Final Checks

A couple of days before your show make sure that you check with everybody that they are still OK for the gig. Phone the venue, the bands, the PA and security if necessary and make sure that all arrangements are still fine and that there are no problems. Confirm all times and information with everybody again just in case there may have been a mix up.
     Performing these checks will give you a bit of time to fix any problems (if there are any) and will give you peace of mind in the couple of days running up to the gig. Once you have done this you are almost ready for the gig.

On the Day

You should endeavour to be at the venue before anybody else arrives. This is to be sure that you will be on hand to deal with any questions or problems which may arise. Make sure that you have a list of contact details for everyone involved i.e. PA, bands etc. so that if you need to get in touch with anybody you have their details close to hand. Hopefully you shouldn’t have too much to do and everything will run smoothly.

If there are a number of bands sound-checking make sure that everybody knows when they are required and that everything runs on time. It is a good idea to have at least half an hour between your last sound-check and opening the doors. This gives the crew and the bands time to relax before the start of the gig. Make up a few copies of the stage times for the bands and distribute them to everybody who needs them perhaps even sticking a couple up around the venue so that the crowd know who is on when

If you have to be on the door make sure that you have a float for giving change to people and also that they are aware of the number of people in the venue. Every venue has an official capacity, this is the max number of people than can be safely allowed in. If this number is exceeded and you have a problem i.e. someone is hurt or there is a fire and people have problems leaving the building you could be held responsible. If in doubt about the capacity, the people in charge of the venue will be able to tell you.

One way of keeping track of the number of people and if they have paid is to stamp everybody’s hand when they come in the door and note each entry on a sheet of paper. This means that they can leave the venue and come back and you will know not to charge them and know not to add them to you to your people count again.

Remember to keep an eye on the bands and make sure that everything is running on time. If things are behind schedule you may have to ask the bands to perform shorter sets so that the gig will be finished in time for the curfew. This should be avoided as it tends to upset a lot of bands.

Having taken care of all of the above now is the time to sit back and enjoy the gig. If you are going to be playing with your band then all the hard work you have put in over the past few weeks is finally going to pay off.

End of the night

You have made it!!! Hopefully everything went to plan and you enjoyed your gig. There are just a few more things to take care of before you can switch off.

• If there are people to be paid get all the money together and make payment. Most bands, PA companies etc. expect payment on the night so make sure you have it ready. Remember and get receipts from everybody you pay. Even if it is just their signature on a bit of paper it is a good thing to have. Keep these somewhere safe in case you ever need to produce them.
• Make sure that if anybody is leaving gear in the venue that this is OK. If everybody is packing up and loading out on the night make a final check yourself once everybody is finished and make sure that there is nothing left behind.
• Make sure that you haven’t left any unnecessary mess for the venue to clean up and help out if there is anything to be done.
• If you received a float from the venue make sure that you return it to them and sort out any hiring costs with them at this time.

That’s it. Having sorted out everything at the end of the gig it is all over. If things went well then all of your hard work will have seemed more than worth it. If not, don’t be put off. It sometimes takes time to establish an attendance at gigs but perseverance will pay off so stick at it.

This month’s profiled industry contact is Robert Hicks of Beyond promotions. Click here to read our recent interview with one of the area’s busiest promoters.

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