This question came to me via an SBL challenge thread and it’s one of those things that could prove useful to others that are looking to start playing live, so I thought I’d turn my answer into an article! That first gig can be something of a nerve-wracking situation, especially if you’ve never played live in any capacity before and the absolute last thing you want is to be forgetting any of your gear and/or essentials because you were busy thinking about the music!
Personally, I have a mental checklist of these things (some of which never leave the car/gig bag) and my gear always gets packed in exactly the same order so that I don’t forget anything. My advice for those first few gigs is to hand write a checklist (or write a note in an app on your phone) and cross things off as they get packed into the car. DO NOT cross anything off the list until it is loaded and accounted for. Build extra time into your schedule before you depart for the gig so that you can do this methodically and carefully, because there is nothing worse than feeling rushed when you need to be leaving the house!
Your Bass/Strap
Priority number one is your instrument!! It may seem obvious, but I’ve seen people forget their instruments before and have to go back home again, as crazy as that may seem! This is your ‘mission critical’ so make sure it is packed and accounted for! You’re playing stood up? Make sure you put your strap in the case! With my loading method, the bass is the very last thing to be put in the car so when I’m leaving the house the gig bag is always on my shoulder.
Tuner
Having some way of tuning is crucial, so make sure you pack your tuner, be it hand held, clip on or pedal! Personally I prefer either a pedal or hand held tuner because clip-ons (in my experience) don’t register my low B string reliably.
Your Rig
Again, it may seem obvious, but people can and do forget parts of their rig. If you have separate amps and cabinets, make sure all the components of your rig are loaded and accounted for! I like to load the rig first as it’s by far and away the biggest component so everything else then fits around it in the car.
Cables
Make sure you have your quarter inch instrument cable and all the cables that you need to make your rig function properly. As I said above, have a packing system so that you know exactly what has been packed. If you’re in a professional situation and are being paid, I would very much recommend that you take a spare for all the major cables, so a spare instrument cable, a spare kettle lead for the amp and a spare speaker cable if you’re running an amp and cab(s). I like to pack my cables in signal chain order, so instrument cables (in the gig bag), then preamp to power amp cable, then the two speaker cables, then the two kettle leads I need for my rig, and all the various spares. Carrying extra cables may be an extra expense, but if you’re in a professional situation it can save you serious blushes if something does break. I also like to have a long 4 way extension lead with me at all times so even if the nearest power outlet is on the opposite side of the stage to me, I can still get my rig plugged in without needing to bother the MD or the sound guys/venue staff. If you happen to be using In Ears, make sure that they (and the monitor pack) are also included.
Breakables
These are important ‘just in case’ items. Will you need them? Probably not, but they are for that 1 in 1000 situation where you break something or something fails and it needs to be replaced. Number one is a complete spare string set. Strings can break unexpectedly, even when you’re not slapping, and a 5-minute break to replace one (cue “drum solo”) is less awkward that trying to complete the gig with a string missing (especially if it’s an inner string such as the D). If you own multiple basses, even better. Take two with you! That 5-minute string change becomes a 30 second bass change.
If you play an active bass, have at least one spare battery with you in your bass gig bag. You never know when that battery may decide to die on you so be prepared to change it! If your battery compartment cover is screwed shut (as mine is) make sure to have a small screwdriver!
A spare fuse for your amp is a good idea, as is a spare tube if you play a valve amp! Both are things that “probably” won’t break but could save your gig if they do! All my ‘breakables’ apart from the strings (they go in my gig bag) live in a small bag that fits in the side pocket of my cable backpack, so it all goes neatly in together.
Music
If you’re reading music of any description, make doubly sure you have it with you! You need a music stand? Make doubly sure it’s packed! You’re reading off an iPad? Make sure it’s fully charged and that you have the charger, page turner (if you use one) and charging cable with you. You never know! I’ve forgotten to power down the iPad after using more than once, and I’ve arrived at the gig to find that it’s got 30% power for a 3 set gig. I have a really long iPad extension cable that, in a pinch, can go from the iPad right round the back of my rig to the 4 way, so I can plug it in if the situation demands it.
