How was your gig last night?

[dmccombe7]

15 minutes ago, Jack said:

After a whole year with no gigs and auditioning for nine bands, joining six, only to quit four of them, I started 2026 with a gig! New years day at Tynemouth squash club. My new brit pop project Rewind played our first gig to sadly mixed reviews, we knew we weren't at gigging level but the club had been let down by another band and 3/4 of the band (not me, I'm fat) are members so we were drafted. Some major blunders (me shouting chords at the guitarist during a disastrous 'I predict a riot' was a highlight) but overall I'm not too beaten up about it. We knew we weren't really ready and there were more good moments than bad, there's definitely the bones of a good band there. 

 

Rig: G&L tribute sb2, shure wireless, quad cortex, pair of qsc k12.2. 

Hpf: 130hz

Shoes: hiking boots

Rating: 4/10.

 

 

 

 

In at the deep end will get you ready far quicker than rehearsals. You soon learn not to make mistakes and put more effort in at home. That's been my experience over the years.

You now have the first gig under your belt so polish up on the set and get out there and just enjoy it.

All the very best for 2026.

Dave

[Norris]

19 minutes ago, Jack said:

there's definitely the bones of a good band there. 

Good to hear!

[Merton]

First gig of 2026 up in cold Manchester at Band On The Wall, was ace. Surprising number of people showed up for a two day mini-Americana festival celebrating the 10th anniversary of the bigger Buckle And Boots festival held at Whitebottom Farm near Stockport.

Katy Hurt had a 45 min slot on Saturday evening and we played pretty well I think (save a few little fluffs from yours truly). It was LOUD onstage but actually very well balanced.

Bass was my ACG TKO, which interested one fan to the extent that he’s contemplating commissioning one purely to hang on the wall…! Rig was house-supplied TC Electronics something with an Ampeg cab, so I just used my Digbeth pre for the FoH and to sculpt the onstage tone.

We had a blast, got back to Katy’s house around 1.30am and now I should probably get out of bed 😆

 

 

 

Edited January 4 by Merton

[theplumber]

First gig of the year and back in Stramash,Edinburgh. 3rd time for our band SHOUT! Not as busy as before but still a decent turnout! Mild amusement in the dressing room as our trombone/trumpet man told us how he got told off and nearly ejected from a city centre pub for using a vape! He then proceeded to stand just offstage and do the very same thing! Cue fire alarm and knock on door from security! Lucky for us he was ok about it! Been in similar situations and a couple of fire engines have pulled up outside! All good though!

Edited January 4 by theplumber

[Bluewine]

12 hours ago, Merton said:

First gig of 2026 up in cold Manchester at Band On The Wall, was ace. Surprising number of people showed up for a two day mini-Americana festival celebrating the 10th anniversary of the bigger Buckle And Boots festival held at Whitebottom Farm near Stockport.

Katy Hurt had a 45 min slot on Saturday evening and we played pretty well I think (save a few little fluffs from yours truly). It was LOUD onstage but actually very well balanced.

Bass was my ACG TKO, which interested one fan to the extent that he’s contemplating commissioning one purely to hang on the wall…! Rig was house-supplied TC Electronics something with an Ampeg cab, so I just used my Digbeth pre for the FoH and to sculpt the onstage tone.

We had a blast, got back to Katy’s house around 1.30am and now I should probably get out of bed 😆

 

 

 

 

I love tele body basses. Great pic.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

3 hours ago, theplumber said:

First gig of the year and back in Stramash,Edinburgh. 3rd time for our band SHOUT! Not as busy as before but still a decent turnout! Mild amusement in the dressing room as our trombone/trumpet man told us how he got told off and nearly ejected from a city centre pub for using a vape! He then proceeded to stand just offstage and do the very same thing! Cue fire alarm and knock on door from security! Lucky for us he was ok about it! Been in similar situations and a couple of fire engines have pulled up outside! All good though!

 

 

Love this !

