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Band members' demands not so demanding
By Ashley Rhodebeck
Daily News staff writer
By 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Riverfest backstage co-chair Stephanie West had already been stationed at the Jones Pavilion for 90 minutes and had about 18 hours of work ahead of her, including meeting the road manager for that night's main act, Seether, and learning what the band really wanted in terms of food.
Prior to Riverfest's start, West organized all the main stage acts' menu requests by creating a three-ring binder for each group. Additionally, she began compiling a spreadsheet of their needs to strategize how to fulfill them.
However, West stopped building the spreadsheet because she learned the road managers would tell her what the bands really wanted upon their arrival.
Usually the musicians' contracts will contain odd requests, such as 375 cans of Red Bull, backstage co-chair Duane Drevdahl said. This way, he explained, when Riverfest organizers call to ask if the group truly needs that many beverages, the band's representatives know the planners read the contract.
Riverfest officials budgeted about $5,000 for the food that goes in the bands' dressing rooms and planned to have the hot meals catered by Peter Gabriel, owner of Domenico's and La Casa Grande.
First impressions of the musicians' requests made West realize what kind of privileged life they get to live.
Seether wanted basic items, such as hot dogs, beef jerky and Doritos, but, West, said, the requests get more interesting as the week progresses.
For example, the Beach Boys wanted many organic items, requesting dolphin-safe tuna and specified that certain foods are to be steamed, not canned.
“They want fresh dessert,” West said. “You can't throw down a bag of Oreos for them.”
Joan Jett, a vegan, also provided specific cooking instructions, West said, noting the musician wants her food cooked at a certain temperature.
REO Speedwagon asked for fresh fish, fresh fruit and vegetables and said on Friday nights - the day the band is scheduled to perform - the members prefer chicken fried rice.
This year's requests follow the trends Drevdahl has noticed throughout the years: the older groups tend to eat healthier while the younger musicians are happy with greasy food, like pizza or tacos.
Any leftover snacks will leave with the groups, West said, explaining many use this as a way to stock their busses because they don't have the opportunity to shop for groceries themselves. And, in Jett's case, she will take a specially prepared meal with her for her flight out of Chicago.
Prior to Riverfest's start, West organized all the main stage acts' menu requests by creating a three-ring binder for each group. Additionally, she began compiling a spreadsheet of their needs to strategize how to fulfill them.
However, West stopped building the spreadsheet because she learned the road managers would tell her what the bands really wanted upon their arrival.
Usually the musicians' contracts will contain odd requests, such as 375 cans of Red Bull, backstage co-chair Duane Drevdahl said. This way, he explained, when Riverfest organizers call to ask if the group truly needs that many beverages, the band's representatives know the planners read the contract.
Riverfest officials budgeted about $5,000 for the food that goes in the bands' dressing rooms and planned to have the hot meals catered by Peter Gabriel, owner of Domenico's and La Casa Grande.
First impressions of the musicians' requests made West realize what kind of privileged life they get to live.
Seether wanted basic items, such as hot dogs, beef jerky and Doritos, but, West, said, the requests get more interesting as the week progresses.
For example, the Beach Boys wanted many organic items, requesting dolphin-safe tuna and specified that certain foods are to be steamed, not canned.
“They want fresh dessert,” West said. “You can't throw down a bag of Oreos for them.”
Joan Jett, a vegan, also provided specific cooking instructions, West said, noting the musician wants her food cooked at a certain temperature.
REO Speedwagon asked for fresh fish, fresh fruit and vegetables and said on Friday nights - the day the band is scheduled to perform - the members prefer chicken fried rice.
This year's requests follow the trends Drevdahl has noticed throughout the years: the older groups tend to eat healthier while the younger musicians are happy with greasy food, like pizza or tacos.
Any leftover snacks will leave with the groups, West said, explaining many use this as a way to stock their busses because they don't have the opportunity to shop for groceries themselves. And, in Jett's case, she will take a specially prepared meal with her for her flight out of Chicago.
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