Backstage Pass - Playing Live

Playing Live

The following notes are from the Tai Poutini Polytechnic Contemporary Music Files

CHECKLIST

Venue
Equipment
Soundcheck
Lighting
Backdrop
Set List
Costumes
Performance.

Planning your gig will make a huge difference to your sound and set up.

The Stage Plan

The first step in a successful performance set up is to decide on the placement of the equipment, access ways and performance area. These principles remain the same at all levels of performance, although in concert situations many decisons will be made by the production company rather than the band.

Even before beginning to load the equipment into the venue, time should be taken to create a stage plan. For simple set ups this could be done in your head, but for any serious performance pen and paper is the best way.

The stage plan should begin with checking the power supply to see where the power cables will run, and care should be taken not to cover up light switches or other controls needed by the venue operator.

After the power supply has been located (and preferably checked by a safety indicator plug), decide on the placement of the large items; - amplifiers, speaker cabinets, drum set etc.

Next, decide on the cable runs. All mic leads should run in the same direction and wherever possible be kept separate from speaker or power cables. Most importantly, an access way onto the stage should kept free of all cables.

The Load In

When bringing the Equipment into the venue there are two simple rules:

1. Do not block access ways by placing a road case in a doorway or in the last remaining gap in front of the stage as this will slow down everyones work and may cause an accident.

2. Do not take cases onto the stage. Leave your cases offstage and carry your instrument up.

When bringing heavy equipment into the venue, take it to the furthest point first, e.g. with PA speakers, carry the far side across first, so that the second trip is easier. If the large heavy equipment does not need unpacking from cases, try to place them correctly as you bring them in. If this is not possible do not place them on the stage, but directly in front of where they will be required, leaving an access way of course.

The Set Up

Place all backline equipment onstage before running cables and setting up microphones. The drums, amps and speakers should be set up first, and the power cables run to all the equipment. Test briefly, but do not sound check the PA and backline amps before running the mic cables. This allows you to check the speaker leads without getting tangled in other cables. Set up mic stands after all the other equipment is on the stage and run the mic leads LAST.

Gaffa Tape

All lead runs in areas where people are moving should be taped down, as should FX pedals etc. Always remove gaffa before rolling up leads, and NEVER leave a stage covered in bits of tape. Clean up after yourself.

Remember not to leave open vehicles and equipment in the carpark as people will steal it!

Where do I Set Up?

If you are working a typical small pub or club, placing your amplifier will be a compromise between hearing yourself and the sound out front. Remember that you do not have ears in your knees, so either raise your amp up on a chair or roadcase, or tilt it back so it faces up to your ears. Many people ruin their own sounds by changing tones to suit themselves, rather than checking what the audience is hearing , so avoid standing too close if you can help it.

In a large concert or “miked up” situation, it may be better to place guitar amps on the side of stage facing inwards so that the stage sound is not blasting out into the crowd. This gives the band a better idea of the sounds, and allows the sound crew more control of the mix.

As the Rhythm section is supposed to be a team, the bass player should stand on the hi-hat side of the drum kit. This is the direction in which the drummer will tend to be looking, which will make eye contact easier.

The Sound Check

When everyone has finished setting up, take turns at sound checking. Do the PA system and vocal mics first, including the foldback system if there is one, as this is the most critical and deserves the most time. Once this is ready, each player should take one to two minutes to check their individual sounds. It is each musicians responsibility to have their sounds organised and prepared in advance so there should be no need for lots of “knob twiddling”

After each musician has checked his or her own sounds, everybody can take the stage for a band sound check. It is often a good idea for the bass player and drummer to play part of a song first to allow a rhythm section balance to be done, then the guitars and keyboards can match their volume to the rhythm section.

Always remember that high volume is the ruin of many gigs, and most venue operators and members of the audience simply don’t want the music loud.

“He who pays the piper, calls the tune.”

The Pack Down

The secret to a successful pack down is to do it nearly in the reverse order to the set up. Take down the mics first, as these can get knocked over and damaged. Make sure that the guitarists have taken their instruments off stage for the same reason. Once the mics (and clips) have been put away, wind up the mic leads and speaker leads. DO NOT start packing down drums or moving speaker cabinets until ALL the leads have been put away. Never bring instrument cases on to the stage.

In a concert situation allow the stage crew to move the mics away from your equipment before you pack it down. Remember they may have another act coming on after you, so be quick and efficient.

Jobs involving this kind of work in the music industry are:

Band Member
Band Manager
Roadie
Audio Engineer

Speed is the essence at the end of any gig, as the venue operator has a home to go to. Even if you are staying overnight at a venue, it is always faster to pack down on the night, even if you don’t load out.

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