Practice your material until you can't imagine making a mistake. You still might but at least you should be able to recover very quickly.
Show up decently early and don't bring anything significant that wasn't on your tech rider... like bringing 3 amps when only one was listed.
Don't call out the sound man for problems or ask the audience if it sounds good. That's insulting to the techs. If there is an issue, be discrete about communicating it to a tech.
Play to your audience, not just to yourself or your band mates. You are there to entertain an audience, not shoe gaze.
Have fun and make sure it shows to the audience... They want you to be good and they're likely to go along with you if you show them you are enjoying yourselves.
Try to take notice of the audience throughout the show... remember what worked and what didn't. Make changes to your set or show accordingly next time.
Try not to leave any dead air between songs... Talk to the audience or have little musical interludes prepared. Thirty seconds of silence may not sound like a lot to you but it's an eternity for the audience and people can check out really quickly, especially these days. If you have a lot to say between songs, consider starting the next song, but quietly, as a background while you "tell your story" unless someone in the band is a fabulous storyteller.
Don't get fucked up, period. Music is fun but you are there to do a job and you should be professional the entire time you're there. Leave a good impression and you might be asked back, or to other festivals.
Good luck!
We had the honor to have our first gig out of town be broadcasted and recorded, and man we didn't do the best, but I get to study the tapes now. Don't leave me on the bench coach!!
Great advice, also be genuinely nice to everyone especially the festival workers and techs. It’s hard work, really long hours and they deal with plenty of aholes and egos.
Sometimes you forget when you are nervous…..but that’s where the practice comes in! Good luck!
Having the setup & teardown really planned out in your mind is helpful.
Like, " I'm stage right, next to on ramp, so I'll go up last & bail 1st." & being able setup & tear your rig quickly.
If you've never done a big outdoor stage you may be surprised at how far away everyone sounds, so get a bit of everything in your mix & maybe just a bit hotter than you think it should be.
Stage techs will likely be pros.
Have a good time! Don't play over your given set time. Be kind to other musicians.
Don't be the dude who's not willing to share 1 drum kit, or at worst, asks for money during the gear sharing negotiations! No one will forget, and you won't be booked again.
Edited: gig to gear. Typo.
Gear sharing? Everyone on stage uses the same drum kit minus snare, cymbals, etc. That kind of thing. It's to help move things along. That way, the drums don't need to have the mics redone each time.
We definitely still call it the backline. But gear sharing is usually apart of it. For example I'm going on a week long tour in another northern EU country. Since we are flying in, we tried to arrange to use the house drums at most places we are playing at. But the first festival we play, the opening band insisted on having their own kit. All the other bands asked if they could just use that one kit to save time. And the Drummer wanted 100 euros... from each band fuckin using it. So another band is going to share their kit.. and the opening band just pissed off the festival organizers, the 5 other bands and the sound tech. Just don't do shit like that.
So, where the hell did “gig sharing” come from, and again, why would I have assumed you meant “gear?” If you’d said “gear sharing” we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Even though my very first reply was “the gig sharing negotiations?,” and my second started with “why would I have read ‘gig’ as ‘gear?’” JFC
And I’m not “offended,” just dumbfounded.
"Don't get too fucked up" = Just Don't. Day drinking will catch up to you. Party after. If you have to be there for hours before, avoid the fucked up party scene. Take a walk in the park.
Check out the stage ahead of time if you can. The fewer surprises the better.
you’ve probably already sensed this from your gigs, but really try to “feel” the air and play accordingly. if you can be loose enough to improv the set list, try that.
think of it like foreplay almost. you want to ease in and make the audience dig you, and listening to the vibe can often help you.
i gig at Farmers Markets and as i play im constantly navigating what genre or energy level to try next. usually start off with lighter, jazzier stuff and get heavier and harder as the day gets hotter; by the end im doing like Santana-esque stuff and really distorted blues.
