The easiest gig is one that is properly planned from the start.
Whether it is your first or hundredth gig, preparing for a live performance can be tricky with many variables involved.
This post will provide you with the information you need to prepare smoothly and efficiently for your next rock session.
Preparing As A Band
Context
Before you start doing any preparation, you need to know what you are performing for.
Context matters.
Will you be performing on a large stage for a massive crowd? Or in a small bar with an instimate setting? These considerations are important to determine the appropriate genre and intensity of the performance.
You can usually find these information in marketing distributed by the gig’s host. Most gigs are found through social media platforms, websites, and word of mouth.
Band Set-up
Firstly, your band must be configured suitably for the performance.
Here are the questions you need to ask yourself:
- What is the context of the performance? Large stage with massive audience? Small bar and intimate setting?
- What is the appropriate genre?
Once that is done, you can look into the configuration of the band:
- How many band members?
- How many of each instrument?
- Who is in charge of which instrument?
Different types of band setups require different equipment, stage layout, and decisions that pertain to sound.
Getting The Band Together
Now that you know what you need for the performance, it is time to reach out.
As a musician, it is very common to work with different groups of people for different gigs. You may have a group of friend whom you frequently jam with, and take up gigs once in a while.
You may also be part of a band that does recurring gigs at your local pub.
If your usual options have run out, there are different platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and Reddit to network with musicians.
On the contrary, if you are looking to join a band that already has a gig, those channels will still help you connect with like-minded people.
Practice
Practice should lie at the heart of your preparations. Going into a performance blind can potentially wreck the performance and leave a bad taste in your audiences’ mouths.
When you are practicing, there are two key focuses – individual self-practice and band rehearsals.
Individual Self-Practice
Individual band members must put in the time and effort to practice and polish their parts in the song, and this applies to all instruments.
Self-practice is a prerequisite to band rehearsals, and cannot be omitted as part of the rehearsal process.
If you have a performance due and band rehearsals around the corner, take time out of your schedule to listen to the songs, familiarise yourself with the chords and lyrics, and build some muscle memory.
When you then enter the rehearsal room, you are ready to jam with the rest of the band. The importance of self-practice cannot be understated.
Band Rehearsals
Once you have mastered your role, it is time for the band to master the songs together.
It takes a level of coordination and synchronization to achieve a good sound.
Many factors are involved, such as:
- Each member’s individual mastery
- Solid and consistent rhythm section
- Actively listening to one another
- Situational awareness to adapt when needed
Different bands may approach band rehearsals differently, but there are a few things that remain largely constant, such as having a band leader/music director, adjusting to one another’s playstyles, and looping segments of the song to refine the music.
Finding time to practice together can be tricky, as everyone’s schedule is filled with personal commitments. However, that shouldn’t stop the band from blocking out time for rehearsals.
Preparing With The Venue
Tech Rider
What is a Tech Rider?
A tech rider is a document detailing all the equipment, logistics, and coordination necessary to make your music come alive. This includes
- Your Equipment and Instruments
- Equipment you need from the venue (Known as backline)
- Channel List
- Stage Layout
- Additional Information
A sample tech rider will look like this:
Why do you need a Tech Rider?
A Tech Rider allows you to plan ahead with the crew so that they know what to expect for your band, where to place their equipment to align with yours, and what equipment they need to give to make the band work.
Additionally, it will prevent situations such as a lack of cables and input channels, etc. Inconveniences, whether big or small, can impact the time taken and disrupt any flow that was planned.
How to create a Tech Rider
You can achieve an efficient and smooth setup by effectively communicating with a quality tech rider.
Plenty of software such as Stage Plot Guru and Tecrider can help you create a professional-looking tech rider. Many musicians and band managers still rely on old reliable Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to get the job done.
Here is a quick breakdown of the content you need in a tech rider.
Your Band’s Equipment – Provide a list of equipment your band is bringing to the performance.
Backline – Equipment and patching that you require the venue/soundman to provide.
Channel List – A list of channel inputs for capturing sound from instruments and vocals.
Stage Layout – A diagram showing where each instrument is going to be placed.
For a detailed guide on making a Tech Rider, this blog post will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Coordination
Proper coordination and communication with the venue is absolutely crucial in ensuring the both the band and venue are updated on any details relating to the setup and performance.
There are many channels that the venue and band can exchange on, such as email, communication platforms such as WhatsApp, and phone calls.
Information you need
As the band, there are key information that you need to know from the venue, listed below:
Location – The address of the venue, and which part of the venue the performance will be held.
Performance Date & Time – If the gig is planned by the venue, you need to know when and what time.
Availability of the venue – If the gig is planned by your band, you need to check if they are available at your desired date and time.
Capacity/Audience Size: The number of people the venue can hold. This will help manage expectations and determine how much engagement to provide in your music.
Target Audience – Who you are performing for will determine your music and intensity.
Backline – Equipment the venue can provide. Seamless setup on the show day requires the alignment of equipment between both parties.
Stage size – The amount of space your band has during your performance, and will determine how to plot the stage layout to optimize for movement.
Sound and Lighting – Your set has to be adjusted depending on the venue’s capabilities.
Special Requirements – Anything that the venue requires for the performance, eg. Christmas Songs, Audience Engagement, etc.
Preparing For The Show
Soundcheck and Setup Slots
Soundcheck and setup vary depending on the gig.
If the gig involves more than one band and requires immediate transition between sets, each band will be assigned a slot to arrive for setup and soundcheck before the show.
If it is a smaller gig in a bar, bands will often arrive, setup, and soundcheck right before their allocated slot.
It is good to request for an optimal time so that all band members can be present for the soundcheck, as sound mixing needs to take in all of the sound in order to achieve a good balance.
Be sure to communicate with the venue on this, regardless of the size of the gig. You want to ensure that your band is sounding good before the first note is played for the audience.
Equipment
Take note of what each musician is carrying to the performance.
For example, it is very common for drummers to bring their personal snare drums and crash cymbals, and then request the full kit from the venue.
Keyboardists may also have 2 or even more keyboards at their disposal, therefore requiring more keyboard stands, cables, and channels on the soundboard.
Stage Layout
Stage layout refers to how musicians, instruments, and equipment are placed on stage. Planning is is done to optimize space, sound, and lights. This will:
- Allow the band to have space to move around freely
- Ensure that the sound is well-balanced and allows the soundman to operate the sound easily
- Provide a clear picture for the lighting technician to properly plot the lights for the performance.
There are many ways to configure the stage layout, which depends on:
- The amount of available space
- Where the power sources are placed
- The band’s setup
Nearing the date of the performance, it is good to think about how the band will be positioned on stage. Appearance matters to the audience, and adds to the overall energy of the performance.
Freedom to adjust the layout depends on the venue, as some venues have fixed equipment such as guitar amplifiers which hinders some movement. If the band implements movement, space should be taken into account.
Dress Code
Now the fun part – Should everyone wear matching outfits and an afro on stage? Or maybe just pants?
Jokes aside, the band should look presentable on stage and dress appropriately for the occasion. Audience members remember you not just by how you sound, but also how you look.
Some musicians make the effort to dress consistently between gigs when they want to brand themselves. Others will just arrive in a casual wear and focus on comfortability.
Remember, how you present yourself is how your audience perceives you.
Conclusion
‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’
-Benjamin Franklin
If you have made it to the end of this post, you have hopefully gained some insight on what you can do as a musician to increase your chance of success in your next gig.
The further you journey through the music industry, the easier and more efficient you will be in preparing for your next gig, and that will make you a better musician.