 

Daryl

[Obrienp]

16 hours ago, theplumber said:

First gig of the year and back in Stramash,Edinburgh. 3rd time for our band SHOUT! Not as busy as before but still a decent turnout! Mild amusement in the dressing room as our trombone/trumpet man told us how he got told off and nearly ejected from a city centre pub for using a vape! He then proceeded to stand just offstage and do the very same thing! Cue fire alarm and knock on door from security! Lucky for us he was ok about it! Been in similar situations and a couple of fire engines have pulled up outside! All good though!

 

That just looks like a fun band to be in. Love a bit of brass and backing singers too. 

[theplumber]

30 minutes ago, Obrienp said:

That just looks like a fun band to be in. Love a bit of brass and backing singers too. 

It is mainly fun....trying not to fall out with 8 other souls!!!

[dmccombe7]

7 hours ago, theplumber said:

It is mainly fun....trying not to fall out with 8 other souls!!!

Your an easy going nature Stevie it'll be easy for you.

Worth making the effort for this band, they do sound first class and could make a decent name for themselves.

Stick with it.

Dave

[Woodinblack]

Not last night, actually sunday.  We had a gig at a pub in a local beauty spot (which considering I live in Yeovil, there aren't too many!), it was the day at the end of all the holidays. It was going to be a pain to get in. Turned up just after the singer so followed them in round a corner and parked by the building, as well as we could. Had to carry everything through a door that people were insisting of standing in the way of, but it was their party so couldn't be too annoyed at them. There was a tiny width of stage, and there were already a load of guitars there as apparently there was going to be a couple of people playing at our half time. We had to move the stuff as there wasn't enough room in general!

Anyway, we started and people were dancing from the start and they moved all the tables out of the room which was good. Did the first hour or so ending with whole lotta love that we haven't done for a while. Then we had a break and a lot of food from the party, while the public event of what appeared to be people singing to a backing track with a guitar went on for half an hour. Not sure why there were two guitars and a bass though!

Anyway we went back on and it went well, very interactive crowd, although towards the end of the night they started tailing off as the party had been going since much earlier, and the snow was making people think they should get going.

 

Was much easier loading again though due to the lack of people and tables, but there was a fair bit of snow. 

This beauty spot is the top of the hill, I was going to go the normal way down the hill, but the drummer said I should go the other way, through the villages, which isn't steep because of the weather, I didn't think it was really necessary, but driving out of the car park after the singer, on a very gentle slope the car antilock hammered. The singer was going the other way so I followed, it was a very slow journey home considering how short it is, but got there!

 

Heres my corner, nice and cosy.

 

This was actually 8pm and completely dark but the camera decided to just lighten it up. Thats the road.

Just before load in

Just before we started.

[dmccombe7]

26 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Not last night, actually sunday.  We had a gig at a pub in a local beauty spot (which considering I live in Yeovil, there aren't too many!), it was the day at the end of all the holidays. It was going to be a pain to get in. Turned up just after the singer so followed them in round a corner and parked by the building, as well as we could. Had to carry everything through a door that people were insisting of standing in the way of, but it was their party so couldn't be too annoyed at them. There was a tiny width of stage, and there were already a load of guitars there as apparently there was going to be a couple of people playing at our half time. We had to move the stuff as there wasn't enough room in general!

Anyway, we started and people were dancing from the start and they moved all the tables out of the room which was good. Did the first hour or so ending with whole lotta love that we haven't done for a while. Then we had a break and a lot of food from the party, while the public event of what appeared to be people singing to a backing track with a guitar went on for half an hour. Not sure why there were two guitars and a bass though!

Anyway we went back on and it went well, very interactive crowd, although towards the end of the night they started tailing off as the party had been going since much earlier, and the snow was making people think they should get going.

 

Was much easier loading again though due to the lack of people and tables, but there was a fair bit of snow. 

This beauty spot is the top of the hill, I was going to go the normal way down the hill, but the drummer said I should go the other way, through the villages, which isn't steep because of the weather, I didn't think it was really necessary, but driving out of the car park after the singer, on a very gentle slope the car antilock hammered. The singer was going the other way so I followed, it was a very slow journey home considering how short it is, but got there!

 

Heres my corner, nice and cosy.

 

This was actually 8pm and completely dark but the camera decided to just lighten it up. Thats the road.