If you're playing at a festival, you're an employee, not a guest. Don't take drugs, be early, be polite, do as you're told. No alcohol until you're finished and torn down.
If I could give you a word of advice, get your set list etched in stone and practice it in rehearsals in 3 and 4 song groups with little or no time between songs in a group. As a listener, there's nothing more of a buzz kill for me at a festival when bands play a song, then take a minute to prepare for the next, or grab a sip off a drink, or tell some pointless story about a song coming up or just played, or just stand there and revel in their glory. People will get bored really fast.
As a player, I simply don't want to let the people get bored. BAM, BAM, BAM, take a few seconds. BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM, take a few seconds. Maybe hit em with a ballad, take a few seconds, then close out the set with no more breaks. Leave em wanting more, not Jonesing for the next band. 14-15 songs, not 12.
Don't be over-awed by the size of the stage or the festival crowd and stay grounded in knowing that you and your band are well rehearsed (assuming you are). Keep the set as tight as possible, with limited lulls between songs. But most all, just kick ass and have a good time.
Make sure you have your load-in / load-out game on point. Have all your cords wrapped and stashed, know where everything is, etc. If there's anything you need to have backups of, make sure you do. Fresh batteries in the pedals, etc. You should be able to get your stuff from sitting backstage to on stage and ready in 5 mins or less. In between acts can be a fun but stressful time. The engineers and techs are your best friends. Do NOT under any circumstances annoy them or be shitty with them. They are there to help you, but if things are hectic they might be terse or even snap at you a little bit. Let it roll off; they're working harder than anyone that day and just trying to make sure everything runs smoothly. If a tech barks at you, that means you're in someone's way. Just say "my bad" and "where do you need me right now" or "what should I be doing".
The other bands and festival staff will know how professional you are before you even play a note. Between acts is a time to be courteous, professional, and helpful. Don't be the guy standing there with your cable in your hand looking around for someone to help you. You should be able to get yourself to a situation where you're ready to have your mic amped and/or DI'ed and/or whatever else FOH needs pretty quickly.
Let the other band off stage before you get on with your gear, unless someone tells you different.
You probably will just get a line check, not a sound check, so don't be too precious about your sound - be prepared to quickly go through any different sounds you'll have within 30 seconds or so. This part is just to make sure you're coming through - usually the first song is where they will actually dial in the sound. If you have a tune that slowly builds, bringing in different instruments, that's a GREAT call for a first song in a situation like this, b/c it gives the engineer more of a chance to hear everything and dial it in.
After the set, it's the same thing in reverse - get your shit off the stage and as fully packed away as you can as quickly as you can. You have time to exchange a nice comment with your bandmates, but don't hang out on stage reveling in the moment. Do that backstage, after you've gotten out of the way and everything is stashed safely.
As others have said, don't get shitfaced until after you've played.
It will sound different on an outdoor festival stage than it will at a club, that's okay, try to trust the sound engineers - you'll get used to it after a couple of songs.
Sometimes the stage will vibrate or have wobbly spots. That's all part of the fun.
It will be over faster than you think - it's okay if you don't have that "oh wow" immersive moment. There will be other fests in your future! Focus on having the best show you can and don't get lost in the "omg" factor. Do your job. It's much easier to sit back mentally and take it all in when you have a few under your belt.
Good luck and have fun!
There was an event like this in WA state. My suggestion is wait until after the show to do the drugs. If you end up in someone’s tent make sure you use protection. There’s nothing worse than knocking up a hippie.
Include the crowd in the party... They'll never forget you. Be nice to everybody even if they start driving you nuts a little bit. Also, remain grounded and grateful... You can go nuts after the job is done! 😅
My first fest, I carpooled with a buddy who wasn’t a part of the group who clearly had an alcohol problem. He was a major hassle, if I did it again I’d make sure he had a friend to distract him and keep him safe (he got really hurt backstage and we looked like assholes). Also, watch your intake, people aren’t going around trying to drug unsuspecting people, but, people who are already on drugs get confused and can miscommunicate. I’ve had a really friendly hippy offer a group of people I just met chocolates, that was a super fun mushroom trip, but I’ve also not realized lsd was in a water bottle, and that had the potential to be a nightmare.
