OldGit Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='silddx' post='249760' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:33 PM']Nah, get the singer to scream, "Hello England" in an American accent.[/quote] Yeah that always goes down well here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I may be a lone voice here, but I feel there is a risk in starting with your own material. An audience that does not recognise the first song you play may vote with their feet, so I would suggest starting with covers, and move onto your own material when you have got the audience on your side, and finish with a cover that they know and love. Having said that, my only gig is a church worship band, so this is my gut feeling, not my experience talking - YMMV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 [quote name='Mottlefeeder' post='250089' date='Jul 28 2008, 11:55 PM']I may be a lone voice here, but I feel there is a risk in starting with your own material. An audience that does not recognise the first song you play may vote with their feet, so I would suggest starting with covers, and move onto your own material when you have got the audience on your side, and finish with a cover that they know and love. Having said that, my only gig is a church worship band, so this is my gut feeling, not my experience talking - YMMV[/quote] I kinda disagree, I think starting with your own number shows confidence and makes a statement that you are an originals band that does a few covers, rather than the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 [quote name='silddx' post='250241' date='Jul 29 2008, 10:16 AM']I kinda disagree, I think starting with your own number shows confidence and makes a statement that you are an originals band that does a few covers, rather than the other way around.[/quote] I agree with this sentiment. You can start with an original, but you have to make sure that the intro and ending are bulletproof, and you play it with gusto and enthusiasm. Play it as if it were your #1 hit and the audience know all the words. S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuseMatt Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Just out of interest what covers are you playing? As said before (but just to mention it again): put your lead through your strap, nothing looks more stupid than someone bending over to put their lead back in Think about what you want to hear on the monitor, and focus on that during rehearsals. If your whole band does this, you can make a small rider out of it, to give to the soundtechs. This might help you get a better onstage sound. If you know the venue, you could also put up how you possibly might want to set the stage (which amp where, which monitor where). Mind however you are with 3 other bands, they might not want to switch too much. But most important: have a great time on stage, try to interact with the other band members! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 [quote name='MuseMatt' post='250255' date='Jul 29 2008, 10:30 AM']Just out of interest what covers are you playing?[/quote] setlist.. our song Slither - velvet revolver wish you were here - incubus Mr brownstone - GNR random bass/drum guitar swap song Them bones - alice in chains Almost easy - avenged sevenfold Our song. end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redzombie Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Bring a 4-socket power adaptor, with a REALLY long lead. You'll be amazed at some of the daft places some venues have their wall sockets, as well as a plain shortage of them. Your guitarist will probably thank you too, when you let him use one of the sockets for some of his 8 zillion effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Try to make equal numbers of clockwise and anticlockwise stage moves. Also if you venture round a mike stand be sure to go back in the opposite direction. (Excerpt from "Cables for Dummies") Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Definately tuck your lead thru your strap If you can, use straplocks Make sure your guitard knows how to set up his pedals (Almost died of embarrasment whilst stood onstage for our soundcheck in a Leicester Sq venue with the soundguy evilling us cos the guitard has just spent the last 5 mins causing monstrous feedback and bangs because he has no idea how to work his gear...) Always imagine every crowd to be a sold-out wembley, screamin your name, and that you know every song backwards! Above all else, befriend the soundguy, he dictates if you live or die onstage...he can make the best band sound appauling, and the most mediocre band sound, well, less mediocre! Rock out sarah, you'll love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuseMatt Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [quote name='Sarah5string' post='250396' date='Jul 29 2008, 01:58 PM']setlist.. our song Slither - velvet revolver wish you were here - incubus Mr brownstone - GNR random bass/drum guitar swap song Them bones - alice in chains Almost easy - avenged sevenfold Our song. end[/quote] I love the songs! As an advice here (and this will probably sound very annoying): try not to merge too many different styles, but head into one direction especially as a beginning band. That will help you get a certain image of the kind of music you want to play, and possibly more gigs. But for the next concert: Rock out! I'd move incubus a bit more to the back because it's probably a huge crowdpleaser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 One thing I don't think has been covered is that when you soundcheck, play exactly like you will play the gig: hard/soft/fingerstyle/plectrum etc. No point in giving it some Mark King 'giggidy, giggidy,gigidy, goo' if you're playing rock. One thing I used to do was, even though I have a rack tuner, I used to sit in the wings with a small tuner just to check before I went on in case I was miles out. for some reason, its a bass player's wont to take 2 or 3 of everything with them. I used to take a large sports bag bursting at the seams. Thing was that I rarely had to use any of it but it definitely comes in handy - especially when one of my leads started cutting out mid gig last weekend. chances are you will be nervous but don't worry about it, everyone is and once the nerves go you'll enjoy it even more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 That's a good tip that people keep bringing up: remember to enjoy it. Sometimes you can start to forget that that's what it's all about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [quote name='The Funk' post='252069' date='Jul 31 2008, 02:43 PM']That's a good tip that people keep bringing up: remember to enjoy it. Sometimes you can start to forget that that's what it's all about.[/quote] No, we must suffer for our art! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Don't tune through the amp, nothing is worse than hearing someone tune during songs. Only mention once if at all that it's your first gig, no one will really care, it's harsh but true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='252236' date='Jul 31 2008, 06:36 PM']Only mention once if at all that it's your first gig, no one will really care, it's harsh but true.[/quote] Don't mention it at all. You probably won't sound like a "first gig band", so don't say anything that'll make you seem like a bunch of bedroom wusses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='249747' date='Jul 28 2008, 04:25 PM']If you're in Wolverhampton then you could always grab the audience's attention by starting with [b][i]"Hey, Coventry! Good to be here!".[/b][/i] :brow:[/quote] Or by shouting "Come on you Baggies" elom (Wolverhampton Poly alumni - well would have been if he'd graduated...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Lots of wise advice in this thread (much like when I asked the same question 18 months ago back on bassworld) to which I would add: [list] [*]Start with your 2nd best song, finish the encore with your best song [*]Look like you're having fun even if you're not - it makes it easier for the audience to have a good time [*]When you make a mistake - don't wince - smile! (they will spot the wince more than the mistake) [*]Don't leave extended gaps between songs and don't play 'the tuning up song' [*]Look like you're having fun even if you're not - it makes it easier for the audience to have a good time (worth repeating!) [/list] The first gig is daunting but it will not be a disaster and subsequent gigs will be easier. Let us know how you get on, elom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 [quote name='Delberthot' post='252064' date='Jul 31 2008, 02:35 PM']One thing I don't think has been covered is that when you soundcheck, play exactly like you will play the gig: hard/soft/fingerstyle/plectrum etc.[/quote] +1. Preferably do a song which covers your entire dynamic range, if you have one. And keep an eye on the soundman, if he's got your balance sorted 30 seconds in and starts gesticulating at you to wind up, he won't be all that happy at you continuing for the remaining 8 minutes of your epic rock operetta. As elom said, don't wince at mistakes - also, don't all look over at whoever it was hat made the mistake. Just carry on and the audience will realise it was a jazz moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Don't deficate into your hand then throw it at the audience, it doesn't go down well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Careful at the get-in - it's easy to strain summat when you're all excited. Oh, don't dislocate your knee and pass out either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.