What It Takes to Make a Performance Possible: The Magic Behind the Show

"The big payoff of my job is watching the bands you work with achieve success. That's the best part of my job."

     The job of talent buyer, booker, and promoter, Steve Hoeg, isn't always an easy one - but it is a rewarding one. Fifteen years later in the music industry, working a 16-17 hour day isn't unusual, "It's a non-stop job. No one gets a break especially the night of the show." From the second the doors open the day of a show, he does not get a minute to himself.

      Hoeg's job is especially hectic, as he is a full time booker at the Rockpile, organizing many of its shows. Since the Rockpile is located in Etobicoke, Ontario, rather than downtown Toronto, he does 90% of all the bookings, versus a promoter working downtown, "There are less promoters at the Rockpile, so I organize about 12-14 shows a month all by myself," says Hoeg.

     Aside from making the majority of the shows at the Rockpile possible, Steve Hoeg also promotes shows taking place in other locations. For instance, he is currently working on organizing an upcoming show for The Misfits at The Opera House in Toronto. However, he never forgets to look after the Rockpile and its many shows to come, "I make sure I look after the Rockpile first, then work on bigger events," he states. The bigger the shows the better, and he always wants to make sure locals are given a chance.

                                                                                    Right: A show Hoeg recently organized at 
                                                                               the Rockpile, with King Conquer headlining
 
   Although Hoeg was never a performer himself, he understands the pressure that emerging bands are under. Since he used to manage his son's band, Futures Past,  he saw how unfair certain promoters would treat budding bands. This is where his moral work ethic stems from, "This taught me to treat other bands the way I would want my son's band to be treated." This is seen as the Rockpile doesn't take financial cuts of bands' hard-earned merchandise sales. Hoeg insures that he does not take advantage of new bands and he gives them a chance to make it in the music industry. He says, "Making it big in the music industry is like a lottery - it is extremely competitive. I want to make sure I give them [the bands] a chance. Give the kids a chance and let them live their dream." A prime example of this is his work with Canadian band, Structures.

     Steve Hoeg had begun working with Structures when they were eleven-years-old. Eight years later, they now reached success: they have 63 390 fans on Facebook, are currently touring with the band Architects, and have played in Russia. "The big payoff of my job is watching the bands you work with achieve success. That's the best part of my job," he says. Aside from working with Structures, other famous bands he has worked with include: Simple Plan, Anvil, Cancer Bats, Protest the Hero, Swollen 
Members, Sid from Slipknot,  Murderdolls, King Conquer, and Redman.

Left: Steve Hoeg with Murderdolls                                    


     Hoeg demonstrates his dedication by filming the bands' performance, "I like to film at least two of the songs performed by each band so they have something to look at and post online after they perform. If the band's not happy, then I'm not happy." He makes it very clear that he's not in the music industry for the money; he's in it for the love of what he does.