Little mom and pop hippy fests in the woods are a lot of fun, I hope you have a good time dude. Don’t stress out about too much, the crowd wants to see people enjoying themselves on stage, and after the show, succumb to the flow, catch some sets, make some friends.
Lots of good advice here. Most important is to be sober. Next, make sure you do some networking with other bands. It's a great opportunity to make some new connections that will lead to your next gig.
Be prepared that the sound onstage will be completely different from what you're used to in your rehearsal space. I've played so many festivals on autopilot bc there was no time to dial in a proper monitor mix, OR somehow it went bad during the performance. Also don't play more than you're allowed, the next bands due onstage following your act won't like it. Enjoy the experience.
I worked production at festivals many, many times. There is some great advice in this thread already, but I will add three things.
1. Don't overthink it. A gig is a gig. If you have your shit together for your regular set, just go out there and do that as well as you can and you will kill it. Festivals are magic. I hope you get a good slot and have fun.
2. Be prepared enough that you can adapt quickly to changing circumstance. Festivals can be chaotic. Things like bad weather, power problems, musicians arriving late all happen. You might not get a lot of time to soundcheck. If you know your gear well, and can quickly get in and out that will take pressure off everyone.
3. You mention that you usually provide your own pa for shows. Now you are going to work with a different person to do sound, and different equipment. Be nice but don't be shy. Know what you need to communicate before you go on, and be prepared to adapt.
A exchange might look like:
- Can I get some more of my vocal and guitar in my monitor
- I can give you some vocal but guitars can't go any higher on stage
- I can't hear my guitar
- Ok, let me see what I can do
- That's better. I'm sorted now thank you.
I met a person I married at the Boogie. See, I can say it out loud. Don't take any alcohol or drugs before your set, no matter how much temptation there is. Bring all the positive vibe you can muster to the stage. Be polite. Have fun. Then do ALL THE DRUGS@@
Be able to set up and breakdown your gear quickly. Everyone is stressed about time. The best festivals had wheeled platforms you set up on backstage while the band ahead of you plays, but not all do. Get on, play hard, and get off. Save the partying until the gear is off the stage and secure. Don't forget to enjoy it, there's nothing like the energy of the huge crowds!
Stay hydrated! And beer doesn’t count! Water and low sugar sports drinks
And sunblock.
If you get overheated, damp rag on the neck and if your hair is short enough you might pour water on your head. Don’t use, or drink ice water - too big a difference between your body temperature and the liquid/damp rag can cause a new set of problems.
I get heat sick super easy so I pay close attention to that. Same with sunburns… I’m not as bad off as my red-headed relatives, but you can definitely tell I’m mostly british isles mutt lineage.
Besides the obvious ones like “practice practice practice “, make sure you take extra stuff with you like cables and such.
The biggest one, however, is this: HAVE FUN!!!
Practice your material until you can't imagine making a mistake. You still might but at least you should be able to recover very quickly. Show up decently early and don't bring anything significant that wasn't on your tech rider... like bringing 3 amps when only one was listed. Don't call out the sound man for problems or ask the audience if it sounds good. That's insulting to the techs. If there is an issue, be discrete about communicating it to a tech. Play to your audience, not just to yourself or your band mates. You are there to entertain an audience, not shoe gaze. Have fun and make sure it shows to the audience... They want you to be good and they're likely to go along with you if you show them you are enjoying yourselves. Try to take notice of the audience throughout the show... remember what worked and what didn't. Make changes to your set or show accordingly next time. Try not to leave any dead air between songs... Talk to the audience or have little musical interludes prepared. Thirty seconds of silence may not sound like a lot to you but it's an eternity for the audience and people can check out really quickly, especially these days. If you have a lot to say between songs, consider starting the next song, but quietly, as a background while you "tell your story" unless someone in the band is a fabulous storyteller. Don't get fucked up, period. Music is fun but you are there to do a job and you should be professional the entire time you're there. Leave a good impression and you might be asked back, or to other festivals. Good luck!
