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Pitfalls to Avoid When Playing a Gig or Show
Directions
- Get the proper directions to the gig. If your unfamiliar with the venue
leave early enough to allow for finding the venue, equipment setup, and
sound checks.
- Try Mapquest for
directions to the gig.
- When playing festivals etc. make sure you have the proper entry passes
and clearances to enter the venue. Get this information ahead of time.
- Know where you can park. The venue may need to give you a parking pass
to get entry to park near the stage of the venue.
Equipment Setup
- Get to your venue early enough to setup your band equipment.
- Take into account travel time to the venue, unloading equipment, moving
your equipment, sound check, and setup time.
- Know whether you venue has a stage or if they will need to move tables
for your equipment setup.
- Get a time from the venue to show up and setup.
- Avoid having loose wires in your exposed stage area. Duct tape down or
cover wires to avoid tripping and cords being pulled out of amps etc.
Sound Check
- Make sure you have allotted enough time for a proper sound check.
- Avoid ear piercing treble, rumbling bass, and feedback.
- Remember, your band may be great, but if your PA Sound is sub par this
will hurt your show attendance. In order to get booked at the venue again
you'll want good sound from your PA and a reliable sound technitian.
- Get an experienced sound tech to run your PA.
More Tips
- Avoid taking very long breaks and intermissions. People tend to leave during long breaks
and you want to keep people in their seats.
- It's better to be known as the band who plays 2 or 3 hour sets than the
band who takes too many breaks.
- No In Fighting on Stage - Everyone makes mistakes at a show once in a
while. Talk to you band mates after the show if something is bothering you
about the gig.
- Promote your show - Get people to the show. The club owner will notice
when a show is promoted well and book your band again.
- Tune your instruments.
- Have a backup guitar in case you break a string.
- Backup Amp - While this may be tough if your in a startup band,
eventually may be a good idea to have a backup.
- Have Extra Cords, Duct Tape, Flash Light, Tuner, Picks, etc.
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