Playing Your First Live Show

Your days of playing the garage are finally over. It's time to step up your game and play your first gig out in public. But, if you're not prepared, you'll surely flop and the most memorable gig you'll ever play will be forever implanted into your memory. Here are a few tips for you to ensure that your first show goes smoothly and that you'll be ready to play more in the future.

Practice, Practice, Practice

If you haven't guessed already, the most important thing you can do to get ready for your first gig is to practice as much as possible. To make sure you're practicing efficiently, at least two or three weeks before the show, start playing through the setlist you're going to be doing live. Set up your songs in a way that you're comfortable transitioning between and play through them exactly as you would live. This means breaking the guitar circle you're used to forming and playing on a pretend stage. Try your best not to look at each other while playing and pretend it's the real thing. If you can play all of your song without glancing at your band mates' instruments, you're ready.

Show Up Early

Talk to the venue beforehand and see how soon before showtime you should show up. If you're the opening band, allow yourself at least two hours before showtime to get everything on stage and setup so that you can go on right on time. Any delays you have will only delay other bands from playing, thus reduce the amount of time they have for their set. Get your bandmates together and make sure everyone knows where to be and when with all of their gear.

Bring Extra Gear

It's common knowledge that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong in a live environment. That amp that you've been using for years without fault will probably fail and your instrument cables will crackle more than they ever have. Before the show, get your band together and get backups for everything you own. Obviously you can't buy extra amps, but getting extra picks, cables, and having another guitar as a backup live will help you avoid problems as your precious gear fails ten minutes before the show.

Pre Show Ritual

Every band has a pre-show ritual that they take part in. Whether it's chewing some gum or smoking a cigarette to calm your nerves, you have to do something to take your mind off of the performance at least ten or fifteen minutes before you go on. Nerves will probably be overwhelming for your first show and if you can just relax before taking to the stage, you'll be all the better.

Have Fun

Obviously, your job as a performer is to make the audience feel engaged. If you're having fun on stage, by making eye contact with fans and your band mates, the audience will feel at ease. If you dance around, they'll feel more comfortable to just let go and have fun too. Stand still and mumble into the microphone, people will get the wrong impression and will stand around for your set. Remember, there will be plenty more shows after your first one, but nailing your first will give you the confidence to keep going with your musical career.