What is your Gig day preparation?

[bassbully]

Tell me about how you handle the day of a gig from when you rise to when you arrive. After last weekends gig day in which I handled horribly, I’m looking for pointers. I have been playing for years but will admit I’m not always organized on the day of a gig.
Sometimes it falls into place, but it seams anymore I’m turning around and it’s time to load the truck to leave, although it feels I just got out of bed.
Sometimes it’s my fault sometimes it’s work (seldom) or family that effect it. Do you practice before you leave for a a gig, lay low, rest, or pace the floor in anticipation?

 

[Dogbertday]

Plenty of family, house, and work the days of gigs. I keep my gig gear ready and have separate home gear (unless i call an audible) except my basses. So i just grab my gear and go. Once at the gig i stretch and warm up.

What have you noticed as far as problems?

 

[bassbully]

Plenty of family, house, and work the days of gigs. I keep my gig gear ready and have separate home gear (unless i call an audible) except my basses. So i just grab my gear and go. Once at the gig i stretch and warm up.

What have you noticed as far as problems?

Lately it seams it’s time to go right after my feet hit the floor out of bed. It’s like I turn around and the day had flown by and I’m cramming to get my **** together. After last weeks gig where I didn’t eat or hydrate right I vowed it won’t happen again.
To be honest I try to do anything non music related during the day like doing something with my family. That sometimes backfires and takes more time away and my focus as well. Since I know I’m going to be gone all evening and home after midnight when they are sleeping. That makes me feel a bit guilty if I don’t do something with them the day of a gig.

 

[HauntedDave]

I literally go through everything I will be using at the show from the ground up. Every battery is tested with a voltmeter, cords are inspected for any excessive wear, wireless is tested, strap buttons/locks are checked for tightness, extra picks, batteries, cords, fuses, and sharpies are packed, and then everything is loaded making sure nothing is forgotten. I won't eat any sooner than 3 hours before showtime, do some low impact stretches, get stage clothes ready, and then off to the show! Always give a 110%.

 

[LBS-bass]

I try not to schedule anything much on gig days, but if it's a Friday I might have work. I make sure I know what I'm going to wear and I have my gig bag packed up with extra cables, batteries, a screwdriver (in case batteries need changing), and other miscellany the day before. If it's out of town, I pack a bag and make sure I have the overnight essentials. I have learned to travel light.

I make sure I have my gear in the car and ready to go an hour before it's time to leave. Before I head out the door I take inventory to make sure I haven't forgotten anything.

If I have time, I straighten my hair

 

[FilTurd]

Get up coffee hang out with my wife.Listen to Guttermouth, eat, head to the van. If we have a member who parties the party is at the studio. Recheck gear and head out and have a blast until we get to point B from point A. The point C from B

 

[DirtDog]

Nothing special. Ill load up an hour before I need to leave, grab a shower and put on clean clothes. Stop at McD’s on the way for my traditional pre gig meal. Arrive at the venue about 90 minutes before downbeat. Set up, sound check, play.

That’s for a Saturday gig.

Friday gigs - race home, take five minutes to load up. Grab a shower if there’s time. Race to venue and hope there’s time to eat and grab a drink before downbeat. Inevitably forget something!

 

[mongo2]

I wake up, do stuff, load gear, go to gig, go home, unload gear, go to sleep. Repeat as required.

 

[theduke1]

If it is a standard 8-12a nap in the afternoon is a must at this point for two reasons
1 so I can give it my all even if we are asked to play longer
2 so I am somewhat normal the next day
Otherwise it’s just another day
Duke

 

[lz4005]

In the morning I make a mental check list of what gear I'm taking. Then double check that everything vital is in my gig bag. Zip it up and put it near the door.

Sometimes I use a gig as an excuse to avoid yard work on weekends. To rest my hands of course.

Other than that, the only thing I do is time my meals so I eat about 2 hours before we play.

 

[twinjet]

Sleep the night before, eat good foods to fuel the brain and triple check gig supplies.

 

[still learning]

get to soundcheck at around 5.30
drink 150ml of scotch which i have brought with me in a flask
when thats finished continue drinking beers from the
band rider till beginning of second set (around 9ish)
then stop drinking and hope im below .05 for the drive home
always have a fun time.

 

[bassbully]

get to soundcheck at around 5.30
drink 150ml of scotch which i have brought with me in a flask
when thats finished continue drinking beers from the
band rider till beginning of second set (around 9ish)
then stop drinking and hope im below .05 for the drive home
always have a fun time.

Risky be careful.

 

[bassbully]

Anyone go over their setlist day of show? Maybe a tricky song or new ones the band added recently?

 

[ONYX]

Make sure everything that is supposed to be in the gig bag is in the gig bag.

Check the instrument: action, make sure the jack is working, check battery on active basses.

Give the amp a quick once over--make sure it powers up and produces sound.

Double and triple check gig time, gig location.

Make sure the vehicle has enough fuel to get to AND from the gig.

 

[jshinal]

Yes, I definitely will brush up on a song or two if there are any tricky parts.

Being over 50 I deal with aches and pains before they happen with some nutrition and supplements. I take glucosamine for joints, and Glutamine for stamina so my muscles are fully fueled and I won't run out of gas in the middle of a fast song. I notice a big difference with the glutamine.

Organize any papers I need (set list, a chart for a song if I need it, etc), most of my accessories live in a rectangular crate (cables, spare tuner, FingerEase for humid days). My bandmates joke about it, but if someone needs something, I'm the guy they ask for it. I hate not having some little item I need.

I'm trying to organize our load-in better so we get the big stuff up first (power, lights, PA).

 

[Wesley R]

Back when I gigged, I had a list of stuff, and everything was packed (not loaded) the day before (if it was in cases it was in the case, if it was in a bag, it was in the bag) and all lined and ready to go.Always at the gig by the specified set up time, always helped other schlep there stuff. Introduced myself to (when appropriate) to owners, bartenders, wait staff, the happy couple (bride and her mother), etc.

 

[Paulabass]

Shave my legs, and pack the car. Kiss girlfriend on the way out the door.

 

[RichardW]

We usually gig on Saturdays, so a nap on Saturday afternoon is always a good idea. Beyond that, I try to make sure I drink a lot of water the 24 hours before the gig, to avoid finger cramping caused by dehydration. I will sometimes run through songs again, but if you're rehearsing the day of the gig, it's probably too late. The band will show up about 2.5 hours before show time, set up, and then we get something to eat.

 

[Maxfenderbass]

I have this super healthy this I do where I don't eat anything. I play better on an empty stomach.