Modern Band: Stage Ready

The Gig Starts at Home

Explain and demonstrate one responsibility at every stage of a gig.

Knowing the songs is only part of being ready. PREPARE means learning the set and confirming the venue, schedule and equipment. PACK means physically testing and accounting for what you need. ARRIVE means checking in at the agreed time and unloading into the correct area. BUILD means placing and connecting equipment. CHECK means confirming that it works at usable levels. PERFORM means making music and following cues. RECOVER means restoring a workable performance when something changes. STRIKE means clearing safely and returning gear to its owner. A stage lead coordinates these jobs; the lead does not do every job. The Electronic Musician / DJ / Controller Performer is a performer with musical responsibilities, just as the guitarist is. A separate playback operator may start arranged material without performing those parts. Both need an advance plan. A laptop left charging at home can stop a song as surely as a missing bass. Professional behavior makes everyone’s work easier: tune before line check, play only when asked, keep cases out of traffic, keep drinks away from equipment and finish on time. Never change another player’s amplifier settings or unplug an unfamiliar cable.