7 Ways to Prep for Gigging Season

Due to the global pandemic, it’s been over a year
since many musicians have even had the opportunity to perform in front of a
live audience. As more and more people are vaccinated and restrictions ease on
public gatherings, now is the time to start planning ahead for the gigs we’ll
eventually be returning to. Here are seven things you can start doing right now
to be ready to perform when the time is right.

1. Make or Update Your Electronic
Press Kit

The best way to represent yourself or your band to
potential performance venues and media outlets is with an electronic press kit
(EPK). Your EPK should include documents, photographs, and audio/video
recordings that make it clear who you are, what you sound like, and how to
reach you — that last one is especially important. Putting together a simple
EPK means you’ll be ready to market yourself to any booking agent or music
journalist.

It’s sad but true that many bands still rely on
sending a rough demo recording, or just a link to their outdated Facebook page,
and hope that’s all they need for consideration. Instead, spend a short amount
of time putting together an EPK that you can send via email at a moment’s
notice, and you’ll elevate your band’s image when asking for a gig.

You’re unlikely to get the gigs you want if you don’t market yourself — check out our “Disc Makers Guide to Marketing for Musicians” to learn more.

2. Invest in Your Own PA System

Outside of dedicated music venues and bars, there
are all kinds of events that want a band to provide live music, from car shows
and fundraisers to private parties and corporate events. And do you know who
usually gets those gigs? Bands that have their own PA system! By investing in a
basic sound system with main speakers, monitors, and a mixing console, you’re
ready to play in practically any location from the local Legion hall to
backyard events. Even if the majority of your regular gigs are in a venue with
an existing PA, having your own gear will greatly expand your gigging options
and showcase your talent better since a dedicated system that you built
yourself will likely sound better than whatever old PA that happens to be in
the venue.

Learn more with our guide, “How to Build a PA System.”

3. Practice

If you’ve been maintaining your chops and are ready
to confidently perform a full set at a moment’s notice, then congratulations!
If not, then now’s the time to get into peak performance condition, and that
includes lots of practice. If you haven’t yet made it a habit to record your
practice sessions, now’s the time to start — even just a basic recording with
your smartphone is adequate for reviewing how you sound and what you need to
work on. If you plan on gigging in the coming months, then the time to break
out your charts and metronome is right now.

Even if the time is not yet right for in-person band rehearsals, you still have options for collaborating remotely until things open up enough for rehearsals and performances. Learn more in our article, “How to Collaborate Remotely with Musicians.”

Learn more in Upgrade Your Social Media Presence

4. Get Back into Social Media

Now is a good time to update your social media
presence and re-engage with your audience, as well. But, instead of just asking
for follows, get your fans excited about the prospect of seeing you perform
again. Post that you’re looking for upcoming gigs, and ask people to share your
post with their favorite venues. Even better, ask your audience where they
would like to see you gig next — then follow up with that venue to let them
know you’re ready to perform when the time is right.

Learn more in Sweetwater’s guide on how to upgrade your social media presence.

5. Set Up Your Guitar or Bass

If your gigging instrument isn’t in top performance
condition, then now is the time to fix that. And, if you haven’t yet learned
how to perform common maintenance tasks, this is the perfect time to do so.
Check out Sweetwater’s guides to basic setup tasks like adjusting your truss rod, setting string action, and fine-tuning your intonation to
learn how easy it is to optimize your favorite instrument for performance.

6. Maintain All the Other Gear You Use,
Not Just Instruments

Just like it’s important to clean your guitar’s
fretboard from time to time, it’s just as important that the rest of your
nonmusical gear is in good shape. Now is a good time to restock on gaffer tape,
magic markers, and pens. Clean out your equipment trailer (or the trunk of your
car) so that you’re ready when it’s finally time to load up. Make sure all your
cables are in good condition. Replace that heavy flashlight in your equipment
bag with a convenient headlamp. Make sure your favorite stage outfit still
fits. Order some merch like stickers and T-shirts so you have them ready to
sell when gigs finally open up. Basically, consider all the nonmusical things
you rely on for your gigs and make sure they’re ready to rock.

7. Start Networking

If you haven’t kept in touch with venues you’ve performed at in the past — or would like to perform at — then now is the time to reach out to them. There’s no need to feel sheepish when cold-calling a venue, asking them if they’re starting to plan for live music yet, and telling them you’re ready and eager to perform. Assuming you followed our advice and have updated your EPK, send it to them even if they’re not ready to book bands just yet. Bands that network and ask for gigs get more gigs than bands that don’t ask for them — it’s as simple as that. For more on that, check out our article, “Tips for Landing More Gigs.”

Be Prepared

Even if your last gig seems like a distant memory at this point, have no doubt that live music will return. And, when the gigs start opening up, the bands that are ready and proactive will get those gigs. By following our tips and thinking ahead, you’ll be ahead of the other bands that are waiting for the gigs to come to them. Many of us here at Sweetwater are eagerly anticipating that day or night that we finally get to perform again, and that time will be here soon. And, if preparing for gig season means improving your gear or replacing older gear, then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 and let us know how we can help you be ready to rock.

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