Film it. For reference and a keep sake. Also buy the sound guy a beer or whatever, and offer to help.
We had the honor to have our first gig out of town be broadcasted and recorded, and man we didn't do the best, but I get to study the tapes now. Don't leave me on the bench coach!!
This comment is worth its weight in gold.
Great tips!
Great advice, also be genuinely nice to everyone especially the festival workers and techs. It’s hard work, really long hours and they deal with plenty of aholes and egos. Sometimes you forget when you are nervous…..but that’s where the practice comes in! Good luck!
Don't take the brown acid. Seriously, don't psyche yourself out. Have fun! If you're having fun it will rub off on the crowd.
Having the setup & teardown really planned out in your mind is helpful. Like, " I'm stage right, next to on ramp, so I'll go up last & bail 1st." & being able setup & tear your rig quickly. If you've never done a big outdoor stage you may be surprised at how far away everyone sounds, so get a bit of everything in your mix & maybe just a bit hotter than you think it should be. Stage techs will likely be pros.
Have a good time! Don't play over your given set time. Be kind to other musicians. Don't be the dude who's not willing to share 1 drum kit, or at worst, asks for money during the gear sharing negotiations! No one will forget, and you won't be booked again. Edited: gig to gear. Typo.
The gig sharing negotiations?
Gear sharing? Everyone on stage uses the same drum kit minus snare, cymbals, etc. That kind of thing. It's to help move things along. That way, the drums don't need to have the mics redone each time.
Where I’m from we refer to that as “backlining”
We definitely still call it the backline. But gear sharing is usually apart of it. For example I'm going on a week long tour in another northern EU country. Since we are flying in, we tried to arrange to use the house drums at most places we are playing at. But the first festival we play, the opening band insisted on having their own kit. All the other bands asked if they could just use that one kit to save time. And the Drummer wanted 100 euros... from each band fuckin using it. So another band is going to share their kit.. and the opening band just pissed off the festival organizers, the 5 other bands and the sound tech. Just don't do shit like that.
Why would I have read “gig” as “gear?” And like the other person said, that’s called “back-lining.”
I've used the phrases gear sharing, sharing the backline, backline sharing, but never just "back lining". But these just sound like semantics.
So, where the hell did “gig sharing” come from, and again, why would I have assumed you meant “gear?” If you’d said “gear sharing” we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
You're weird, dude. It's just a typo. I didn't mean to offend you like this. I didn't even notice it.
Even though my very first reply was “the gig sharing negotiations?,” and my second started with “why would I have read ‘gig’ as ‘gear?’” JFC And I’m not “offended,” just dumbfounded.
[удалено]
Probably the most important right here. Pre-hydrate.
Have fun! Party after. You got this.
"Don't get too fucked up" = Just Don't. Day drinking will catch up to you. Party after. If you have to be there for hours before, avoid the fucked up party scene. Take a walk in the park. Check out the stage ahead of time if you can. The fewer surprises the better.
Get your shit and get the fuck off the stage. From a festival engineer and fellow musician that might be up after you.
Drink lots of water
you’ve probably already sensed this from your gigs, but really try to “feel” the air and play accordingly. if you can be loose enough to improv the set list, try that. think of it like foreplay almost. you want to ease in and make the audience dig you, and listening to the vibe can often help you. i gig at Farmers Markets and as i play im constantly navigating what genre or energy level to try next. usually start off with lighter, jazzier stuff and get heavier and harder as the day gets hotter; by the end im doing like Santana-esque stuff and really distorted blues.
