Important gig tonight.

[Carl Hillman]

A few months ago our guitarist proposed putting on a free outdoor show at his house for our family and friends and anybody else who wanted to show up. He's convinced that whatever impression we make on this crowd will make or break our band. ...if we blow it, we'll pretty much be finished, as word will get around that we're a bunch of hacks.

Did somebody remember to bribe the cops so they don't shut you down mid-song?

(That's a joke...sort of.)

 

[Rebel Rocker]

Best of luck! Just have fun and do what you've worked hard for.

 

[Dust2Dust]

You Got This, Bro

 

[Jim Kernan]

Saw this late, hope it went well. Looking forward to your report.

 

[40Hz]

No worries. You got this.

Now go knock em dead.

 

[Egg250]

I'm in a three piece rock/pop cover band that just started from scratch about a year ago.

We took a long time to get prepared to play shows because we're all perfectionists and want to make the best impression possible and present ourselves as professionals. This year we've played a half dozen gigs in local bars and have been well received and we think we're ready to start playing 2 - 3 shows a month, preferably in more respectable (and better paying) venues than local dive bars.

A few months ago our guitarist proposed putting on a free outdoor show at his house for our family and friends and anybody else who wanted to show up. He described it as being like a glorified practice/rehearsal, which would give us the benefit of focusing our efforts toward performing, not just going through a setlist isolated in our practice place. We all agreed to do it.

Over the past two months, this small, informal show has exploded into an important showcase for our band, with at least five different venue owners expected to be in attendance for the purpose of evaluating us for playing gigs at their establishments.

The gig is tonight.

Apparently, our guitarist is well connected, not only in the area music community, but also in the local business and civic community. He's convinced that whatever impression we make on this crowd will make or break our band. He says that if these venue owners like us, we can expect to parlay that into regular gigs in more upscale establishments. But if we blow it, we'll pretty much be finished, as word will get around that we're a bunch of hacks.

So, I'm as ready as I can reasonably be and will be leaving for the show in about two hours, with curtains up scheduled for 7pm, and I'm starting to get nervous like I haven't been in decades of playing live gigs.

The weather is going to be almost perfect. Clear skies with temps around 70⁰F and low humidity - a perfect, early Autumn evening. A nearly full moon will rise about the time we're finishing up our first set.

I'll post back here after the show and let you know how it went. I'll be recording video of the show with a Zoom Q3, so if all goes well, I'll have something concrete to share.

So, please wish us good luck tonight.


Later!

You guys are probably playing your hearts out right now. According to my relative inexperience, there is not a "make or break" show. Sure, if you guys rock it, it may be easier to book shows with any venue owner in attendance. If you don't rock it, what will matter is how you handle "issues". Trainwrecks are ruinous for sure, but how would you get through a bad intro, verse or chorus? Did you go off the tracks or did you find the correct position and finish strong? Live music can be chaos and there are almost always issues. I had a drummer misunderstand a change in setlist order and we played Refugee to the drumbeat of Tennessee Whiskey. It was rough but we got through it.

I hope you guys rocked their socks off!

 

[flannel cat]

Have a good gig! Kick arse and take names!

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Late to the party, but I'm sure you guys killed it! You always remember the clams, but I'll bet folks had a great time. Broke a leg!

 

[CharleyJackson]

@hbarcat, it's a group effort and control of foreseeable circumstances. If the drummer drums like his best moments during practice and you and the guitar player are in tune and in sync with the drummer everything is going to be groooovy. If the equipment doesn't foul up, amps, P.A. setup nice and sweet, vocals on pitch. Alcohol and substances restrained, No brown M&Ms in sight, band playing with smart volume control and dynamics. Interaction with your audience, stage command. Playing good music…

Dang, your band Is Fantastic!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I fervently hope it went swell and you had a blast!!

 

[GKon]

I'm in a three piece rock/pop cover band that just started from scratch about a year ago.

We took a long time to get prepared to play shows because we're all perfectionists and want to make the best impression possible and present ourselves as professionals. This year we've played a half dozen gigs in local bars and have been well received and we think we're ready to start playing 2 - 3 shows a month, preferably in more respectable (and better paying) venues than local dive bars.

A few months ago our guitarist proposed putting on a free outdoor show at his house for our family and friends and anybody else who wanted to show up. He described it as being like a glorified practice/rehearsal, which would give us the benefit of focusing our efforts toward performing, not just going through a setlist isolated in our practice place. We all agreed to do it.

Over the past two months, this small, informal show has exploded into an important showcase for our band, with at least five different venue owners expected to be in attendance for the purpose of evaluating us for playing gigs at their establishments.

The gig is tonight.

Apparently, our guitarist is well connected, not only in the area music community, but also in the local business and civic community. He's convinced that whatever impression we make on this crowd will make or break our band. He says that if these venue owners like us, we can expect to parlay that into regular gigs in more upscale establishments. But if we blow it, we'll pretty much be finished, as word will get around that we're a bunch of hacks.

So, I'm as ready as I can reasonably be and will be leaving for the show in about two hours, with curtains up scheduled for 7pm, and I'm starting to get nervous like I haven't been in decades of playing live gigs.

The weather is going to be almost perfect. Clear skies with temps around 70⁰F and low humidity - a perfect, early Autumn evening. A nearly full moon will rise about the time we're finishing up our first set.

I'll post back here after the show and let you know how it went. I'll be recording video of the show with a Zoom Q3, so if all goes well, I'll have something concrete to share.

So, please wish us good luck tonight.


Later!

Kick some serious butt!!!!

 

[kesslari]

Hope it goes well and much good comes from it. But I suspect your guitarist has delusions about how make-or-break this show at his house is.

 

[MisticoRitualista]

Hope yall killed it

 

[ebo]

Having fun, getting your audience to have fun, and getting them thirsty for alcoholic drinks is the only criteria for getting booked at good establishments. Whether you're good great or mediocre is beside the point. You guys sound prepared and serious. Now have fun and melt faces! And have fun. And melt faces while having fun. You'll survive any minor slip ups.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[ijump206]

I hope you had a blast!

 

[shadven]

Start by locking in with the drummer and simultaneously listen to the singer.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Well?

I'm just back from an out-of-area gig and still no word?

 

[hrodbert696]

Belated good luck! Or, I guess - how did it go?

I hope it was great and you get some bookings out of it. But I wouldn't worry too much if it wasn't ideal. Bands can be like sports teams - you can have a bad game or a bad season, but it doesn't mean you won't build back up and come back swinging at the next game.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

You've got this.