshers week (I've said before and I'll say again - a point I understand but don't agree with).

OR

You wanted to book some big names but none were available so concentrated on working with what you could.

Both have been suggested.

Originally Posted by ally.h

But why provide more of the same? Surely the unions should complement each other to provide an overall cross-campus FW lineup and not simply mimic the other?

al.

You are really clutching at straws here. I thought the whole point was to have the best line-up?

EDIT:

OR

You wanted to complement the GU's line-up

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by ally.h

I believe Jon Ashley (and please correct me if I'm wrong Jon, but this is as far as I remember it) has always spoken about improving the overall experience for members of the QM's clubnights. This was not an idea that sprung up in retaliation to critique on this forum... His commitment to this has been evident at Ents committee meetings for at least the past year...

By the way, no-one is trying to suggest anything about commitment to club nights. I don't think that is questionable given the on going and long running success of Rev and Cheesy.

[ally.h]

it really depends on your opinion of 'good stuff' which i believe has been covered thoroughly by others earlier in this thread.

the executive and convenors are the only people who have the full picture when it comes to this years FW and i don't recall any of them saying this was a cash-saving exercise.

al.

[Jon Ashley]

Wait a second, where did I say that we hadn't approached big name acts? I simply said that we'd rather spend the money (which we thought was a waste on the bands that were willing to say "yes") on Rev and Cheesy. That's totally true. I want to make them extra special, because I love Rev and Cheesy and whilst they're normally brilliant I want to make them even better in FW - what's wrong with that?

Stop stirring, and stop looking for arguments.

I'm not trying to appease anyone, because frankly, that isn't my job as events convenor at the QM. My main intention to make our events as best they can be with the resources we have available. If you don't think I am doing so, please attend the next board meeting (provided you're a QM member), and plead your case. As far as I'm concerned, I'm doing my job - I hate student politics and had no reason to run if I didn't think I could do the job well.

"liveross", with regards to why you think cheesy is unenjoyable, feel free to e-mail me at j.ashley@qmu.org.uk because I can't do anything about it unless you tell me what's wrong. I'm more than willing to listen. And if you don't want to do it by e-mail, then we can meet. If you're the person I think you are, then you already have my mobile number. I'm more than willing to talk about our club nights. It's my job, after all.

Not all student politicians are in it for themselves.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by Jon Ashley

Wait a second, where did I say that we hadn't approached big name acts? I simply said that we'd rather spend the money (which we thought was a waste on the bands that were willing to say "yes") on Rev and Cheesy. That's totally true. I want to make them extra special, because I love Rev and Cheesy and whilst they're normally brilliant I want to make them even better in FW - what's wrong with that?

Listen, no-one (well certainly not me anyway) is criticising the boards general running of the union. I think the running of the QM is directly reflected Rev and Cheesy attendances, as these are the main focal point of the union for your average student who just wants to get pissed and have a boogie with his mates. Credit to you and whoever else is responsible for making Cheesy and Rev extra special.

I'm just pissed off there's no bands/djs (apart from GLC) at QM FW07 and pissed off that the QM are, in my opinion, going to loose out in freshers because the way it looks alongside the GU line-up.

That's pretty much all I have to say as otherwise I will be going in circles.

[poprock]

GLC are playing? Can I get signed in?

Or did they play already? Did I miss it?

[djtoast]

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

Well they're playing Fubar in stirling on the first date of the tour which is, what, maximum 500 capacity so I'm not sure that your point entirely stands.

Except for the fact that Student Union shows are seen by successful bands as a bit embarrassing (partly because very many Student Unions don't have proper live venues and the band ends up playing somewhere that was a cafeteria a few hours before) plus it can look a bit like being a "function" band, like when Stevie Wonder or Sting agree to play at the 18th birthday party of some American or Saudi billionaire's daughter.

So if the QM contact FF and say "hey, we're having a freshers' week even, will you play at it?" they probably say no, and if they do say yes, the fee is way higher than if DF book them for a series of tour dates...


As for whether anyone was misleading earlier, I think it went like this:

"You shoulda booked big-name bands"
"The QM decided that that wasn't the best way to provide entertainment this year"

Well the REASON they decided that was the unavailability / price of putting on that kinda entertainment. I don't think any deception was intended!

Anyhow, based on having seen a few Freshers' Weeks, (*negs Drew for his '70s remark*), I think the week has the potential to be a lot of fun...

[Semprini]

Originally Posted by fuckin-yaldie

That's pretty much all I have to say

Thank fuck.

[fuckin-yaldie]

Originally Posted by Semprini

Thank fuck.

Twat.

You didn't have to read my posts.