Being a member of a band can be a very rewarding experience for people of any age. It offers the opportunity to express yourself artistically and display your skills while entertaining others through live performances. But if you’ve never played a live show before, it can be challenging to get your group ready for the experience. Here are five helpful tips for how to prepare for your band’s first concert.
Don’t Rush In
One of the worst things a band can do is start playing live shows before they are ready. Before ever thinking of taking the stage, be sure you practice enough to make it comfortably through a set. You will make mistakes on stage that you will need to play through, but you should still do your best to minimize them. Try playing sets for friends and family to iron out any wrinkles and to solicit honest feedback.
Defined Expectations
When booking your band, be sure to clearly define the expectations of the promoter or the venue for your performance. For example, if the venue books your band but only one member shows up with an acoustic guitar, there will be trouble. Band members should all be on the same page for the show, including the setlist. By establishing expectations with everybody before the show, your performance is the only thing left to worry about.
Arrive Early
On the day of the show, it’s important to arrive early at the venue. One reason for this is to familiarize yourself with the surroundings, including the stage. Another reason for arriving early is to ensure your group has the opportunity to complete a soundcheck. This is especially important for bands that bring their own amps and PA equipment to make sure everything is compatible with the in-house sound system.
Extra Equipment
Another helpful tip for how to prepare for your band’s first concert is to bring extra equipment and supplies to the gig. You never know when a string will snap or a drum stick will slip from your grasp. It’s also important to have each of the different types of guitars your band needs to play their songs. Have everything easily accessible to prevent a hold-up in your performance.
Record and Evaluate
The last thing every band should do for their first performances is to record the shows. This allows the band members to look back at what went well and what has room for improvement after the show is over. If possible, use better equipment to record than your smartphone. Try to focus a camera on each member whenever possible to make it easier to spot problems.