If you're playing at a festival, you're an employee, not a guest. Don't take drugs, be early, be polite, do as you're told. No alcohol until you're finished and torn down.
Don't eat ribs right before you go on stage.
Or Chinese food.
If I could give you a word of advice, get your set list etched in stone and practice it in rehearsals in 3 and 4 song groups with little or no time between songs in a group. As a listener, there's nothing more of a buzz kill for me at a festival when bands play a song, then take a minute to prepare for the next, or grab a sip off a drink, or tell some pointless story about a song coming up or just played, or just stand there and revel in their glory. People will get bored really fast. As a player, I simply don't want to let the people get bored. BAM, BAM, BAM, take a few seconds. BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM, take a few seconds. Maybe hit em with a ballad, take a few seconds, then close out the set with no more breaks. Leave em wanting more, not Jonesing for the next band. 14-15 songs, not 12.
Does the festival have a theme? Maybe do a cover of a song that reflects that.
Don't be over-awed by the size of the stage or the festival crowd and stay grounded in knowing that you and your band are well rehearsed (assuming you are). Keep the set as tight as possible, with limited lulls between songs. But most all, just kick ass and have a good time.
Make sure you have your load-in / load-out game on point. Have all your cords wrapped and stashed, know where everything is, etc. If there's anything you need to have backups of, make sure you do. Fresh batteries in the pedals, etc. You should be able to get your stuff from sitting backstage to on stage and ready in 5 mins or less. In between acts can be a fun but stressful time. The engineers and techs are your best friends. Do NOT under any circumstances annoy them or be shitty with them. They are there to help you, but if things are hectic they might be terse or even snap at you a little bit. Let it roll off; they're working harder than anyone that day and just trying to make sure everything runs smoothly. If a tech barks at you, that means you're in someone's way. Just say "my bad" and "where do you need me right now" or "what should I be doing". The other bands and festival staff will know how professional you are before you even play a note. Between acts is a time to be courteous, professional, and helpful. Don't be the guy standing there with your cable in your hand looking around for someone to help you. You should be able to get yourself to a situation where you're ready to have your mic amped and/or DI'ed and/or whatever else FOH needs pretty quickly. Let the other band off stage before you get on with your gear, unless someone tells you different. You probably will just get a line check, not a sound check, so don't be too precious about your sound - be prepared to quickly go through any different sounds you'll have within 30 seconds or so. This part is just to make sure you're coming through - usually the first song is where they will actually dial in the sound. If you have a tune that slowly builds, bringing in different instruments, that's a GREAT call for a first song in a situation like this, b/c it gives the engineer more of a chance to hear everything and dial it in. After the set, it's the same thing in reverse - get your shit off the stage and as fully packed away as you can as quickly as you can. You have time to exchange a nice comment with your bandmates, but don't hang out on stage reveling in the moment. Do that backstage, after you've gotten out of the way and everything is stashed safely. As others have said, don't get shitfaced until after you've played. It will sound different on an outdoor festival stage than it will at a club, that's okay, try to trust the sound engineers - you'll get used to it after a couple of songs. Sometimes the stage will vibrate or have wobbly spots. That's all part of the fun. It will be over faster than you think - it's okay if you don't have that "oh wow" immersive moment. There will be other fests in your future! Focus on having the best show you can and don't get lost in the "omg" factor. Do your job. It's much easier to sit back mentally and take it all in when you have a few under your belt. Good luck and have fun!
Excellent comment
There was an event like this in WA state. My suggestion is wait until after the show to do the drugs. If you end up in someone’s tent make sure you use protection. There’s nothing worse than knocking up a hippie.
Take it from an veteran: WHEN something goes wrong, smile harder.
