What is your Gig day preparation?

[jamro217]

Not at my age!

However, since I vigorously whoop up on myself for any and all oversights, it's unlikely that I forgot and then forgot that I forgot.

Fugettaboutit.

 

[klokker]

I rarely practice on a gig day because usually the gig happens during the time I would practice. I do try to get to the gig early and do my warm up stuff which is really important for me. But we have a lot of lights etc. that we use and I try to be there early to help out with that as well.

If it's a busy day, it doesn't seem to affect me that much. At this point in my bass playing career I can show up cold and just pretty much play so it's not a big deal. Ideally I try to be at the venue an hour before the sound check which is usually about 45 minutes before we start.

 

[stubborne]

yeah, saturday gigs I'll try to noodle while watching the tube or something. Fridays are always a huge rush as it's just hours between end of work and load in. But, Saturdays are still the hardest. I'm a day drinker, I love drinking beer, during the day. Weekends with no gig, I'm beddy time at 10. So, it's a huge challenge to find something to do other than inspect the beer fridge for some lost gems or anything that looks good, really, while watching hockey. Sometimes I manage, sometimes 3rd set really sucks.

 

[bassbully]

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).

Glutamine Yes! I’m glad I started this post and it’s what I need. I just got back to the gym a month ago and feel great except my knee which is improving. I will look into that for sure and used it years ago. Thanks.

 

[bassbully]

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.

The nap is sometimes on my list and water will be for sure after last weeks debacle. I never go thru songs to learn them just to refresh on a few parts and warm up

I'm a stranger and you don't have to answer this as it is kind of personal... But how are you doing otherwise? Feeling depressed or anxious?

I ask because I have anxiety issues and on days that I have "a lot to do" (at least in perception) by way of family, house, gig, work, it can completely throw off my time management because I'm just frazzled and bouncing off the walls TRYING to do everything but not really doing it... And so I end up rushed.

Anxious yes and frantic as well at times. I like the rush don’t get me wrong but sometimes just get frazzled and don’t plan well like last week. This is why I posted this for some ideas and help. There is no depressions issues but just did go thru a very rough patch after losing my job of 20years.

 

[Muttleybass]

I don't get trashed the night before.. Not that I do anyway, but I try and get a good night's sleep.
No booze during the day of the gig. Nothing wears me out faster than a beer or two at lunch.
If I need a nap, I'll squeeze it in. (did that just make me sound old? )

4:00 Warm up... Go over some of the stuff that's newer or harder to remember.
4:45 Tear down the rehearsal room. Load truck... Full PA lights, basses, amp...
5:30 Shave. Get dressed.
6:00 Leave my place.
6:30 Arrive at venue and unload truck.
6:50 Set up PA, Lights, amp... It's faster if you leave me alone.
8:15 Grab a bite from the bar... Usually a stir fry or something somewhat healthy. No burgers or fries.
8:55 One last pee.
9:00 Rock the joint. One beer between the second and third set, sometimes.
12:45 Order one more "tear down" beer. Wrap cables. Load truck.
1:20 Drive home.
1:50 Unload truck
2:10 In bed.

 

[bassbully]

Well I pack the night before after a light dinner and plenty of water. Wake up according to work schedule or if it’s my day off, wake up 8 ish. Make coffee, breakfast, and then lounge on the couch with my wife for a number of hours.

Then I go through my usual nervousness and tell my wife how I don’t feel prepared, and then have heightened anxiety and then my fight or flight instinct kicks in. Eat some lunch, plenty of water and then just try to calm down before I recheck my gear and load the car.

Usually by the time I show up 2+ hours before downbeat, I’ve calmed down enough where I don’t want to bail on the gig (have never done that btw). I then set up and make sure all my ducks are in a row and chill. Maybe 1 beer.

Then downbeat, nervous as all get up. First song over... “Oh that wasn’t bad at all. Let’s rock it!!!” 2-3 hours later, last song ends, “Anybody wanna do the sets again? I’m finally warmed up and ready to play for real.”

Ha! Sounds like me in some ways.

 

[JRA]

corporate/wedding band: i am the production guy on 50-60% of the gigs (though i don't mix those gigs!), and they are generally in another state (usually a neighboring state).
so, typically:
- up at 5-6am (or about 9-10 hours before sound check)
- coffee, breakfast
- get the trailer and load it
- pack/load my stuff (gear and clothes)
- drive...wherever (usually 2.5 - 3 hours)
- arrive by the pre-determined load in time, usually in the afternoon.
- set up (with help) the PA/lights by the pre-determined sound check time (usually takes about 2 hours)
- soundcheck (usually 30-60 minutes)
- dinner (usually provided)
- the gig (usually 4 hours)
- tear down and load out (usually 1.5 - 2 hours)
- drive home (same as the drive there, except all downhill this time)
- unload the trailer and take it back to storage
- home: bring my axes inside, drink a little, maybe
- fall out
- unpack car and gear the next day.
if i don't provide the production on these gigs = my day is about 4 hours shorter: i don't have to set-up or tear-down the PA/lights.

jazz band: the gigs are almost always at night, generally close by (within 30-40 minutes drive), and we use minimal production (speakers on sticks) which i provide.
so typically:
- up at 5-6am (ha! i'm old --- i get up early!)
- coffee, breakfast
- TV news, pace and curse (optional)
- head to gig to arrive 1.5 -2 hours before we hit
- set up (usually 45-75 minutes)
- get a drink, eat something (usually provided)
- gig 3-4 hours
- pack up and load out (30-40 minutes)
- home: eat/drink (optional)
- fall out
on the rare occasion i don't have to take a little PA: i arrive 0.75 - 1 hour before we hit. plenty of time to say "hi" to the other musicians and intimidate the drummer.

that's my story...i'm going to stick with it.

