How early do you get to a gig?

[buldog5151bass]

I'm talking smaller clubs, where you have to set up your own PA (mains, 1 or 2 subs in some places).

I was in a band for about 5 years that had it down to a science. We'd get there an hour before a gig. The drummer would set up his kit while we moved everything in and set it up around him. About 15 minutes before gig time, we would do a quick sound check, and then grab some ice water for the gig on stage.

I've been playing with some other bands since then who insist on getting there at least two hours ahead of time. That seems to me earlier than necessary, and involves me doing more sitting around doing nothing, when I could be doing something important, like sitting home and going on TB.

So tell me, is that the norm, and I was just spoiled, or are they spending too much time setting up? Thanks.

 

[2saddleslab]

Just responsible for my rig. Depending on parking I usually show up 30-45 minutes before the gig.

 

[jeffb28451]

My rig: one hour. Check pedals, batteries, back up and intonation. Then to sound check.

Otherwise, 2 hours, so the drummer can set up.

 

[Double E]

45 minutes earlier than I am told to be there or two hours before showtime... whichever comes first. I have alot of patience for waiting around but little tolerance for stupid stuff that invariably comes up at the last minute when you assume you can get the whole band set up and sound-checked in some minuscule amount of time.

Time before showtime seems to go faster than usual. If I am ahead of the game, I can grab a bite to eat, sip a drink, network with the staff at the venue or just relax.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I guess I was spoiled.

 

[theduke1]

Minimum of two hours
I would much rather be able to sit and relax before down beat then have something fail 10 minuets before we are to start and then try to be on time
Duke

 

[tink9975]

we shoot for an hour, but its often less than that. we've gotten good at setting up quickly. I do my rig, and PA on my side of the stage, then usually have time to hit the bar for drinks for everyone.

 

[RustyAxe]

One hour. But the drummer often gets there a little earlier so he can set up without having to negotiate mic stands, floor monitors and miles of cabling. We're all old hats at this, everyone has their duties, and it just gets done with little fuss.

 

[marmadaddy]

If the band isn't involved in setting up the PA, it's a band I've played with before, and the drive is relatively short and predictable, 45 minutes to an hour. This is most gigs

Otherwise I like to be there 1.5 to 2 hours before downbeat.

 

[Wanker_Joe]

For me it depends. The place my band plays most frequently only opens for events, so the owner appreciates it when we get there slightly before opening for sound check. He treats us very well, so we are happy to oblige. A good venue owner is worth the extra effort in my opinion (he also loves our band, and treats us like his default opener for any bands coming through the area). Otherwise I try to be just early enough to load in my gear and have a beer in my hand by the time soundcheck is scheduled to start. Oddly, I can't remember any instances in the last like 20 years where soundcheck started on time. Might just be the places I play at.

 

[hrodbert696]

For a gig where I'm bringing and setting up PA, an hour and a half. I would make it two hours when the rig was new and I was figuring it out. I can get it set up in an hour, but the extra 30 minutes is good if you need to do any troubleshooting, and if you don't, I really would rather have some time to relax and get my head together than step straight from plugging in the last cord to hitting the first note.

For a gig where I'm just playing bass, no more than an hour. I can pretty much set up my personal stuff in 20 minutes, at most, but whoever's running sound probably wants to get a DI off my amp and check levels, and as above, I'd rather have a little time to unspool before hitting the downbeat.

 

[lfmn16]

My band gets to a gig 90 minutes before start time. We get to have a leisurely setup, a quick sound check then relax before the gig starts. And if anything goes wrong, we're not scrambling around like madmen trying to fix problems at the last second. I don't get these people that show up at the last possible second. Eventually something will go wrong and they'll be late, but people like that are always OK with someone else cleaning up their mess.

 

[Wesley R]

45 minutes earlier than I am told to be there or two hours before showtime... whichever comes first. I have alot of patience for waiting around but little tolerance for stupid stuff that invariably comes up at the last minute when you assume you can get the whole band set up and sound-checked in some minuscule amount of time.

Time before showtime seems to go faster than usual. If I am ahead of the game, I can grab a bite to eat, sip a drink, network with the staff at the venue or just relax.

Pretty much this. That is of course excluding when I was single and There might be a young lady that needed my company.

I did have a gig where set up was 2:00-4:30, and then we had to leave the building and be back by 8:00 when the male dancers would be done. We needed to women on the floor by 8:03.The male dancers stayed and it was a great gig.

 

[eldorado2001]

Using our own PA 2 hours. With house sound 1 hour.
As @lfmn16 said, it leaves plenty of time to troubleshoot any problems that might pop up.

 

[bolophonic]

My bands don’t typically play a lot of shows, so depending on the gig, I like to arrive in town a couple of hours early, park and schlep my gear and then maybe hit the peace pipe and go for a long walk and get a bite to eat before soundcheck/dealing with everyone else arriving last minute/etc.

 

[BlueShox]

If setting up PA and full-band 2 hours is the least I would be comfortable with. I'd rather sit at the bar for 30 minutes drinking a beer waiting for time to pass than have a club owner breathing down my neck because we're 5 minutes late for downbeat and not sound checked yet.

 

[Indexed]

Typically one hour. Two hours if I'm also setting up PA and mixer.

 

[Marc valero]

We do 2 hours, usually 1 hour setup and then chill or eat before gig. that way you are not rushed when the drums soundcheck runs long.

 

[sharkbait130]

I've been doing this a while and can be ready with my last few bands in about an hour. This includes P A and lights. That said , my current BL wants us there an hour and a half ahead of start time. I'm just starting with a new band and the BL wants us there two hours ahead of time. I hope he doesn't get too mad at me 'cause I'm probably not going to show up that early. An hour and a half is about my limit. I just can't see any reason to set up and have to sit around for over an hour. Heck , I'm set up in 15 or 20 minutes after i arrive. I always help out with P A and lights but even then we are usually ready in 45 to 50 minutes.

 

[lermgalieu]

Whenever load in time is. More than an hour and I get antsy, but really whatever the venue wants.