Trolley
This is very dependent on what your situation is (and how big/heavy your rig is....), but a little trolley to help you get your gear around can be an absolute godsend, and can also save you feeling sore and fatigued the day after.
Ear protection
Not enough musicians use ear protection on their gigs. Your ears are your single most important asset you have as a musician, and once you damage them there is no coming back, no surgery that will restore it them (currently). Get yourself some ear plugs (one set lives in my bass case, one set lives in my car), I like alpine music pro earplugs because they’re easy to come by, don’t cost the earth and have adjustable filters depending on how much you want to bring the DB level down. They also don’t make things sound like I’m listening underwater, which really helps when you’re listening to the rest of the band. Do they reduce the ‘vibe’ of the gig? Maybe a little, but is that vibe really worth you living with tinnitus and hearing loss...?
Food and water
Staying fed and hydrated is crucial if you’re going to play well. It helps you to maintain concentration, reduces fatigue, and I generally wouldn’t count on the venue being able to supply either food or water of reasonable quality, even if both are technically on your rider (remembering one particular gig where the ‘food’ for the entire 8-piece band was a small plate of cucumber sandwiches). Take a litre bottle of mineral water and a couple of snacks and/or a small meal pack with you so that hunger doesn’t strike mid set. Playing late at night? I like to take a small thermos of my favourite coffee with me!
Clothing
Certain gigs sometimes require you to dress a certain way, but as far as possible make sure that you wear clothing that is comfortable for you to play in, tops that don’t pinch around the shoulders and restrict your movement when you’re stood playing for example. Playing outside? Make sure that you’re wearing clothing that will keep you warm enough, because nothing saps your energy and concentration (and enjoyment!) like getting cold. In wintertime, I also make sure I take gloves with me so my hands don’t get really cold while I’m loading my rig in.
If you enjoy the content I have here, you can support and contribute to me doing more of this for the price of a Café Nero latte (£4.10). Every single contribution is appreciated and enables me to bring more transcriptions, lessons and articles to the table!
My pre-gig packing ritual
I’ll give you a look at what my own gear loading checklist/ritual looks like
1 - Bass goes in the gig bag, along with the strap, iP Bluetooth pedal, tuner and instrument cable. I check that I have my spare strings and spare batteries for the bass, tuner and bluetooth pedal as well as my basic tools (screwdriver, Allen keys, truss rod adjuster, wire cutters and tweezers). My earplugs and IEMs live in here too and never get taken out except to clean them or for use on the gig.
2 - Cable rucksack gets packed. This contains my spare instrument cable, 3 power leads, my speaker leads and a spare of each, my 4way power cable, laptop, laptop charger, long iPad charging cable and my phone charger. This bag also contains my spare fuses for the rig, but these are never taken out while I’m home anyway.
3 - Stand bag gets packed, this contains my music stand and my bass stand.
4 - Car loading begins! The cabinets get loaded first, followed by the pre/power amp rack. Trolley goes in next, followed by the stand bag. Lead bag goes in the rear foot well. Suit bag/clothes bag also goes in at this point. I pack that the night before, this way I don’t get to 20 minutes before leaving and realise I don’t have a clean shirt
5. Personal bag is packed, this contains deodorant, a bottle of water, a couple of snacks, my coffee thermos and usually a small meal pack. This way I can (as I mentioned earlier) exercise some sort of control over what food I’m eating that day.
6. Time to leave! Gig bag and personal bag are loaded and it’s off to the gig!
This might seem like a lot with all the spares and whatnot, but I prefer to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I’ve never had my lead or my rig break on me mid gig yet, but I’ve had batteries die and strings break in the past, so I’ve seen the benefit of being prepared!
Any thoughts or questions, please share them below!!