9 Key Quotes from a Long Gigging to-do List

Here underneath are some key quotes I pulled out of a pretty long list of Gigging recommendations today

"All band mates know their responsibilities"

Talking about onstage responsibilities, this is especially important when you consider which band member starts a song. Many times it will be a count in from your drummer. The last thing you want though are long pregnant pauses as you wait around for all band members to be ready before you start the next song... Also, who's responsible for saying what to audience in between numbers - and when?

“Networking – go to shows of other bands and meet them, create critical allies, rub elbows

Good for checking out the competition and so quality level you’ll need to hit in order to succeed at the venue concerned. It also gives you the chance to check out this factor:

“Venue specifications, space, sound”

Which is one of the other points on this list. Knowing details like these will help you prepare for your own gig at any venue.

It's also handy to know other local bands in case you ever need to cancel a gig and offer venue a replacement band to maintain your relationship with the venue. More importantly, other bands may also do the same for you when you've networked. There can also be benefits to spending time with and around other bands if you need to recruit/poach new band members…

This also links well with another recommendation on the list:

“Gig trading with other bands of similar style – one band opens the show, the other closes”

Here's another quote worth keeping in mind - about when you're trying to book the gig:

“Attitude should be “how we can help each other”

This is different from feeling that the venue is doing you a big favour by letting you play there. Tell yourself that both you and the venue stand to gain from your appearance there. (You'll be taking along some friends/fans who may not have been to/spent money at that venue before right? Reminding yourself of the mutual benefit as you approach venues to try and get your band gigs will help you avoid feeling awkward or stressed about your approach.

You know it’s up to you to promote your gig, right?

Actually booking the gig is only the first stage of a successful gig-getter's work. You don’t want to risk an empty venue on gig night and guarantee you won't get asked back do you?

Make sure the audience knows the name of your band

So many bands waste this opportunity of encouraging approaches from would-be gig bookers by getting their name in front of the audience while they're playing

Something will probably go wrong, think through typical disasters and try to be prepared

Prepare some “fills” and banter in case of broken guitar strings/other technical issues

Have a great time because you are doing what you love to do!

At the end of it all if you’re not enjoying playing live why are you doing it? Oh, and most importantly, if you show the audience you’re having a great time you'll enhance your own stage presence and encourage the crowd to let themselves go more too