How early do you get to a gig?

[brianrost]

I arrive 30 minutes before unless one of the following is true:

1. I have to set up the PA, then it's an hour before.

2. The venue specifies a sound check time that requires an earlier arrival. This includes gigs like weddings where no setup is allowed once the guests begin arriving.

3. The hiring BL requires an earlier arrival.

 

[pwhalen]

If it's a full PA setup (which I bring and setup), I like to be there 2.5 hours ahead of time. Ideally we would soundcheck an hour before downbeat, so that gives me 30 minutes to load in, get empty cases back to the car if needed, and an hour so setup and check levels before soundcheck. The other guys just need to get there in time to set up their gear up in time for soundcheck.

If I'm not responsible for sound and just need to have my bass ready for start time, then 30 minutes is plenty early

 

[Dave W]

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.

We are exactly the same way. We get there anywhere from 30-60 minutes before the 1st note. Singer/guitarist sets up the PA and I set up all the lights. We're always ready to go with time to spare.
Tear down is the same thing. We're done in 30 minutes flat. We get compliments all of the time about being so quick and on time, every time.

I see no reason to spend any more time than that.

There are other very popular bands in the area that take like 2 hours to tear down at the end of the gig.

 

[BassAndReeds]

Both my bands do about 1.5 hour before the downbeat. One has self contained lights. The other just a PA. Setup usually takes a little less than an hour. But add talking time and quick sound check in the extra 30 mins.

 

[BluesWalker]

Since I never set up the PA, I am there no earlier than 1 hour before the start.

 

[redwingxix]

1.5 to two hours. Most of the time we set up our own pa and lights. BL often gets there well before that. If I'm there that early I will be inebriated by the time we start. I don't handle idle time well.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

omg if I had to bring the PA I wouldn't even take the gig these days. It'd have to be a lot of money for me to haul out the PA.
If I am just playing bass, then I show up 30 - 60 min before downbeat.
If I have to bring drums (often times I do), then 60 min before downbeat at least.
If I have to setup merchandise, then 1.5 - 2 hrs before

 

[packhowitzer]

90 minutes prior to downbeat.

 

[Lava]

It changes all the time depending on the venue, but if it's a regular club gig I'm usually there an hour and a half early unless it is backlined, then closer to an hour before pre-predetermined load in/sound check time.

 

[klokker]

We have some guys in our band who get to a gig really early. Like 4 hours early. I don't know what the deal is, but they like setting things up etc. I guess. Lights, PA, all the bells and whistles. They like to hang around the venue and socialize etc. They also hate being in a rush etc.

As for me, I need to be ready to go an hour before the show starts for a sound check. So that usually means about an hour and half before the show. I usually don't have time to get there any earlier and the early birds are OK with that.

 

[DirtDog]

One hour. 45 minutes to set up PA and my gear, 15 minutes to find the singer and sound check. Or if can't find the singer, go for a quick pint and a leak instead.

 

[TheDominoKid]

At least an hour before... I don't mind waiting around, but I loathe getting to a venue and just jumping on stage. I like to settle into the venue.

 

[Dave W]

I forgot to add, most of the venues we play don't even have room for a band to set up until an hour before. There are a few that have customers stay as long as they like and we can't start loading in until after our actual start time. 2 hours to set up would never fly, the gig would be over with by then.

 

[StyleOverShow]

30-45 minutes is my target. PA is not my responsibility so, just one load in, set up amp, tune up, sound check, whiz, water, see Herb in parking lot and I’m ready.

Hate waiting around.

 

[Element Zero]

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.

Yup.

 

[InhumanResource]

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.

We do 2 hours early. This allows for a long and unprofessional sound check.

 

[Flashback Bass]

You guys must be playing nice places!

All the places we play require the moving of tables! The management doesn't want to give up the revenue on these tables until they have to. So although we get there a hour before showtime, we usually get about 35 to 45 minutes to set up! We somehow manage to pull that off with a PA, 2-guitars, bass, drums, and small lights.

 

[Jimmy4string]

1.5 hours -2 hours.
It sure is nice when you do not have that cold feeling of uncertainly and you can just concentrate on the gig!

 

[JRA]

sometimes i just play = 1 hour.

sometimes i only do sound (banquet rooms and large halls) = 2+ hours.

occasionally i do both = 2+ hours.

I guess I was spoiled.

well, you had it down to a science!

playing different venues all of the time (surprises!) may require more time than playing the same venues over and over (habits).

 

[Wasnex]

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.

Depends. On tours where I am involved with loading and setting up the PA, I am used to arriving about three hours before show time. Arrive, unload the truck, setup, sound check, go eat, change, gig.

For a local gig where I just set up my rig and play bass, it depends upon the time of day, length of the gig, where the gig is at, and what the bandleader wants. I do like 15-30 minutes of flex time to handle surprises, wash my hands, and chill a bit. Any more free time, and I start to go a bit stir crazy.

Allowing only 1 hour for setup and sound check doesn't leave much time to correct problems. IMHO, a professional band will probably chose to build in a little extra time, rather than risk their reputation. The implication is you will typically have more free time than you want, unless something goes wrong. If you do this sort of work on a regular basis, you tend to plan for the free time...for example, bring a book or get a phone that allows you to get on TalkBass.