The magic when all the gear is set up

[Martin E]

You arrive at the venue and set up all your gear, sound-check done, everything is in it's place and you retire to the bar or whatever whilst the audience/guests arrive. The guitars on stands and drum kit are glinting in the lights, various LED's shine from the amps...

I only play in a function band but love this little bit of theatre. Even before a note has been played a stage full of instruments, amps,monitors etc in dimmed stage lighting has a wonderful magic about it don't you think?

[jaydentaku]

I tend to go for a pizza.

[gary mac]

Got to agree with you.

Doesn't feel quite the same at the end of the evening, looking at it and thinking "got get all this damned kit packed up, in to the vehicles and then unpacked at the other end and in to the house"

[Dr.Dave]

I like the pause between the gear being set up and going on stage. We all sit and have a pint and talk about anything except the gig - it's like it's a banned subject at that time. I think that's good because we can just be mates out for a pint together like the rest of the planet. We've all been around since dinosaurs walked the earth so it's second nature to 'swap heads' in an instant.

[Wil]

I hate every second until we get up on stage and start playing. Anxiety!

[crez5150]

I like spending 45 minutes at the end of each gig untangling mic cables......

[molan]

[quote name='crez5150' timestamp='1355157559' post='1894755']
I like spending 45 minutes at the end of each gig untangling mic cables......
[/quote]

I used to work with a friend who owned a soun an lights business an often used to help engineering.

I've had a dodgy back for years so never did any post gig heavy lifting and was always assigned to cable gathering and storage.

Somewhat perversely I still enjoy doing this!

I sometimes got to see a friend's band and often end up sorting all their cables for them, lol.

As far as the OP is concerned - I also really like that, everything on stage ready to go moment

[51m0n]

If it weren't for the inevitable end of evening madness trying to get everything away and safe before Johnny Tosspot and his mates start asking pissedly for a quick go I would agree wholeheartedly

[Doddy]

Depends where it is. If it's a nice venue with a good stage and set up or a nice scenic background
it can be really nice....otherwise,no.

[merlin]

I used this as rehearsal time

[bobpalt]

My favourite bit is when I wake up late the day after a good gig with a warm glow, but absolutely kn*ckered. As a treat for a job well done, I've got into the routine of going for Sunday lunch at the best Indian restaurant around (the Eurasia in Cheltenham) with the good lady as a sort of carrot to look forward to when the going was tough the day before...........

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='bobpalt' timestamp='1355159413' post='1894805']
... with the good lady as a sort of carrot to look forward to ...........
[/quote]

Maybe I got the emphasis wrong?

[Truckstop]

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1355158575' post='1894786']
If it weren't for the inevitable end of evening madness trying to get everything away and safe before Johnny Tosspot and his mates start asking pissedly for a quick go I would agree wholeheartedly
[/quote]

Oh, you know Johnny Tosspot too? He comes to loads of my gigs!

Back to OP though, yeah I get immense pleasure looking at everything all set up ready to be used. It really builds the tension in the room.

Truckstop

[arthurhenry]

I like this too, except when there's a four or five hour wait to go on stage.

[lazzer]

Yeah, I'm with the OP on this.......there's a sense of satisfaction & a little excitement in seeing things all laid out nicely with a little sexy lighting & some background music gently pulsing through the rig. I always try to take it in, before speaking to people, then heading backstage to chill for a while & get "in the zone"

[JTUK]

I like it if the stage nice and it means all the work is done..

That is the beauty of hired-in kit... all you have to do is sort your own stuff.
But sometimes the rider is a double egded sword with time on your hands

[risingson]

[quote name='Martin E' timestamp='1355156719' post='1894740']
...don't you think?
[/quote]

Definitely!

[bobpalt]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1355159543' post='1894808']
Maybe I got the emphasis wrong?


[/quote]

I've just realised I may have called my wife a carrot..........................

[rOB]

yep love that part of the evening. Nerves, bit of chat, maybe a cheeky pint. Seeing the audience come in. Great.

[mep]

I agree. I love the look of my Trace UV light and my mirror scratch plate reflecting the lights back.

[KingBollock]

The part I miss the most is when the stage lighting first goes on, the hiss of the smoke machine and the smell of coconut from it, and the beams from the lights start to show in the smoke. It's a Zen like moment for me.

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='Wil' timestamp='1355157457' post='1894753']
I hate every second until we get up on stage and start playing. Anxiety!
[/quote]

No anxiety but yes, I hate this time - complete waste - would rather get started right away and play longer sets.

[chrismuzz]

I agree with the OP, I think it looks incredibly cool and I'm always filled with anticipation whether it's my own band's gear, or a band I've gone to see.

I hate the waiting game though if it's anything more than an hour. I just want to get up there and enjoy playing!

[tonybassplayer]

I love that time when all the rushing about has been done and the stage is set. A quiet drink with a few friends and band members prior to making loads of noise is just perfect.