We were mixing up in the balcony

[Vladv1]

"Yet he didn’t actually ask to hear the new Bon-less album. Not yet. ‘It wasn’t until we were loading the bell into the first gig, when Malcolm came and gave me the cassette. We were mixing up in the balcony and Malcolm comes up with Angus and says, “Here’s the record, Ian, what do you think?” We put it on and I’m going, “Yeah, pretty cute, yeah.” It was one of those things where it was kind of a transitional, kind of different to what you expected".
Mick Wall, "Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be".

I am confused. The author says that he got the cassette when he was loading the bell onto the stage (into the gig). AC DC had a bell on stage. But then he says he was mixing up in the balcony when he got he cassette. It is incomprehensible.

 

[jutfrank]

I guess he was at the mixing desk that was at the gig's venue.

Usually, the mixing desk is at the back of the room somewhere but it makes sense here that it's up on a balcony.

 

[emsr2d2]

Just because he said "It wasn't until we were loading the bell ...", you can't necessarily assume that "we" includes the speaker. They probably just meant the team of roadies.

 

[Vladv1]

Just because he said "It wasn't until we were loading the bell ...", you can't necessarily assume that "we" includes the speaker. They probably just meant the team of roadies.

So as some roadies were mixing, Ian was up in the balcony (on the balcony?) and was given the cassette?

 

[emsr2d2]

While some roadies were putting the bell on the stage, the author was up in the balcony on the mixing desk. Malcolm and Angus went up to the mixing desk and Malcolm gave the author the cassette.

 

[Vladv1]

While some roadies were putting the bell on the stage, the author was up in the balcony on the mixing desk. Malcolm and Angus went up to the mixing desk and Malcolm gave the author the cassette.

Is it correct to say "on the balcony"? Any difference?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes and yes.

By saying 'in' he's imagining the balcony as more of an enclosed space. If he used 'on' he'd be imagining the balcony as more of a platform.

 

[Vladv1]

Yes and yes.

By saying 'in' he's imagining the balcony as more of an enclosed space. If he used 'on' he'd be imagining the balcony as more of a platform.

Does "mixing" occur before concerts? Is it like a soundcheck?

 

[emsr2d2]

The mixing desk is responsible for making sure the sound is perfect throughout the entire concert. Before the gig starts, they take part in the soundcheck.