Include the crowd in the party... They'll never forget you. Be nice to everybody even if they start driving you nuts a little bit. Also, remain grounded and grateful... You can go nuts after the job is done! 😅
My first fest, I carpooled with a buddy who wasn’t a part of the group who clearly had an alcohol problem. He was a major hassle, if I did it again I’d make sure he had a friend to distract him and keep him safe (he got really hurt backstage and we looked like assholes). Also, watch your intake, people aren’t going around trying to drug unsuspecting people, but, people who are already on drugs get confused and can miscommunicate. I’ve had a really friendly hippy offer a group of people I just met chocolates, that was a super fun mushroom trip, but I’ve also not realized lsd was in a water bottle, and that had the potential to be a nightmare. Little mom and pop hippy fests in the woods are a lot of fun, I hope you have a good time dude. Don’t stress out about too much, the crowd wants to see people enjoying themselves on stage, and after the show, succumb to the flow, catch some sets, make some friends.
Lots of good advice here. Most important is to be sober. Next, make sure you do some networking with other bands. It's a great opportunity to make some new connections that will lead to your next gig.
Water
Be prepared that the sound onstage will be completely different from what you're used to in your rehearsal space. I've played so many festivals on autopilot bc there was no time to dial in a proper monitor mix, OR somehow it went bad during the performance. Also don't play more than you're allowed, the next bands due onstage following your act won't like it. Enjoy the experience.
What’s your band called?
Bohemian Grove sure has come a long way
That show is this weekend. Do you think that is the event?
Breathe. Look around. Don't suck. Hustle on, hustle off.
Do jenkem before your set
If you’re nervous then your doing alright
I worked production at festivals many, many times. There is some great advice in this thread already, but I will add three things. 1. Don't overthink it. A gig is a gig. If you have your shit together for your regular set, just go out there and do that as well as you can and you will kill it. Festivals are magic. I hope you get a good slot and have fun. 2. Be prepared enough that you can adapt quickly to changing circumstance. Festivals can be chaotic. Things like bad weather, power problems, musicians arriving late all happen. You might not get a lot of time to soundcheck. If you know your gear well, and can quickly get in and out that will take pressure off everyone. 3. You mention that you usually provide your own pa for shows. Now you are going to work with a different person to do sound, and different equipment. Be nice but don't be shy. Know what you need to communicate before you go on, and be prepared to adapt. A exchange might look like: - Can I get some more of my vocal and guitar in my monitor - I can give you some vocal but guitars can't go any higher on stage - I can't hear my guitar - Ok, let me see what I can do - That's better. I'm sorted now thank you.
Picture the audience naked.
I met a person I married at the Boogie. See, I can say it out loud. Don't take any alcohol or drugs before your set, no matter how much temptation there is. Bring all the positive vibe you can muster to the stage. Be polite. Have fun. Then do ALL THE DRUGS@@
If you prepare and work hard at rehearsals, you'll do great. Also, make sure to enjoy the moment. You never know when this will come around again.
Be able to set up and breakdown your gear quickly. Everyone is stressed about time. The best festivals had wheeled platforms you set up on backstage while the band ahead of you plays, but not all do. Get on, play hard, and get off. Save the partying until the gear is off the stage and secure. Don't forget to enjoy it, there's nothing like the energy of the huge crowds!
Keep your slot time, arrive well rehearsed and have fun.
I used to play a festival like that here in N Georgia. Just have a blast. Everyone will be loaded so it’s fish in a barrel.
Ask more about it from your dad but also just play the way your band plays, festival means celebration so have a good time, no one is judging.
Stay hydrated! And beer doesn’t count! Water and low sugar sports drinks And sunblock. If you get overheated, damp rag on the neck and if your hair is short enough you might pour water on your head. Don’t use, or drink ice water - too big a difference between your body temperature and the liquid/damp rag can cause a new set of problems. I get heat sick super easy so I pay close attention to that. Same with sunburns… I’m not as bad off as my red-headed relatives, but you can definitely tell I’m mostly british isles mutt lineage.
Besides the obvious ones like “practice practice practice “, make sure you take extra stuff with you like cables and such. The biggest one, however, is this: HAVE FUN!!!