Gear Every Gigging Band Should Own:

[hsech]

Hand sanitizer and artificial tears.

 

[kbr]

A generator.
Labels so the other band doesn't steal your stuff.
db meter to prove you aren't breaking noise ordinances.
A good attitude.

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

A drum key. Because you know the drummer won't have one.

 

[tmdazed]

I am surprised there hasn't been a thread like this yet. I'll go first:

1. Instruments (duh)
2. 100 + watt (depending on gig size) bass amp with multiple 8, 10, or 12 inch speakers
3. Some sort of guitar amp/other instrument amp with a kill switch (in case the guitard tries to do a "super awesome solo")
4. Lots of extra mics
5. Portable PA system (for smaller gigs and practice)
6. Graphic EQ
7. Monitors
8. EAR buds
9. Cables up the ***
10. Anything else?

bass amp is the bass players responsibility as is guitar amp for the 6 bangers

Mics again are a personal cost, I own 8 sm58s, I will bring them on shows , but we usually end up using the house mics if they are available

I bought and built my own PA , if we need something bigger , we split the cost of rental , same goes for lights and EQ and monitors

ear buds are also a personal cost , I don't use them , I sure as hell will not pay to have someone else use them

cables also a personal cost, you cant be mature enough to supply your own stuff , its up to you to scavenge , the show must go on

stringed instruments should supply their own backups and a couple sets of strings

the guys should bring tuners, but sharing those are ok

I bring a small tool set with me for on the spot repairs , I do most of the bands gear and instrument repairs so the impetus is on me to bring the tools

Electrical tape , billion uses and wont leave a sticky mess like duct tape

drummer has to supply his own sticks and tuning keys

 

[the explode man]

A drum key. Because you know the drummer won't have one.

This one can't be stressed enough!

 

[mellowinman]

Drummer should bring mics. I always mic the kick drum, and usually the toms as well. The snare is loud enough, and bleeding into everything, and the cymbals are bleeding into everything. I high hat mic is a good idea.

You should have enough PA power to play small to mid size venues. You should never be giving your pay to a sound man. Mix from the stage, and get good at it. Have a backup amp, and a backup mixing board. Have a good repair guy. And EQ is essential.

 

[lilcrate]

My first gig is at the end of this month. This is extremely helpful, although a little overwhelming lol.

 

[the explode man]

My first gig is at the end of this month. This is extremely helpful, although a little overwhelming lol.

A really easy way to figure out what you're going to need: at night with the lights off in your house, move stuff from your jam room to another room and play some music. What did you bring? Bring that stuff.

 

[Fair Warning]

Pepper spray.....to get you out of a bad situation so you can make a run for it....

 

[Biggbass]

the one piece of gear in my bag that gets used at every gig, and which I would replace immediately if lost, is:

 

[Slade N]

batteries
flashlight
dolly
patience

 

[JimmyM]

Cool shoes
Bong (if you are in Colorado or Washington)
Condoms
Sequined pants
Devo energy dome
Autographed picture of Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling

 

[Vic Winters]

At least 1 extra of every cable (instrument, mic, power, speaker, etc.)

 

[MrLenny1]

A roadie with a van and a good dolly.

 

[Kmonk]

I don't think "every" band should own everything listed by the OP. In my band, we own our instruments, amps, vocal mics (at our rehearsal space) and cables. The places we play are large enough that they have PA and everything else we need. We just bring our instruments and amps.

 

[Wadge]

With my band we have made the move to in ears - so we don't lug amps around any more. A big ass PA covers all venue types except for the large concert type gigs where third parties provide sound. We have two big amps, one for monitors and a second for the PA. The monitor Amp is big enough to power the PA also should the PA amp give in.

We have a backup mixer should the digital mixer decide to play up.

You can never have enough XLRs.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I am surprised there hasn't been a thread like this yet. I'll go first:
10. Anything else?

Spare tuning key for drums.

Spare power supply/supplies

Batteries

First aid kit for cut fingers two minutes before gig time.

Towels for when the singer pours their bottle of water over drum kit / amp / self / audience

Water for singer(s).

Something to put monitors/amps/on (crates or similar - or the crates the cables came into the venue in).

Feedback eliminator for vocals

One of those bung things for soundholes in acoustic guitars

A spare mic of the acoustic guitar in case the electronics fail / battery fails / replacing the battery leads to the battery holder falling on the floor under the feet of sax player.. crunch.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

The gaffer's tape for sure. My last gig, the drummer had a short boom stand that just gave out. Gorrilla tape to the rescue!

For those things (other than a bad hairdo and a broken marriage) that tape can't fix, some superglue for emergency repairs. Also nail varnish for screw threads that are working loose.

Also... fuses. I keep a stock in my gig box, although it does get raided for domestic purposes at times.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Spare strap. When I used a strap that had ends permanently attached and a little extension strap between the two (Much more secure than straplocks) it turned out there was a flaw in the plan when I broke a string so changed to a backup instrument but realised that this did not have the same sort of strap on and there was no other strap. So I completed the gig sitting on my amp. Vibraty!

 

[Broadstbully22]

I know this will depend on where you live but or band has to have a tent. We play outside allot. Weddings, patios, tailgate, etc. I like rugs also instead of buying tape and my last suggestion is a sign. Your band needs to market. You need a sign of some sort.