Gigging in the rain

[Beedster]

We've a couple of outdoor gigs lined up and the topic of safety came up at rehearsal last night, largely as the result of the 'what do we do if it's pissing down with rain' conversation. Anyone got a good info source on this, or any potentially useful advice/experience they can share?

Cheers

Chris

[chris_b]

If you're expected to play in the rain and you're not totally protected.... don't!

[tauzero]

Have tarpaulins or similar on hand to put over the gear if it starts to rain.

If it pisses down, don't play. It's not just the 240V wandering round looking for a handy route to ground, it's also the slippery stage/ground that provides a hazard. If it's just drizzle, make an informed decision.

Ideally, have a reserve indoor venue. We moved an entire rock festival from the Tamworth castle grounds to a large upstairs room in a pub about 20 years ago.

[Beedster]

[quote name='chris_b' post='840574' date='May 18 2010, 10:03 AM']If you're expected to play in the rain and you're not totally protected.... don't![/quote]

What does 'totally protected' entail. My gut instinct is that there's no such thing?

[MIJ-VI]

Will this be a generator powered gig?

If so...

Using A Power Generator
[url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=657887"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=657887[/url]

[chris_b]

[quote name='Beedster' post='840583' date='May 18 2010, 10:12 AM']....What does 'totally protected' entail. My gut instinct is that there's no such thing?....[/quote]
It means you and your gear are not getting wet, damp or dripped on.

[Musicman20]

If its not covered over, personally Id be very wary. In fact I wouldnt. Im sure it must have a large tarpaulin covering you and your equip?

We are playing a 'festival' wedding in Scotland in July...I have no idea what they have setup but we are obviously sorting this out well before we go.

[MIJ-VI]

Perhaps a book similar to this one could be found at a local public library?

Electrical Safety for Live Events (Paperback)
[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-Safety-Live-Events-Marco/dp/1904031285"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-Safety-...o/dp/1904031285[/url]

Then there's this resource:

The M e t a project brings together music makers and workers across the British Isles!
S a f e G i g g i n g
HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR MUSICIANS
by Dave Cross
[url="http://www.artsdata.net/wwwMETA/HandS.asp"]http://www.artsdata.net/wwwMETA/HandS.asp[/url]

Edited May 18, 2010 by MIJ-VI

[OldGit]

As a minimum use wireless for mics and for your bass. Have a big tarp to cover your amp. (cheap from a DIY store)

Agree to meet an hour before setting up to review the weather situation and forecast..
The sunny day and the tipping down day are not the problem. It's the "will it, won't it" day that's the risky situation..

The stage should be suitably protected with roof and side sheets. I imagine the event insurers would insist anyway) oh and make sure you agree that you get paid if it's raining, assuming you're getting a fee for this one

[Stingray5]

[quote name='OldGit' post='840823' date='May 18 2010, 01:30 PM']As a minimum use wireless for mics and for your bass. Have a big tarp to cover your amp. (cheap from a DIY store)

Agree to meet an hour before setting up to review the weather situation and forecast..
The sunny day and the tipping down day are not the problem. It's the "will it, won't it" day that's the risky situation..

The stage should be suitably protected with roof and side sheets. I imagine the event insurers would insist anyway) oh and make sure you agree that you get paid if it's raining, assuming you're getting a fee for this one [/quote]
+1

[xilddx]

[quote name='Beedster' post='840567' date='May 18 2010, 09:58 AM']We've a couple of outdoor gigs lined up and the topic of safety came up at rehearsal last night, largely as the result of the 'what do we do if it's pissing down with rain' conversation. Anyone got a good info source on this, or any potentially useful advice/experience they can share?

Cheers

Chris[/quote]
It's a pretty simple answer really. Don't let any of the electrical equipment get wet unless the manufacturer says it is safe for it to do so.

For a start you should be playing undercover. I can't imagine any sensible event organiser having an unprotected stage with PA, amps and lighting in a country with weather like the UK.

Best to check with the event organisers what their safety measures are and ask to see a risk assessment and method statement. If you get much difficulty from them, ask the local authority EHO team.

Hope that helps, Chris.

[crez5150]

....... some sort of hat?

[flyfisher]

A wireless link should be safe in the rain.

[Cat Burrito]

Every outdoor gig I have done has been covered stages - has the promoter confirmed that this is NOT the case? If the weather is that bad they won't run it & amps normally sit back where it is most protected

[Telebass]

Completely uncovered gig = non-starter. You'd be crazy to even consider doing it in this country. However, I can't really believe that there won't be adequate cover. It would mean the event promoter is a complete novice!

Edited May 19, 2010 by Telebass

[oldmanrock]

Watch out for water on the stage. The Bee Gees once refused to play an outdoor gig during a thunder-storm saying it was unsafe. The promoter asked whether they'd perform if the support band survived! Check your power leads to make sure your not going to form a link to earth.

[xilddx]

[quote name='flyfisher' post='841307' date='May 18 2010, 07:52 PM']A wireless link should be safe in the rain. [/quote]
It is. You are completely safe and you can watch your amplifier smoke, sizzle and explode with complete peace of mind

[Paddy Morris]

I don't know if this topic is still live, but I'm hoping to pick up some advice.

We're playing a mini festival locally, and because it's for charity and small scale I have agreed to run the sound system for the gig using our gear.  I regret it now, but it's too late to withdraw really.  Amongst the other headaches involved, we will be sourcing mains feed from some distance away, so I'll have to manage the loading and volts drop quite carefully. 
 

On a previous gig a few years back we were in a similar situation in the pouring rain.  I managed to keep all the gear dry under gazebos and tarps, but the actual ground was very wet.  I noticed that you would get a small tingle off the mic pop shields when touched.  Nothing like a mains voltage bolt, but enough to seriously put you off your game if your lips touched the mic.  I assumed that this might have been due to signal earth and safety earth and actual ground potential being at a few volts apart.  There was no time to test it, we just had to play on through and be careful.  We had an RCD connected, which never tripped.

Has anyone else come across this, and did they identify a fix.  For instance I was wondering if tying either safety earth or tech earth to a local earthing spike near the stage might made a difference?  Ideally it will stay dry for the gig, but I wanted to plan for the eventuality that it's wet, because there a 5 other bands involved.

[Beedster]

Electricity and water, read the above? If you're going ahead and rain's a possibility, get an expert in to check the circuits and supply, check your insurance (esp public liability), and veer on the side of caution. 

 

BTW I did call off one of the gigs referred to in the original post, which was a birthday party for a friend which ended up as to all intents an acoustic singalong under a gazebo in torrential rain

[TimR]

2 hours ago, Paddy Morris said:

For instance I was wondering if tying either safety earth or tech earth to a local earthing spike near the stage might made a difference?

 

What kind of generator is being supplied? Often they don't get earthed, but they should be. 

 

The signal and safety earth should be the same thing as the amps will use the normal earth. 

 

 

 

[chris_b]

I did a marquee gig once where the lights were running off a generator and the band were running off a daisy chain of extension leads from the house. As I understand it, that had some very dangerous possibilities!!

[franzbassist]

17 minutes ago, chris_b said:

I did a marquee gig once where the lights were running off a generator and the band were running off a daisy chain of extension leads from the house. As I understand it, that had some very dangerous possibilities!!

I did a very similar gig.  Rain was so heavy it was pooling in the canopy right over the PA mixer and amps 🥶

[Count Bassy]

Something I read somwhere, a long time ago:

 

Electricity and water don't mix, especially when connected by people!