A look into the juggernaut Riot Guys Productions
Often times, being a promoter is super fulfilling, other times it sucks huge hairy balls. Anyone not involved in the production of a show is extremely unaware of what goes into making a show happen. Trying to get the residents of Idaho Falls to leave their houses and support local music is one of the hardest things when it comes to booking shows, especially when booking at a venue that is not a popular bar with a following. The target demographic of 15-40 is a very broad spectrum. Half of the audience cannot afford to go to a show because their parents will not lend them money and the other half is too busy with their general lives to care about the local scene. I have had super positive experiences since starting this, but I have also had super negative experiences with being a promoter as well.
When I first started Riot Guys Productions with Robyn Peterson our first show was Spring Riot 2016. We booked four of our friends’ bands at The Sickhouse. This show was by far the best experience I’ve had while being a promoter. About a month after we booked the show and started promoting it, Drowning Pool was booked the same day at a separate venue in Idaho Falls. Having a well-known, washed up radio band show the same day as our local show created a huge obstacle for us, but somehow we overcame all odds and Idaho Falls showed up. We wrist banded 240 people before we pulled the till and stopped counting. The vibe that night was insane! Unlike other venues at the same time all of these people were at our venue getting along and meshing in a way I had not seen before, it was almost as if we were all a big family.
As far as bad experiences go, I don’t have anything bad to say when it comes to the actual booking of the shows, bands, or anything like that. My negative experiences have come from the negative attention I have received from other promoters and their supporters, and even on occasion local radio personalities because I have always supported Brian Swacina and The Sickhouse. The only other annoying aspect to being a promoter is when you book opening bands that don’t stay for the whole show. It is a common courtesy to support those who supported your band through your set. My reason for saying that is the main reason I book shows is to help support my friends and keep the local music scene alive and without an audience none of that would be possible.
If you like the idea of a local music scene and everything it entails, you have to support not only your local bands but your local venues. Without your support, without you buying merchandise, drinks and paying entry fees it all falls apart. The music scene is a glass house held up on tooth pick columns. It is fragile. Without the support of the community the whole thing will fall apart. In all of my experiences since we began Riot Guys Productions we have been super lucky to have the community support that we do. That along with the support of the Gnome Crew anything is possible.
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Writer
Jonny Nichols
Editor
Chloe O'Laughlin
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