Advice for those New to Gigging

[Emerald Midi]

Now I am not too presumptuous to assume that I know it all when it come to gigging but I am at this craic for 30 years, I started gigging way back in September 1978, and I have picked up a few things along the way.

Anyway I was recently having a conversation with a young lad who is more or less just starting out on the road and he asked me to offer him some advice.

I was a bit taken aback by this as I had never really had to offer anyone any suggestions before in this regard, and I don't ever remembering anyone giving me any pointers, either

To make a long story short we sat and chatted and I went over what worked best in my experience. Hopefully he'll do well as he gets stuck into the craic.

Anyway this gave me the idea for this thread.

We have many very experienced and knowledgeable performers on this forum who might be willing to pass on the benefit of their own understanding on the gigging front to members who are new, newish or just considering getting involved in the whole scene.

Here are a few of the things I said to the young lad but hopefully others will add a few words on what works for them also. Bare in mind some of what I said to him was said humorously

Always turn up in plenty of time for a new gig as arriving late you run the risk of appearing blasé.

Always have more gear than you possible need - people hear with their eyes!

Unless you have really nice teeth don’t smile too much at the audience.

Always say the audience has been great, even if they haven’t. This has a psychological effect on everyone, especially the boss as he/she will think this was the case.

If having a bad night; no-one is responding positively, no matter how hard you’re trying, etc, always behave as if you are really enjoying the gig anyway and are relishing every minute on stage. This will eventually rub off on the crowd. If it doesn’t change things at least you “enjoyed” yourself.

Before finishing try to remember to thank the boss. the staff and, of course, the audience for helping to make the night a memorable experience.

Always double-check your money at the end of the night in front of whoever paid you. This way they will remember not to try and short change you at any time in the future.

Don’t ever be in a hurry to leave the venue. Try to have time to have a chat with some of the audience before getting out of there!

[levi2]

the point you made about double checking your money when we get paid me m8 always says i`ll just give it a quick count just incase you gave us to much Also finish your sets off with the songs you do best because sometmes with an audience they only remember the last few songs as the saying goes your only as good as yer last one

[geraint]

Always start with a few songs that you know you do well, if you lose the audience at the start, its a major job to get them back.

[gibbo]

I once learnt a very valuable lesson that I've adopted as policy whenever I perform;
The audience (and staff) seldom notice/remember when you perform an unusually long set but they always notice/remember an unusually long break!
Always figure out appropriate set and break times and stick to them.

[guilty]

I agree with every point made in the above posts. One way to make your breaks seem shorter is to provide good break music so the punters can keep dancing and singing. If they're having fun then they won't notice if your break is a bit long. Stage presentation is important too...keep it neat and tidy. Tape leads down and black off all your messy bits. If you have a remote mic then get out amongst it all and let them sing a few lines here and there.....they love it and will love you for it. Also when tuning your guitar, do it muted....nobody wants to hear a guitar being tuned out loud.

[levi2]

hey gibbo very true never remember if youve done extra in sets but they always remind you if yer break is a bit to long

[ziggy]

With regard to the music played during the break, I usually find that it's better to not have it too loud, people use this time to talk, & when you start off you'll be louder & so grab their attention.

Another little point, that may depend on what type of set you do, & what you wear- I saw a boy/girl duo the other night, she looked the , biz all in black with a kind of sparkly top, he wore a nice black suit with a smart casual black top underneath..............
AND SCRUFFY SHOES THAT HAD NEVER SEEN POLISH. (Sorry for shouting, but that's how much it stood out, Lol).

[Tone_Deff (Musicmaker)]

Hi Guys,

Some excellent advice in the previous posts.

We 'giggers' are called, either 'Pro' or 'Semi Pro'.

Professionals don't wear ripped jeans and turn up unshaven or disheveled (in my book, anyway).

I may well be stuck in a 'time warp' after over 50 years on stage, and 'out of touch with reality' - but I get continuous work with my attitude, dress code, and of course - my music.

For the last 30 years (since I stopped weaing a suit, collar and tie to gigs), I have worn black (polished) shoes, socks, slacks, and shirt, and a black tie with either a clef or keyboard keys on it. I also wear a few 'Bling' rings!!!
My wife has always worn all black too, relieved only by her jewelry (she stopped wearing 'low cut' dresses a few years back as her assets started slipping downwards! - Only joking, dear!!!).

Regards

Tony

[shezza]

Hi Ya, another major point is,that it doesn't matter if there are
two hundred people at the gig or just ten (especially as the audience's seem to be getting smaller) Always give them the best you can, because you never know who may be in the audience IE a top agent etc.

[Emerald Midi]

Great stuff so far. Keep it up.

