Outdoor Gigs Setup

At some particular point in your guitar playing journey, you'll likely get bitten by the bug to join a band. Do not let the proven fact that you will be infected by a terminal, life long disease scare you. There are several of us sharing the same hospice, and just as sure as there are legions of starry eyed youths picking up the guitar each day, there will definitely be a regular supply of new acknowledgments.

The common vision is that of strutting across a par light splashed stage to a room full of devoted, howling fans. Nirvana!

But what about when the room isn't a room? As a gigging guitar player, it is just a matter of time before you run into the wonders of doing music in the great outdoors.

It might not appear obvious initially, but outdoor gigs are a very different animal than playing inside the bounds of solid walls. Here's a quick checklist of some issues to think about, and items to take, when doing an out of doors gig :

Advance Work - if possible, check out the location beforehand to ascertain :

- If a stage is provided, what the size is, and if it is'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 get picked up

- If a sound system will be supplied, and an engineer. If not, plan on setting up you own, and be sure to mic all of the instruments if possible to get a better sound coverage.

extra Items to Take :

- Tarps! Ultimately 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 not any 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 dust and the dew

- suntan lotion. Summer out of doors gigs can be a killer, and you can get burned before you know it. Also, a wide brimmed hat c ould be a stylish, protective accessory.

- Bottled water. Don't rely on getting a cold drink at an out of doors event. Always take a small cooler, and stay hydrated on a hot summer day.

- sunglasses

- Towel. Be ready 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 froth windscreens to cut down on disproportionate wind noise thru the PA.

- Extension cords. Don't count on an electrical outlet without delay behind your amp. You could have to run a hundred feet out to the barn to get power.

- analogue Guitar Tuner. The cool 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's also the difficult thing about them for outside gigs, because those LED's can be nearly impossible to see in the daylight. A good analog tuner, particularly with a VU needle, will be a life saver.

Out of doors gigs can be a ton of fun and a pleasant pace adjustment 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 crucial issue - making great music!

Outdoor Stage hire does not have to be as difficult or expensive as you might think. There are many providers from which you can get prices and most will include the setup of your stage.