 

[Mr.Ace]

I do pretty much zero prep gig day. I have all my gear ready to go at any time. I make sure and do my homework way ahead of game time. I usually feel over prepared if anything. Maybe try and eat if I have time.

 

[BlueShox]

 

[InhumanResource]

The nap is sometimes on my list and water will be for sure after last weeks debacle. I never go thru songs to learn them just to refresh on a few parts and warm up

Anxious yes and frantic as well at times. I like the rush don’t get me wrong but sometimes just get frazzled and don’t plan well like last week. This is why I posted this for some ideas and help. There is no depressions issues but just did go thru a very rough patch after losing my job of 20years.

You might be stressed out given the rough patch. Sorry to hear about the job.

Sometimes it is worth paying attention when you're frazzled like that. I tend to get crazy as well but am not always good at identifying WHEN I'm in a bad place. So I kind of ride it out while thinking "I'm just fine" and don't notice how crazy I'm acting until it becomes a little too obvious. Gotta pay attention to it.

Hope you're doing well and can find a way to relax

 

[DirtDog]

Can I ask?

Double quarter pounder with cheese and large fries. Pretty much guarantees I won’t need to take a dump for at least 12 hours!

 

[sing-modulator]

wake up
go to gig
get dollars
go home
sleep

 

[bassbully]

Double quarter pounder with cheese and large fries. Pretty much guarantees I won’t need to take a dump for at least 12 hours!

If I ate that it would be the opposite results in 12 minutes.

 

[SactoBass]

Sleep in
Kiss my wife good morning
Have breakfast
Floss and brush my teeth
Do some laundry (colors, whites, or towels, depending on which basket is stacked higher)
Surf Talkbass for a while
Play tug-o-war with my dog (usually with the squeaky toy)
Have lunch
Kiss my wife mid-day
Chill out for a while (maybe take a mid-afternoon nap)
Go play bass at the gig
Have dinner
Update my daily expense spreadsheet
Relax
Surf Talkbass some more
Kiss my wife goodnight

 

[Kmonk]

I just do what I do on any other day. Nothing special. Once I get to the gig and sound check is done, I'll usually get something to eat and maybe have a beer or two.

 

[HolmeBass]

Friday gigs can be tough. I’ll try to pack my basses into my gig bag and my pedal board and bring it all upstairs. Then if I have to go right after work I pack my car Friday morning. I either wear my gig clothes or bring a change of shirt. If I am coming home for dinner Friday night I will pack after dinner, and probably take a leisurely dump before heading out.

Saturday and Sunday gigs are a lot easier as I just load the car and head out to arrive about 2 hrs before downbeat. I won’t try to do too much the day of a gig; no heavy yardwork, no excessive driving (not related to getting to the gig), and I might even grab a nap. If I go to the gym I would be a really light workout.

I have to eat some healthy food, if possible, at the normal lunch and dinner times. Playing on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster as I’ll get a headache and then start losing mental focus. Need fuel in the tank to play well.

I usually do not rehearse the day of a gig, but I might teach a lesson if one is scheduled. I might play a bit to check out my bass or last-minute pedalboard changes, but I try to save it mostly for the gig.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I've been doing this for a while. I'm also in a zydeco band that's pretty busy during Mardi Gras, so by the time Fat Tuesday (today!) comes around... I'm ready for a break. I use to take off on Ash Wednesday because I'd just played 5 or 6 gigs in a row... sometimes a couple in the same day. I think the folks at work thought I got religion or something...if they only knew!
But now that I'm retired, I just make sure nothing's scheduled after Carnival is over.
Most of our gigs are early, so a gig doesn't mess up my daily schedule too much. I do make sure that all my gear is packed & loaded and I can get to the gig with at least 45 minutes for setup.... And I help move all the gear and stay until everyone is packed and on the road.

 

[GBBSbassist]

Make sure I have all my gear. Get dressed. Load up. Go.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Gig day is just like any other day. I do whatever I would usually do until it's time to load the car, shower, and head out. Work if it's a work day. Surf if it's a surf day. Take care of my 5 year old son and drop him off at a sitter if my wife has to leave for a gig before I do. (she's a working violinist)

I guess the biggest difference from a non-gig day is that I may attempt to control my body and get a poop out before I have to leave for the gig. But I don't push, I coax through positive thought and intention.