After a many hours of practice, you have finally scored your first gig. That's awesome. This is an important step for a band. All those hours paid off and now you are going to get paid. However, a bands first time can be either heaven or hell depending on how this first gig goes. It can determine their music career.
You want to be prepared for your first gig. This is a make or break time for bands. Most band start off by playing a school dance, band competition, party or bar and you want to make sure this event leads to more gigs. Being prepared is very important. If this goes poorly, you might not play again.
The first thing you need to do to prepare for your act is rehearse and then rehearse some more. Like the boy scouts, you need to be fully prepared. When you play in the garage, you are in one small room and quite close to your fellow band mates. However, while on stage, you can be separated a lot and you might to be able to hear what they are playing or trying to say to you. If you know your music well, you will never miss a beat.
It's important to be confident in yourself. Rehearse your songs in the order you will perform them so you can make sure everything will be ok. You want to be as organized as possible and make it seem like you have been doing this for years and years. Playing the whole set before the show will let you know of any problems or issues that might arise that you didn't expect.
Write a song list/order for all the band members and a few spares if the gig is using a sound or lighting guy. Make notes if you want any special effects done for you by the sound man. Each member should write notes on his or her list if they need to remember certain things such as pedal adjustments or guitar changes. With your equipment, give it a full check before the show. If something is worn or breaking, replace it with a fresh set. This is your first gig so you want everything to be perfect.
Make sure you have new batteries for pedals and especially tuners, and for any wireless systems you may be using. And don't forget a guitar stand or two!! Have a spare lead close by even if you are using wireless system as it is a good back up. a lot of bands, label everything clearly with your name or at least some special markings. A lot of time things disappear at these shows.
The most important thing to do at the show is enjoy yourself. This is your first gig. If you are too nervous or anxious, you will end up psyching yourself out and not performing well. Just have fun and remember why you wanted to do this in the first place. Most times everything goes fine anyways.
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