Going in for my first gig later this week.

[Dadum]

Make sure nothing blocks you from cues that you normally use. For instance if you are used to looking at the drummer and the drummer is moved out of your line of sight, you will feel different. Make sure you can quickly describe to them what monitor mix you like. If the gig doesn’t change any basics, it will be the same as performing at the rehearsal. No problem. You’ll do great.

Maybe bring a hat or sunglasses in case the lighting is crazy; Ear plugs if they put you next to a stack of speakers; A hand towel to wipe sweat away; a bottle of water as usual.

 

[Dust2Dust]

You got this, bro

 

[Bighouse]

Sounds exciting. Never confuse excitement for anxiety or fear! Can't wait to hear about how well it went!

 

[Chop11777]

The audience will have no idea if you make a mistake so don't worry
Play your butt off
Mingle afterwards and
Most of all
Enjoy !!!

 

[Engle]

The environment will be different than you think it will be - that's the thing that is most likely to throw you. Ridiculous amounts (or what seems like ridiculous amounts) of preparation are what you need to succeed in this kind of thing - if you know your stuff cold, you can have fun with the fact that things are different. If you go in unprepared, that stuff with throw you, and you'll have a tough time.

One saying that covers this: Amateurs practice until they get it right. Pros practice until they can't get it wrong.

And yes, you'll make mistakes. I've played many hundreds of gigs at this point. The number of perfect gigs at this point is, so far, still zero. Over time, you don't make fewer mistakes, you make smaller mistakes - ones that the audience is less likely to notice.

^Well said! I was listening to the recording from my gig last Saturday and clams happened! I came in a semi tone high at one point, but I slid down and made it sound like I intended to play a leading tone.

And your point about the sonic environment is spot on. You need to get used to creating bass waves in different spaces. Cause they can really vary.

 

[stomp944]

Amateurs practice until they get it right. Pros practice until they can't get it wrong.

This is good. You guys are the best. Tomorrow night (on lead guitar) is my band's second gig and was about to post a similar thread (mostly dreading dumb mistakes where I've played it perfectly a hundred times before). Looks like ya'll covered it. Good stuff - thanks!

 

[mysterial]

For those asking for details, I would prefer not to give details related to the location for anonymity, but a couple of questions rose from the multiple pages of this thread.

1. Yes, I'm bringing backups for my equipment, I'm experienced enough to know that at least.

2. Sound equipment (amps, etc) is being provided by the place (thank goodness) unlike a couple of other places I've seen.

3. No, there's no paycheck and I'm completely fine with it. It really doesn't cost me anything to perform with my buddies and some experience is always great. (and some recognition)

 

[mysterial]

Make sure your Donner bass is properly set-up and show up on time.

Not gonna be using that one. A Jackson will be accommodating me for the gig.

 

[Bighouse]

Is there a set list you can share with us?

 

[SLO Surfer]

1. Yes, I'm bringing backups for my equipment, I'm experienced enough to know that at least.

2. Sound equipment (amps, etc) is being provided by the place (thank goodness) unlike a couple of other places I've seen.

Are you bringing backup for the venue’s bass amp? I’ve ran into house bass amps that are top notch, as well as some that are overly abused and barely functional, if working at all. I’d still bring a bass amp and leave it in the car incase the house bass amp is insufficient by any means.

 

[mysterial]

Are you bringing backup for the venue’s bass amp? I’ve ran into house bass amps that are top notch, as well as some that are overly abused and barely functional, if working at all. I’d still bring a bass amp and leave it in the car incase the house bass amp is insufficient by any means.

Didn't even consider that, thank you!

 

[mysterial]

The gig is over! It went horribly.

 

[TomB]

When you’ve had a chance to gather your thoughts, feel free to tell us more. We may not be able to help, but we can listen, and likely reassure .

 

[Bighouse]

EVERY opportunity in life should be seen as part of a process. "Failure" is always an option and ALWAYS a way of reinforcing better understanding of a situation, to repostulate, or train more, or to improve by identifying what went wrong so that it doesn't (eventually) happen again.
I can't begin to relate to what it must have been like to play at a gig- but I know many here can relate to and will likely have been in your situation at some point in their gig-playing development.
So, I highly recommend you use it as a learning experience. Let it tell you what to do differently next time- be it for yourself, or your bandmates.

 

[Wherestheone]

We've ALL been there.
It's part of the journey.

 

[getBAK]

The gig is over! It went horribly.

I'd like to know more.
For the record, I've been doing live performances since the early 1990's and am often much less satisfied with the result than the audience.

 

[Bighouse]

I’m hoping the OP can share more about why he feels it went poorly. And I hope it hasn’t discouraged him from enjoying playing.

 

[misterCRUSH]

Believe me, as a person with schizophrenia, I know that things can go bad. Over the last few months, I have gotten better and better at battling through, getting back up, and trying again. I hope that the OP can do this and get back up on the stage and try again soon. I would like to know more about what happened. This is a great place to get encouragement and advice.