my first gig

[xcental34x]

I had my first gig last night. It was a benefit for the West Memphis 3. I was of course nervous. We were the only pop rock band, playing with a bunch of Nu Metal bands. I don't think anyone enjoyed the music, but I like it. I started setting up and I never realized bands had so much to do before playing. After 15 minutes of getting all my gear set up, and double checking it, we were ready to play. We went straight into our songs, and first line, our lead guitarist breaks a string, but we went on, and he came back during the second song. There were all sorts of assorted mistakes, one in particular in which our drummer just stopped playing in the middle of the bridhe of the fourth song, right before my bass solo. We started again, but I didn't get to do the solo. Bummer. For the most part I stood facing off to the side, or to the back, but for the fifth and final song, I moved around alittle. Towards the end, I ran and jumped off stage, with bass in hand, knocking down our friend, and unplugging my whole pedalboard in the process. I got back on stage, turned my amp off, and called it a gig. The feedback was we're were ok or good. I thought it was horrible, myself, but it was only our first show.

~Patrick

[Bigwig]

Originally Posted by xcental34x

Towards the end, I ran and jumped off stage, with bass in hand, knocking down our friend, and unplugging my whole pedalboard in the process. I got back on stage, turned my amp off, and called it a gig.

haha you need to purchase urself a wireless system

[Chad Michael]

I love to hear first gig stories.... everyone's story is a bit different.

They get better, and more enjoyable so keep it up!

[xcental34x]

I actually have wireless I keep on my pedalboard, but the bodyback is broke. I'm gonna get a new one very soon.

~Patrick

[discoboo]

jumping off the stage...nice. rock and f'in roll! thanks for supporting the WM3.

[teprodic]

Originally Posted by xcental34x

I was of course nervous. After 15 minutes of getting all my gear set up, and double checking it, we were ready to play. There were all sorts of assorted mistakes, one in particular in which our drummer just stopped playing in the middle of the bridhe of the fourth song, right before my bass solo. We started again, but I didn't get to do the solo. Bummer. For the most part I stood facing off to the side, or to the back, but for the fifth and final song, I moved around alittle.
~Patrick

HAHA the way i just replied to it, it sounds a lot like my first gig.

[leanne]

Congrats on your 1st gig.
Cool for supporting the WM3 too.
Hope your next ones are even better...

[LoJoe]

I always like those "1st Gig" stories. As bad as it might have seemed, it wasn't, and it only get's better. I compared my first gig to first sex in the following ways:

1. I had long anticipated this event, but when the moment finally came, I was way too nervous, and not sure what the first step was. I had to be told what to do every step of the way.

2. Although I had practiced many many times by myself in privacy, it did not even slightly compare to doing it with other people involved.

3. Even after practicing over and over, I still froze when the time came to make my first move and couldn't remember what came first. I was all thumbs for awhile.

4. Once I had what I thought was a good rhythym going, I was hoping the other people involved thought so too.

5. When I finally got settled down and started getting into it, I really started to enjoy myself.

6. I had wood the whole time.

7. It was over way too soon.

8. I can't stop talking about it to my buds.

9. I'm obsessed with it now and can't wait to do it again!

Keep thumpin!

[driver800]

a tip from http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/openmics.htm. It is specifically about performing at Open Mic venues, but i think it applies to nearly any performance situation. :

Understand this: Absolutely every person in the audience ... in ANY audience ... wants to see you do well. Really well. They are rooting for you from the moment you get on stage. Think about this for a minute, okay? Slow down ... give this some serious thought ... in fact, stop and dwell on this whole idea for a while, and recognize just how true it really is: The audience is not sitting there judging your talent. And, the audience is not sitting there waiting for the next big thing to strike America like a bolt from heaven, either. They don't care how "great" you are ... or how wonderful you think you are. They are very simply out to have a fun evening ... and when you get up on that stage, they are HOPING you will be wonderful! If they see you struggling at all ... with anything ... they are secretly praying for your success ... sending you their energy and their precious love ... why? Dig this: Because they are putting themselves in your shoes, man! They are being "you!" Isn't that what you do when you are watching and listening to an act? Meditate on this concept. It's a true concept ... and it's a healing one, too. When you get up in front of an audience, you start with them on your side. ...

[teprodic]

Originally Posted by LoJoe

I always like those "1st Gig" stories. As bad as it might have seemed, it wasn't, and it only get's better. I compared my first gig to first sex in the following ways:

1. I had long anticipated this event, but when the moment finally came, I was way too nervous, and not sure what the first step was. I had to be told what to do every step of the way.

2. Although I had practiced many many times by myself in privacy, it did not even slightly compare to doing it with other people involved.

3. Even after practicing over and over, I still froze when the time came to make my first move and couldn't remember what came first. I was all thumbs for awhile.

4. Once I had what I thought was a good rhythym going, I was hoping the other people involved thought so too.

5. When I finally got settled down and started getting into it, I really started to enjoy myself.

6. I had wood the whole time.

7. It was over way too soon.

8. I can't stop talking about it to my buds.

9. I'm obsessed with it now and can't wait to do it again!

Keep thumpin!

LMAO that was very hilarious and true. Sounds like my first time......

[P. Aaron]

Even veteran musicians have "1st gigs". 1st gigs with new personnel and 1st gigs with new bands. There's always a learning curve at a new venue.

Developing the trust of your bandmates onstage takes time too. You also have to learn to trust your instincts.