Here's one that came to me. Be wary when allowing others up to sing at one of your gigs (they might be better than you )

[ziggy]

Take the music seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously, it pays to have a sense of humour. On the other hand don't waffle on between songs, people can lose interest very quickly unless your a budding ROBIN Williams, as well as Robbie.

[sixstringbing]

Here,s another little pointer ,always find out who the bar /manager owner or charge hand is ask them to be your eyes and ears if its too loud ask them to make a subtle hand jesture or pass up a note as if its a request to let you know volume is ok, failing that keep an eye on the bar staff if you see them straining to hear orders check you vu meters or slightly bring your masters down,even if you turn back up again later they will have noticed and will see that your tryin to entertain not deafen the punters,you'll probably get positive or informative feedback as they will let you know how your doin. if ya get the big thumbs up your confidence will soar and so will your playin or singing if not you,ve made a friend or friends as you,ve gave them there place ,earned their respect and will be able to hopefully correct any sound problems or levels pretty quickly.remember subtle gestures ,cupping their hands over their ears wont look good to anyone LOL

[petrot]

This is all very useful stuff, which I'd have appreciated reading a good few years ago instead of learning it the hard way !!

I think the point made about the volume is very important. If you start off with the volume too high you risk losing some of the audience early on. You can then build the volume as the night goes on as people tend to notice it much less witha few drinks inside them.

[Emerald Midi]

Yes lads, the volume is half the battle when gigging.

I usually apply the aeroplane factor: Start gently and then take off!

Another thing, bit of banter can go down a treat. Sometime I say to the punters stuff like "The more you drink, the better I sound."

Mind you, I have at times had the response, "I'm almost drunk and it's not working!" ;D ;D

[petrot]

Good point about the banter, something I've always struggled with a bit. I find that it really depends on the audience and venue. Some places like you to talk to them, others prefer you just to 'get on with it'. Judging it comes with experience I guess.

Something else to bear in mind is not to try and judge an audience too much. I know there's many times where I've noticed someone in the audience who I've thought really wasn't enjoying it, only to have them come up to me a the end of the night to say what a great time they've had (mind you does that mean the ones who were smiling and clapping thought I was rubbish??!!!).

[Emerald Midi]

petrot said:

Something else to bear in mind is not to try and judge an audience too much. I know there's many times where I've noticed someone in the audience who I've thought really wasn't enjoying it, only to have them come up to me a the end of the night to say what a great time they've had (mind you does that mean the ones who were smiling and clapping thought I was rubbish??!!!).

Good advice

[shezza]

Sometimes when on my way home from gigs that I have just done in certain areas south of where live (thats all I'm going to say, don't want to upset anyone) I have often thought that if it had been my first gig I would be ditching all the songs that I perform and learning some different ones, or putting all my gear on Ebay.
Then the very next night, same songs different area the audience are so responsive it makes one feel like a star.
And when people come up at the end of the night to shake hands and say you have been the the best artist at that club for ages,That really is the best feeling, and the reason why we put our selfs through those pre-gig nerves. Incidentally back in the late 60s early 70s when all clubs/pubs could afford groups (yes groups,
not bands) and our agent phoned us with gigs for the area I am referring to, we got depressed back then knowing what the audience was going to be like.

[dingadong04]

I,ve been reading this thread with great intrest and i have to say i have ,nt laughed as much in ages every wee bit of advice has remined me of situations i,ve been in great memories have been flooding back i even been in touch with owl ( thats belfast for old ) band members frum years ago so thanks for the push , i can never remember anyone givin me advice ( Except shave yer trojan hairstyvle then let it grow ) but i remember a lot of singers ? musicans ? lol.. tellin me stories of their experiences and they ve proved invaluable ..its up ta yerself to take on board or not , others experiences cos we all have own ways of dealing with things ( heckler , good nites , bad nites.).. all these thing make this " job" so good ...the only thing that i will stand
by regards gigging ..if i,m not nervous & i,m not learning i,am stopping.. cos thats the day i think i know it all..and there is still so much to learn

[ironbaden]

Here's a few things that bug the hell out of me.....

1. Too much Time between songs..... its alright to have a little gib gab with the crowd but it is so professional to have a tight running order. a minute or 2 is along time to an audience.

2. Jumping around the set list..... no problem if your gonna do something out of order..... but standing there trying to figure out what to play drives me nuts.

3. Between song noodling..... Man we used to have a drummer that was constantly whacking his drums and tuning them between songs.... if you've got a problem that's one thing ...but give it a rest.

4. Try and stay sober..... your not as good as you think you are.

5. if your slated to go on at 10 pm unless the Boss say's other wise start at 10.

I'm sure I'll come up with more as i think about it.

[sixstringbing]

I agree with strict time keeping I know of two bands who lost resident bookings over not keeping to their times, the less you give management or chairmen to complain about the better and remember about judging the audience someone in their sixties was in their twenties in the sixties so you'd be surprised at what they'd like music wise