Sometimes It's Not About Money

Last Friday night, my Celtic folk band, The Boston Harbor Bhoys, performed at a venue where we’d never played before.

The gig came about a couple of weeks ago. The two other band members (my son Ryan and our keyboard man Michael) were each playing solo sets at a beer garden in Boston and I was there to watch. After his set, my son met a young man who promotes and puts together shows locally. When my son mentioned that he and the guy onstage at that moment played Irish music together, he offered us a gig. After exchanging the new fancy-schmancy digital business card I had on my phone, we were off to the races.

The Gulu-Gulu Cafe is an eclectic spot in an eclectic town, Salem MA, famous for witch trials and “Hocus Pocus.” We were looking forward to it until we heard the payout. It was next to nothing—way less than we usually get. We found ourselves wishing we’d asked more questions up front, but we’d already said yes. At least they had their own sound system, so all we had to do was plug in and play.

Our booker’s description of the place as being a little “loosey goosey” was quite accurate. There was a singer-songwriter scheduled to play before us and when her starting time came and went without anyone even starting to set up, we didn’t know what to expect. But once the sound guy did start setting up, it went quickly.

The opener was very good. Very chill and mellow. Probably a good contrast to what we’d be bringing.

Our setup took a little longer, being three of us, but it wasn’t bad. We did start later than expected, so we knew we’d have to adjust our setlist on the fly.

We don’t often play to attentive audiences. Our usual milieu is crowded pubs or special events where we are in the background, generally tucked into a nondescript corner, out of the way of the main event, socializing.

At the Gulu-Gulu we were on an actual stage. A large portion of the small crowd was truly listening, paying attention to us, and applauding enthusiastically after every song. The fact that this was not an Irish pub allowed us to be freer in our selections. We didn’t necessarily have to play the standard greatest hits that every Celtic bar band is expected to play. We did play a few of those, for sure, but only the ones we really wanted to.

We experimented a little, stepping out in front of the mics and rendering our three-part a capella harmony on “The Auld Triangle” completely unamplified. Even people who hadn’t particularly been listening stopped and did so.

We always have fun together, but this was different. The audience was really in it with us. The applause at the end of the night was long and vigorous.

I often tell people (brag? Perhaps.) that we are good at what we do. It’s nice to have that affirmed now and then.

Michael commented the next day that it was one of his favorite gigs we’d ever played. I think we all agree that we would perform there again, despite the small money.

Sometimes it isn’t about how much we’re being paid, but how much we’re being appreciated.