Musician’s Traveler’s Guide – Showtime

1. Musician’s Traveler’s Guide – Showtime • A pocketbook to-do-list whilst on the go is fabulous to check that you are on track when on tour, whether you are managed or not. • Showtime: • Arrive in advance of the first rehearsal and/or sound-check scheduled time • Find the stage or venue manager and introduce yourself – have a tour if necessary • Offload equipment at the loading bay of the venue • Once cleared with the stage manager where to set-up and what the stage layout is, begin to set-up equipment on stage • Ensure that before you plug in anything that the power plugs have the right voltage for your equipment • Make sure your gear is not turned on • If plugging into their sound desk and amps – check before connecting equipment that everything is turned off and on mute • When ready and set-up, sound-check each instrument individually (speakers and individual monitors plus that it is fed into the other monitors how each musician requires it) • When sound-checking –first play 1 minute of a soft song, then 1 minute of the loudest number. If the male or female singersdoes a lot of hype they will need to sound-check this over the microphone so that any pops and whistling sounds can be eliminated • Final check of feedback is to use a feedback counter at the maximum volume of everyone playing • Once the sound-check is complete mark all the settings for each band member on the sound desk so that it is memorized (especially if there is another band playing, you do not want to lose your band sound) – make best friends with the engineers whilst you are at it! • Refer to the set-list of the show and do a run-through of the songs and iron out any issues • When the rehearsal is a wrap, turn off all equipment, mute your gear and ask the sound engineer if it is okay to disconnect • Remove all equipment (if no other band is playing, your band may not be required to move keyboards, amplifiers and cabs – however it is advisable to take your guitar • Check with the sound, stage and venue managers that they are happy - hand them each your business card • Ask the venue manager who to give your posters to put up, flyers to distribute and ticket-box person to sell your CDs • Check call-time for when the band’s wanted back at the venue • Find out where the dressing rooms and refreshments are kept – if not staying over, put outfits and suits in there • If staying in accommodation, take the band to go to hotel and check-in • Depending on the curtain-call (same day or day after), make sure each band member knows the agenda (mealtimes, check-out time, time to be at venue • Ensure everyone has each person’s phone number in the band – phones have credit and are charged! • Time to be at the venue: make sure all equipment is tuned up, voices are warmed up, if dancing do warm-up the muscles of the body, set-lists are placed (discreetly out of the audience’s view) on stage • Curtain-call: Walk tall onto the stage and acknowledge your audience • Then perform like a superstar would, work the audience and leave them screaming at the end! • Band members playing instruments to wait for the nod from the sound engineer to mute instruments so they can disconnect, place instruments neatly and walk off stage, acknowledging the audience • At the end of the show, thank the band, the sound, the stage and venue managers individually • Ask the band to meet at the front to greet your fans, promote your CD and sell, sell, sell • Once the crowd have left, head back to stage and pack up – do not leave ay rubble behind • Load all gear through the designated loading bay • Collect payment for the show • Collect any leftover CDs and sales money • Once again thank everyone and especially say goodbye to the venue manager • Do one last check you have everything (including wardrobe) and head on to the next show or home sweet home • Once home, follow up on footage and photo’s – post these up on your social media sites • Send a thank you email to everyone, special mentions to sound or refreshments or management • Always, make an impact, always be polite and always be invited back. • Read Musician’s Traveler’s Guide – Pre-Show for advice on what to arrange prior to rehearsals, sound checks and the show.