Gig Etiquette

This article is to assist new and even seasoned performers. Many challenges with personnel and audience interactions invariably come up when you gig often. Some situations are easily managed while others may blindside anyone. Let’s review a few scenarios and how to best handle or resolve them.

Volume Issues

Many restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and other venues want live music but are not wanting extremely loud volumes. It’s a major challenge as not only does this force the musicians to set a volume that may be too low for their own preferences, but sometimes your guitar or bass amp can’t go any lower in volume. And then there’re the drums, which don’t have a volume knob if you use real drums. The venue itself may have very a low ceiling and hard surfaces that cause audio reflections that compound the initial volume issue.

The Solution: Be proactive about this at every venue that is new to you. Scale your amps, sound system, and size of drum kit when you can if you are expected to play at a lower volume. Bring items that can act as a baffle or absorber such as foam, towels, etc. You may need to dampen drums and your stage amps. Placing towels over the guitar cabs can help, but be careful to not block ventilation.  Towels on the drums can help or you can use lightweight sticks or sticks called “Hot Rods”. It is best to show you are making an effort, rather than do nothing. Doing nothing is a way of telling the venue you don’t care. Instead of guessing at your volume, ask the venue staff in charge if your volume is appropriate. Show them you care and are inviting their input.

Bad Audio

If you are performing at a venue that provides a sound system, be prepared to encounter issues. Many venues are happy to have purchased a system, but maintaining it is not always a priority. I’ve played venues where many of the mixer’s inputs were dead, speakers were blown, and the gear was not properly grounded, so I was electrically shocked if my lips touched the microphone. Expect this. Carry a foam mic cover so you don’t get hurt. Bring a mixer with you as a backup if you can. Kindly point out the safety issue and tell the venue you are happy to provide your own gear if they are unable to repair or replace their gear. Likewise, do the same if you are experiencing poor quality from a monitor or other gear. If the venue has a dedicated person running sound, ask them upfront to alert you to any potential sound issues. Don’t ask if the gear is faulty as the sound person may own that gear and you don’t want accidentally insult that person. Ask a general question and if there are faults with the gear, the sound person will likely tell you and apologize ahead of the performance. Present yourself as someone that is easy going. It will make overcoming challenges less confrontational. 

Booking Issues

Some venues have one dedicated person to handle booking. Others may have more than one. Politely ask about this so you are prepared to deal with more than one person. If you are communicating via text or email, save copies to your phone or computer that shows the date, name of the person and the gig time. You’ll want this should any discrepancies arrive about the booking. Also, make sure the payment for the performance is documented. The person that booked you may not be present the day of the gig and you will be reliant on someone else at the venue to pay your fee. Having it in writing is the best way to show that person what you were promised in the event they were told otherwise. Proof of the booking details can also help should there be an accidental double booking. In one instance, it helped decide who had been booked first by showing the date on the confirmation email. In another instance, we showed up to play to find another group already performing. Our terms stated we would be paid if the venue caused the cancellation the day of the gig. So, we got paid to not play.

Showcases or Festivals

You will find yourself playing a stage where you are one of many bands performing that day. Think about how you want to be treated by the other bands. Don’t touch another band’s gear. Don’t block access to another band’s gear, the stage or any critical area. Do not begin to load your gear onto the stage until the previous band has unloaded or given permission to start loading. In fact, a stage like this will have someone in charge. Be sure to check in with them. Remove your gear from the stage as soon as your performance is over. Don’t make the next band wait for you. If you have a tip jar, merchandise to sell, flyers, etc. ask about these in advance before you unpack those items. You’ll want to be in compliance with the event rules on tips and merch sales.  

You’ll never be able to predict all challenges at a gig, but the above tips can and will help you handle the most common scenarios. Put them to good use and have a good gig.

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