The Gig Check List
On Monday I participated in the Make Music Day in Portland, ME. I was assigned to the gazebo in Fort Allen Park overlooking the Eastern Promenade. The ocean was the bluest blue, and sailboats dotted the horizon. And there was wind. Not terrible wind, but enough to whistle through my mic and muss up any attempts I made to tame my hair. There was a power supply, and nothing else. The rest was on me if I wanted people to actually hear me.
Preparing for this gig felt different. It was my first post-pandemic gig (is it even fair to call it a post-pandemic when it’s still going?). There were a million things to remember and despite my list, I forgot things. So in the spirit of sharing and preparing and realizing that gigs are coming back faster than our brains might be, here’s the list I have come up with to help me next time I decide to gig outside:
Outdoor gig checklist:
Accessories you don’t think about:
Clips to keep your things from blowing away
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen in case you’re in the blazing sun
Watch the weather, and pack heavier weight to keep mic stands from blowing over
A battery operated gig light
Gig binder with music or ipad (fully charged!)
Phone camera stand in case you are streaming
A small table for merch, tips, mailing list
Clipboard with a pen for your mailing list
All CDs, cards, and other merch you have
A tip jar with clear instructions for venmo and Paypal, Ca$happ, or whatever
Your banner or signage that announces to passersby who you are and where to find you
A notebook and pen for whatever paper you might need
Your set list
Batteries (8 volt for guitar, double As, etc)
Charge all batteries the night before.
Charge all batteries the night before.
Charge all batteries the night before. (got that?)
Tuner
Capo
Equipment:
Your gear (keyboard, stand, guitar)
Pedals
Stool (if needed)
Music Stand(s)
Mic Stand(s)
Mixer and stand (if applicable)
PA / amp / DI / Speakers / Stands
Mics
Cables:
That’s right, cables are getting their own little space because a cable is always forgotten. Having an organizational system for your cables so you can grab and go, and making sure they’re labeled clearly so no one else accidentally picks yours up between set changes, is very important!
Power supply for your instrument
Power supply for your PA
XLR (mic) cable for mics, and for your PA/Mixer/Speaker hookups (add 1 extra, too)
Extension cord
1/4 inch cables (for your instrument, speakers, etc., and add an extra. You never know)
Hookups you might need for your cell phone if you’re playing songs on your set break (usually an 8th inch cable)
My first gig back was a big reminder that I need a better organizational system. I thought that by packing the night before I was covering my bases, but there was just too much disparate stuff to cover. For me it makes sense to put things in these three parts.
Inevitably, things like tuners, capos, pedals, cables, etc. get absconded with in practice sessions and don’t always get returned to their homes, and thus are easy to forget. Things like your tip jar and mailing list have one purpose and usually stay right where they are so they’re easy to grab.
I’ll be tucking a version of this list into my gig bag, and I’ll be getting a few different tubs to house more items to grab and go, like my merch.
Did I miss anything? It’s truly remarkable how many things you need to remember. Nevermind memorization and mastery of your songs, or even taking a moment to get in the right headspace to perform. Nevermind all of the social media plugging and tagging and photos you’ll do before and after the gig.
I’m constantly amazed by the sheer amount of work musicians do to bring music to the public. Writing this list out helps me remember that when I’m stressing out about the gig, I can acknowledge, YES, this is a lot. I choose it anyway.
The connection I felt singing into the ocean breeze to a small crowd of people on a beautiful summer solstice day was worth the schlep for me. The highlight was a mockingbird who came and sang with me during a very special song. It was a much bigger reminder about the power of connection, nature, and the little signs we can choose to acknowledge. When you’re too stressed out by logistics and gear, and technicalities, you sometimes miss the magical parts of what we do as musicians.
Like stage fright, I think some of the anxiety of remembering can be mitigated by tons of preparation. It can also be helped by a heaping dose of grace for yourself. You’ll forget. You’ll make mistakes. You’ll be human. And that’s exactly what people want right now. They want to see humans. They want to feel connected and experience something real.
I’m grateful, I’m humbled, and I learned a lot. Here’s the link to the Make Music Day website so you can get involved in the future!