I took a class in 2012 about event planning and production that
gave me a real job experience: I got to work backstage on the Maroon 5
Overexposed Tour in my hometown, back in Brazil.
I was the only one that accepted the teacher’s offer to go
see the making of the event (which up until today seems odd) and I ended up
having the chance to help with the dressing rooms after one of the staff
members didn't show up.
After a tour of the venue and being introduced to the crew,
I started working. Stocking up refrigerators, making sure everything was just
like the band required, going around fixing lamps and cleaning the Maroon 5
yoga lounge, going to the supermarket because someone forgot to buy Adam
Levine’s tofu, helping the crew with cables, moving stuff around… I did
everything I was asked to do and I couldn’t be more excited.
I learned that there are a lot of details involved to put
together a major concert like that. I could see how important it is to rely on
someone else’s work, considering that yours might depend on it – how important
it is to trust that people are doing their best, and that being said, how
crucial it is to have the right people around you.
I also could see how difficult dealing with fans can be,
especially in stressful situations. The concert was delayed in over three hours due to some of
the band’s equipment being held at the airport, but the fans waiting didn’t
know that. It was a poor decision from the organization to keep this from them,
because being left in the dark caused revolt.
When they finally decided to make an announcement, a lot of
fans had already left, which caused major problems with tickets refunds later
on. One of the senior producers went on stage and explained the situation once
the equipment got to the venue – and it was incredible to see how fast people
can work and how fans are committed to their idols. It was a wonderful concert, after
all the trouble. For me, a great work experience that went beyond seeing my
favorite band live.
