How early do you get to a gig?

[steelbed45]

The band I'm currently in - well, for one more day until I can pick up my gear tomorrow - the bl thought we were a national tour act or something. The last two gigs were both over an hour away for me, and for some reason, he insisted we be there 4-5 hours early for sound check. He wanted the sound check completed before the crowd started coming in. It worked out great for him and the drummer. They just started chugging beer. That the bl forgot the lyrics to his own songs did not surprise me in the least.

Life is short - Next!

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Most places, 90 minutes. We can get it all done in 45 minutes, the rest is for dealing with the unexpected. And there’s always something, even if is unexpectedly having nothing to do!

 

[HolmeBass]

Just my rig: an hour. And I can do it faster, but parking, people in the venue, and access to the stage around my mates can create inefficiencies that mean it takes longer than it should. In an empty room with unfettered access and nearby parking I can do it in 30 minutes, but none of my gigs end up like that.

For setting up our PA we take 1.5 hrs but honestly I’d rather give ourselves the space to take 2 hrs.

 

[BaltBass5]

My band has it down to a science. We try to avoid gigs where we provide PA and lighting but if we take them it’s about an hour and we’re ready to rock.

Things like the Mackie mixer utilizing iPad make these things a breeze!

 

[Charlzm]

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.

Yeah, an hour sounds right.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

I find that drummers take as much time as anybody setting up as they have more moving parts. For me, I’m good to go in less than four minutes, so I lend a had hauling gear or running pa cables.

The best band I’ve worked with was about a 30 minute set up for a 5 piece band. Tear down took about 30 minutes as well. Even our female lead singer busted her butt schlepping gear. I mean, like PA cabs mixing boards..and she could sing too.

The bands that I work with now, 8 to eleven pieces, take about 45 minutes to an hour.

 

[glocke1]

All of our gigs have a sound guy.

I hate wasting time, so no matter what the B/L says I'll usually show up no earlier than 60-90 minutes before the scheduled start time.

I've been to a couple this year where I was told to show up 3 hours before we hit the stage, I was pretty irritated at the fact I had to waste that much time.

 

[twinjet]

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.

I show up an hour. BL sets up the system and asks everyone to stay out of the way until sound check. Works flawlessly.

 

[Mike N]

and the drive is relatively short and predictable.......

No drive is predictable in this town.

On a daily basis, there's more stupid people on 390, 490, 590 and 104 than I could ever imagine.

 

[gitfiddl]

In the last three serious bands I was in, I played keys and ran sound. Typically, I'd get there 2 hours before show time if it was a place we'd played before. Add 30 minutes to that if it was our first gig at a place. Drummer usually arrived at the same time, bassist and guitarist(s) about an hour before. Soundcheck 20 minutes before downbeat.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I can get PA and bass rig set up and checked out in an hour or less.
Most times I want to have a little extra.
I remember one gig where I got there and hour and a half early.
I had told the guys be there an hour before start time.
When I parked the drummer was pacing back and forth in front of the place.
He didn't smoke or drink and was bored, since he'd been done setting up for an hour.
Unloaded, set up, did sound check, had a beer and waited.
5 minutes until show time and in walks the guitard, amp in one hand, guitar in the other.
He plugs in, spends perhaps 15 seconds tuning and the first thing he says to us was 'hey,
are y'all gonna play or stand around?'

Fun times.

 

[arbiterusa]

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.

This is every one of my gigs save one with a house PA. One hour early if we’ve played there before, an hour and a half if we haven’t. Two hours seems extreme. REALLY extreme.

 

[GManfromOz]

This might sound harsh but I try to time my arrival with the completion of the main setup by our “roadie/sound guy”. The guy gets paid four times as much as any other band member and is a complete nightmare but is, sadly, a friend of the BL.

He can never get through a setup without knocking over a rack of guitars or a very expensive mic; sound check usually involves a long series of high pitched squeals that drives the waiting punters from the club and deafens us on stage; there’s always someone’s fold back that doesn’t work (his gear); he plays the originals of our set list through the PA during our breaks; he chimes in on keys uninvited during our set because he wants to add something and be in. The band (yes, really). He’s also a complete nonce; I was absolutely gob smacked that he was married with kids, I couldn’t believe that a real human woman would lie down with such an example. That he has replicated gives me no hope for the future of humanity.

Yes, I do help at pack down time and stay until the final cable has been packed.

 

[Bassngtr]

I play drums in some bands and I always try to be the 1st one there (~90 mins before gig, minimum, esp if it's a new-to-me venue) so I can set my footprint. Footprint is more than floor space - have to consider distance from the walls, and cymbal/cymbal-stand-leg overhang. Takes 20-30 mins to set up my drums, then I tweak while the others set up.

For bass gigs usually 90 minutes before unless I bring my PA...then it's 2 hrs. I like to relax for ~30 mins before playing if possible. The load in and setup are by far the most strenuous part of every gig for me.

 

[xnewyorka]

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.

That would have been a big problem for me. My last band was a Ska band, so we didn't even have any downbeats.

 

[bigswifty1]

I aim for one hour plus so I'm waiting when the truck arrives. The truck is often a little late and we have a slight rush but we are rarely late. We travel light.

I have it very easy (I think), only have to do:

. Two PA Stands
. Two powered speakers on the stands
. Four mic stands
. Mic cabling x 4
. My rig

I don't have to do:
. Power cabling
. Lights and cabling
. Desk
. Monitor cabling
. Anyone else's rig

 

[bassliner50]

1 to 1 1/2 hours before the downbeat. Schlepp in, set up amp, stands, PA, hobnob with the public, pee, then first set.

 

[juancaminos]

I'm the PA & lights Guy plus the Bass player. New gig 90 - 120 minutes. Repeat 60 - 90 minutes.
I am between bands right now and lust for the job of just showing up to plop down my Eden amp and play. However since I do work nights I don't see another band putting up with my schedule. So I'll probably start something as BL very soon. Just moved all equipment into a larger room where I can have a rehearsal space set up full time. Now I need musicians...oh boy

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

I always go early. At least an hour. If theres other bands playing with us, I usually get there within the first set. Or sooner if were early on the line up.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Do you mean AFTER you find a parking place? LOL
60 minutes more than enough time. Load-in, restroom/WC, let bass breathe, double check tuning after bass settles...
2 hours? Nervous Nellies...unless it is a great paying gig (production/promotion company) to get FOH sound down.

Current band; 60 minutes ahead, whether first or headliner, first up has all the time in the world to set-up etc.2nd or 3rd...better have it ALL down...like 15 minutes from setting bass drum to first beat/notes, head lining...more latitude but it only takes about 20 minutes (extra 5 is mainly soundcheck...deep breath...count in or salutations then hit it. It's not slow business, it's show business.
One note: If you're "on time" you're late.
Good luck!