Just before load in

Just before we started.

Looks like an odd setting but nice bass.

Dave

[Woodinblack]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Looks like an odd setting but nice bass.

 

Yes, on both counts, I have done over half of my recent gigs with it

[Norris]

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Yes, on both counts, I have done over half of my recent gigs with it

Is that the one that was up for sale on here a few months ago? I oggled that a few times! Nice

[Woodinblack]

Indeed, the rick 4004 5 string. most people would hate it for the string spacing, but it is just right for me.

[Bluewine]

We always slow down on bookings in the winter as we're more of a fair, festival band. I've got nothing until next month.

 

Daryl

[jezzaboy]

Played the Bungalow in my home town of Paisley last night. Weather was a bit miserable and we weren`t sure how many tickets we had sold prior to the gig. With pre sales and on the door we sold it out so the venue and us were well happy. It`s a great small venue, drink isn`t too expensive and Kev the soundman is a cool guy who used to work in the Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow, one song and the soundcheck was done.

 

I used my Greco P bass prob for the last time live as I have a US P coming next week. The only downside to the gig is I had done my ligament in my knee and the rhythm guitarist had one of his many knee op`s on Xmas eve so I had to sit down at one point whilst he stayed standing for the whole gig, both our knees are bloomin sore today but we got the gig done.

 

Edited 11 hours ago by jezzaboy

[dmccombe7]

8 minutes ago, jezzaboy said:

Played the Bungalow in my home town of Paisley last night. Weather was a bit miserable and we weren`t sure how many tickets we had sold prior to the gig. With pre sales and on the door we sold it out so the venue and us were well happy. It`s a great small venue, drink isn`t too expensive and Kev the soundman is a cool guy who used to work in the Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow, one song and the soundcheck was done.

 

I used my Greco P bass prob for the last time live as I have a US P coming next week. The only downside to the gig is I had done my ligament in my knee and the rhythm guitarist had one of his many knee op`s on Xmas eve so I had to sit down at one point whilst he stayed standing for the whole gig, both our knees are bloomin sore today but we got the gig done.

 

Well done selling out the Bungalow. Nice one @jezzaboy Look forward to seeing some pics of the new P bass when it arrives.

Dave

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, jezzaboy said:

Played the Bungalow in my home town of Paisley last night. Weather was a bit miserable and we weren`t sure how many tickets we had sold prior to the gig. With pre sales and on the door we sold it out so the venue and us were well happy. It`s a great small venue, drink isn`t too expensive and Kev the soundman is a cool guy who used to work in the Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow, one song and the soundcheck was done.

 

I used my Greco P bass prob for the last time live as I have a US P coming next week. The only downside to the gig is I had done my ligament in my knee and the rhythm guitarist had one of his many knee op`s on Xmas eve so I had to sit down at one point whilst he stayed standing for the whole gig, both our knees are bloomin sore today but we got the gig done.

 

 

You should support Kneecap...

[Stub Mandrel]

First gig of the year last night. Bluesfire at the Bush. Couple of mates of the guitarist and the drummerxs brother in, plus several familiar faces. Free pint of Guinness. Had a 'bucket' of sweet potato fries 🤗 one day I'll get there early enough to sample their pizza.

 

Experimented with a bit of mid boost, and I got positive comments on the tone. AVII, Orange Terror and AT212 slim.

 

A good gig but I had the wrong inserts in my earplugs for the first set, so took them out after two songs. Used the right ones for set two. Made a few fluffs but nothing too bad. My technique has improved a little recently, made a few changes to what I play. Got a couple of compliments 😁

 

Back at 1pm 😴

[Norris]

 

We packed the Conny at Thurmaston - standing room only, so happy with that. Plenty of dancing going on too. We even got complaints from staff who were on a night off, but had to help out because it was so busy 😂

 

I have pretty much settled on the Stingish bass as it's now just so comfortable to play, and I think I prefer a 2-band pre tbh. The Rumble v3 500 combo certainly isn't going anywhere. Even the black DMs are getting to be standard gig equipment.

 

Just the one gig this weekend. I quite like a slower start to the year after all the December/Christmas/NYE rush just gone.