I usually play 150+ gigs a year in different styles, in different settings, sometimes playing ‘dep’ gigs, where you might not know what you’ll be doing until the last minute, it is easy to forget stuff at home (I have done so twice last week…).
I have created this check-list to make sure this does not happen again, and I decided to share it with you. As you go through the list, get the stuff you need and put it in a big pile by the door.
So, What do you need to bring to tonight’s gig…?
GEAR:
What GUITARS will you play Electric, Acoustic, Hollow Body? Will you need more than one guitar? Go through the set-list in you head.
Do you need PEDALS/PEDAL-BOARD?
Do you have enough GUITAR PICKS?
Do you have all the CABLES you need, plus spares?
Do you have a bag with REPLACEMENT STRINGS, GUITAR CABLES, ACCESSORIES (BATTERIES, CLEANING STUFF, SLIDES…), AND MAINS POWER EXTENSIONS/MULTIPLE PLUGS?
Did you pack a TUNER?
AMPLIFIER(S), or Head+Cab, Plus all Cables?
Will you SING at tonight’s gig? MICROPHONES+MIC STAND +XLR CABLES+LYRICS!
Will you need to MIC UP YOUR AMP/ACOUSTIC GUITAR? (EXTRA MIC+MIC STAND+XLR CABLES)
Will you need EARPLUGS? More than one set?
Will I need a MONITOR or any part of a P.A.?
MUSIC:
Do you have a PRINTED SET-LIST with all the TUNES IN THE RIGHT KEYS?
Do you need to read music/Lyrics? (MUSIC STAND WITH LIGHT, CHARTS)
Did you take the music (CHARTS/ AUDIO TRACKS) with you?
OTHER:
Do you have clear DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE, address+contact number, and a CONTACT NUMBER for some of the band members?
Do you have COINS TO PAY FOR PARKING?
Is FOOD provided, or do you need to bring it with you? (you’ll be surprised how sometimes you might be playing in the middle of nowhere…)
Do you have the right clothing? Do yo need to bring formal CLOTHES+SHOES!!
Do you need any paperwork/Documents (INVOICE/CONTRACT/INSURANCE/EMAIL PRINTOUT)?
You can download this in a printable poster to print out, as it might be a good idea to hang it up in the room where you keep all the equipment.
>DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE CHECK-LIST<
I hope this helped! Feel free to add more in the comment section below if you feel I have missed something.
