At some point in your guitar playing journey, you will probably get bitten by the bug to join a band. Don’t let the fact that you will be infected with an incurable, life long disease scare you. There are many of us sharing the same infirmary, and just as sure as there are legions of starry eyed teenagers picking up the guitar every day, there are sure to be a steady supply of new admissions.
The common vision is that of strutting across a par light splashed stage to a room full of loyal, screaming fans. Nirvana!
But what about when the room is no longer a room? As a gigging guitarist, it’s just a matter of time before you encounter the joys of making music in the great outdoors.
It may not seem obvious at first, but outdoor gigs are a completely different animal than playing within the confines of solid walls. Here is a quick checklist of some issues to consider, and items to take, when doing an outdoor gig:
Advance Work – If possible, check out the venue ahead of time to determine:
– If a stage is provided, what the size is, and if it’s covered
– What electricity is provided, where the breaker panel is located, how many circuits are available to the band
– Where the load in area is, how is it accessed, what time is load in, and where can the band members park after load in
– Whether there are parking or admittance passes, and backstage passes, that should be picked up
– If a sound system will be provided, and an engineer. If not, plan on setting up you own, and be sure to mic all the instruments if possible to get a better sound coverage.
Extra Items to Take:
– Tarps! Eventually you will encounter a gig in the rain. Count on it, and be prepared by keeping tarp close by to cover your rig in the event of an unexpected afternoon squall
– Throw Rug. If there is no stage provided, and you are setting up on the grass, take a throw rug along to put your effects pedals on to keep off the dirt and the dew
– Sunscreen. Summertime outdoor gigs can be a killer, and you can get burned before you know it. Also, a wide brimmed hat can be a stylish, protective accessory.
– Bottled water. Don’t count on getting a cold drink at an outdoor event. Always take a small cooler, and stay hydrated on a hot summer day.
– Sunglasses
– Towel. Be prepared to wipe sweat off your brow, and everything else, between songs. This is not the time to use your guitar cloth.
– Mic Windscreens. Cover the mics with foam windscreens to cut down on excessive wind noise through the PA.
– Extension cords. Don’t count on an electrical outlet directly behind your amp. You may have to run a hundred feet out to the barn to get power.
– Analog Guitar Tuner. The great thing about digital guitar tuners is the fancy lights and LED’s the tell you, with a glance, if you are in tune. That’s also the bad thing about them for outdoor gigs, because those LED’s can be almost impossible to see in the sunlight. A good analog tuner, especially with a VU needle, will be a life saver.
Outdoor gigs can be a lot of fun and a nice change of pace from the confines of a nightclub or concert hall. By doing a little prep work in advance, and adding a few extra goodies to your gig bag, you’ll be able to focus on the most important issue – making great music!
