WAYNESWORLD Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 Get the most from every gig as the opportunities are shrinking to do what we all appear to enjoy so much. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diskwave Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 If doing a seasonal run, time it so you get out the car and walk straight on stage seconds before the band start...bit flash but prevents excessive drinking and boredom...haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 On 09/03/2022 at 11:39, sprocketflup said: Another tip, again age related, print/write your setlist in a typeface big enough to be read with out kneeling down and squinting between the songs And in black ink as red or blue disappears under certain stage lighting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 On 09/03/2022 at 19:33, skankdelvar said: If, like me, you get a bit spooked before gigs try to get there before everyone else and, if possible, while the room's still empty. Just walk around the room for a while and quietly think to yourself 'This is my room. I own it.' Then get on the stage and look out at the room and repeat to yourself: 'This is my room'. It might not work for everyone but it works for me. And don’t forget that you’re the most qualified and best bass player in the room, playing onstage at that moment in time. p.s Skank is absolutely bang on re. the hat thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Edwards69 Posted March 15, 2022 Share Posted March 15, 2022 (edited) Lately it’s wearing a back support belt when I’m setting up and packing up. First gig coming out of lockdown after months of working from home, not gigging and sedentary lifestyle majorly messed my back up for a few week after, more-so as it was one of those ones up a large flight of fire escape stairs and we were a couple of people down (inc soundman) which meant more gear humping. look after your health folks. Edited March 15, 2022 by Greg Edwards69 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Edwards69 Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 (edited) Thank the audience and venue, and ask people to visit your social media channels or website. It feels a bit tacky to do so, but many venues are booking bands based on their following. Plus a bit of free video footage is always nice. Carry business cards, and maybe get a popup banner made with links to your website. Set up a shared band calendar and make sure everyone uses it to mark their availability. It's a lot easier to respond to booking requests. Oh, and don't eat pie and chips, or a curry before the gig. Edited March 16, 2022 by Greg Edwards69 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 On 15/03/2022 at 16:11, uk_lefty said: Never. Never!! "Borrow" some disco lights on a whirly thing and think it would be cool to have the mains plug sat almost in an extension lead ready for you to press it down with your foot at the end of the intro to the first song and send coloured lights swirling round everywhere like a budget Jean Michelle Jarre show. It will most probably look cheesy, but it 100% will result in your instrument cable being drawn into the whirly mechanism and being yanked out of your bass, making you look like a bellend. Kicking the lights to death doesn't help get your cable back either or continue the song. I learned this lesson so you don't have to. And that's why you should go wireless. Which reminds me, another thing I've learnt is, er, go wireless. And headless basses are less likely to go through the ceiling/fluorescent light tube/singer's right ear (left if you're a leftie). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 On 09/03/2022 at 11:12, Cat Burrito said: and by the occasional round for the band. Out guitarist used to "by" rounds when we gigged. It used to drive us round the bend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 25 minutes ago, ubit said: Out guitarist used to "by" rounds when we gigged. It used to drive us round the bend. Like “It’s my round - Bye!”? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Help other band members with their gear. Make sure you're not always the first to the gig, otherwise you'll be forever helping other band members with their gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interpol52 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Aside from all the obvious things like making sure you have functioning gear and spares where they might be needed, I would say that the your bass will sound how the room wants it to sound. The settings I have when practicing at home or in the rehearsal space may not be what I end up using from one gig to the next. Some rooms are just awful for bass. Oh and learn the songs. Inside out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interpol52 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Also, people are singing along with the guitars and vocals, they are moving to the bass and drums! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbandit599 Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Set aside a few hours in a village hall with 'not great' acoustics and do a 'tech session' together. We did this when we got a Behringer digital mixer and it really helped us learn how to use all the functions. Makes sound checking in normal venues a breeze now. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassfinger Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) When the band learn a new song, make it very clear which version of it you're learning. Nothing worse than you learning the radio-edit single version, and your drummist learning the DJ Bongo acid house drug induced trance edit. Edited March 19, 2022 by Bassfinger 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 My late 80s early 90s experience. Make sure the venue has a security, well nowadays it's probably a licensing requirement. When you play at small festivals/events don't volunteer, if there's an option to play first. Don't wear spandex trousers. Don't transport your entire kit on a public transport , including the drum kit. Don't trust front house sound engineer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Never fall over and land on a pint glass, cut your hand open! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 If on stage in a touring musical show make your Gin and tonic in a sparkling water bottle. Then you look healthy and professional. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 When playing to an audience of Alcoholics Anonymous don't think they can't see you sipping from your bottle of beer secreted behind your amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 8 minutes ago, ubit said: When playing to an audience of Alcoholics Anonymous don't think they can't see you sipping from your bottle of beer secreted behind your amp. Cos they'll all be behind your amp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 24 minutes ago, Lord Sausage said: If on stage in a touring musical show make your Gin and tonic in a sparkling water bottle. Then you look healthy and professional. I'm legitamately using this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 If at all possible avoid 1am gigs, I’m pooped today following this mornings one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 1 hour ago, 40hz said: I'm legitamately using this. I legitimately used it a lot😅 I miss doing the theatre work. Had to give it up for family reasons. And since covid I don't even play in regular bands. Sad times really 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 If you leave an audience wishing they'd heard a bit more, you've nailed it. If you leave an audience wishing they'd heard a bit less, you've ballsed it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprocketflup Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Lord Sausage said: If on stage in a touring musical show make your Gin and tonic in a sparkling water bottle. Then you look healthy and professional. I did it the other way round, put my water in a Newqey Brown bottle to try and look more down wid it Edited March 19, 2022 by sprocketflup 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Other than back line and basses, I always pack the following: A torch A towel Mic stand drink holder Coloured leads (not black) Deodorant Stage clothes Pre/Post gig clothes (including comfy shoes) Sharpie A4 pad Batteries Fluorescent stickers amongst a few other things 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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