New Gig

Youngbrett · #1 10-30-2011, 03:48 PM

My power trio band finaly got a gig at a local food place, were gunna play a mixture of covers originals and improv jams. Any tips?

Youngbrett · #2 10-30-2011, 03:50 PM

Were all 15 years old

salcott · #3 10-30-2011, 03:53 PM

Don't make the owner tell you to turn down.

J. Crawford · #4 10-30-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

Don't make the owner tell you to turn down.

Yes!

1. Know your tunes.
2. Be on time.
3. Start on time.

Factor88 · #5 10-31-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

Don't make the owner tell you to turn down.

+1

The number one mistake I see young or inexpereinced bands make when playing in a place that makes most of their money selling food, is being too loud.

bassgod0dmw · #6 10-31-2011, 08:33 AM

Have any of you done any gigs yet?

No matter what, don't forget to have fun! Seriously. People sometimes forget that one...

bassbully · #7 10-31-2011, 09:24 AM

Don't expect a big responce to your songs and don't let it effect you. Most places like this the people are there to eat and meet not to listen to music. You are the background music for the night so keep the volume down.

drummer5359 · #8 10-31-2011, 10:40 AM

Congrats on the gig!

1. Have fun.

2. Concentrate on being tight, don't worry about being flashy.

3. Keep the volume down as everyone here has pointed out.

4. You will likely have a good turnout with family and friends since this is your first gig. Promote it on your social media sites and through phone calls etc. Get as mant PAYING customersas you can to the event to buy food. That is why you are there in the eyes of the management. A good turnout with paying customers is the key to being asked back. That will impress the owner/manager of the establishment more than anything.

5. Keep the volume down. lol (We can't remind you of this enough.)

6. Be on time and make sure everyone is acting professional. I started playing in bands in clubs at the age of 16. (Which would be dificult to do these days.) The reason I got away with it was that I played with older musicians and I acted professional.

HolmeBass · #9 10-31-2011, 10:49 AM

Yeah, um, maybe you guys should turn up and rip it a new one?? LOL

Then again maybe not. But importantly don't get too stressed out about mistakes and stuff that doesn't go exactly as planned. Certainly don't stop and don't telegraph to the audience that a mistake happened. You'd be surprised at what most people will miss! Don't get mad about mistakes either, no use in that, and you'll kill the mood on the gig. Just remember the mistakes and work on them at your next rehearsal. Have as much fun as possible!

Muttleybass · #10 10-31-2011, 02:01 PM

Easy on the improv jams. The only people entertained by improv jams are the band.

Youngbrett · #11 11-04-2011, 01:50 PM

Thanks everyone!!!

stepswork4me · #12 11-04-2011, 02:01 PM

Don't try to be rock stars.... Watch your language and keep your humor clean.

Dick Tree · #13 11-04-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muttleybass

Easy on the improv jams. The only people entertained by improv jams are the band.

Disagree, do some improv and keep it basic and groovy. I'm in a trio who does a lot of improv and people LOVE it!

Gadgetjunky · #14 11-04-2011, 03:06 PM

Tune, use a tuner to get everyone in tune. makes a big difference.

Everyone else has pounded the volume thing, hopefully you will follow the advice you've asked for.

And enjoy, this is the first night of the rest of your life.

sad_katz · #15 11-05-2011, 03:06 AM

Don't forget to MUTE your signal when you need to tune your instruments on stage.

lowfreq33 · #16 11-05-2011, 03:29 AM

Make sure you set something on fire, and break at least one window on your way out.

sad_katz · #17 11-05-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Make sure you set something on fire, and break at least one window on your way out.

And drop firecrackers down the toilet

NightTripper · #18 11-05-2011, 08:42 AM

Don't listen to these people about the volume, CRANK IT UP so the customers feel it in their loins! And when the manager tells you to turn it down, just beat him with your bass. You'll get some rebellious-rocker cred for it.

addylewis · #19 11-05-2011, 09:15 AM

I think everythings been covered really:

1) Don't forget to advertise it
2) Get as many mates down for coffee or whatever as you can
3) Don't forget the gear, double check you've all got everything - Tuners (all calibrated the same), 1 or 2 extra jack leads and a pick for you as well (it hurts when you've got chunks of skin hanging off your fingers or your blisters pop and you've still got an hour to go...)
4) Even if you mess up, KEEP GOING AND DONT SAY ANYTHING! Thats one of the classic beginner mistakes, stopping mid song coz of an otherwise unnoticable mistake. If need be tell them all that whoever screwed up CAN stop for a BAR or 2 max so they can get the timing right when they come back in whilst the band keeps going (its kinda tricky if its the drummer though...)
5) Bring spare strings and spare guitar/bass (coz breaking a string CAN be a pain, and having a spare guitar tuned up can be a mid-song life-saver if something goes wrong - even if its a beaten-up 2nd hand 30 quid encore strat replacing a Les Paul...)
6) D.I. Box just in case...
7) Enjoy it! If it doesn't generally sound as good as it did in practice don't worry and freak out about it, until you're a seasoned band it probably WON'T sound as good coz of nerves...

Thats about it, the volume thing has been mentioned and I suggest if you can - record it for posterity (Well, I know I'M glad to have some video footage of my first ever gig when I was 16...if need be don't tell the rest of the band about it if you think it'll make them screw up)

Russell L · #20 11-05-2011, 02:28 PM

If it's ok to talk to the crowd, do so. Get IN with them. That can be especially helpful if you're about to play a request you don't know very well, or anything you don't know very well. They'll be with you and laugh with you when you screw it up. Yes, even screwing up can be fun.