Written By: Anthony Marquez (@temeculanightlife)
As an audio engineer, I bounce between working for touring acts and local music artists. After more than a decade of live shows, I know a thing or two about what can make or break an artists chances of getting invited back to venues (or getting recommended anywhere else). Here are some things you can do right now to really elevate your band as a business and truly get invited back to more venues. I spent some time on Canva making these 5 tips look cool, but they come from a place of real love for live local music! There’s a band out there at some local show tonight that can use this advice, this is for you!
Tip #1: Have an Advance
Have a document ready to go with all of your necessary inputs, stage plots, and any important production notes and send it to the venue as soon as you book the show. This is a simple thing you can do that can make a show run smoothly on the day and create a great first impression with the venue. Every serious touring act sends an advance, below is a link to a great free tool you can use to make your own advance!
Free Advance Tool: stagediver.app
Tip #2: Bring Enough Power
Most pro venues have everything you need, but if you’re not selling 100+ tickets a night, that’s not always true. If your guitar amps, pedalboards, keyboards, drum pads, racks, or any other gear needs power, plan for it! Bring all the extension cords and power strips you need so you aren’t scrambling for outlets when you arrive. You probably have everything at home already – this is a small thing that will prevent many headaches.
Tip #3: Work with the Engineer
Audio engineers are not your enemy! If the engineer asks you to turn down your stage volume or play your drums quieter, it’s not to shut you up or make you sound bad… it’s to make the entire room sound good. Each venue is different, and sometimes the stage volume needs to come down so the vocals and other instruments can be heard with clarity.
Tip #4: Learn to Play to the Room
Dynamics are a huge part of live music. A 150-cap bar doesn’t need the same intensity as a festival gig. If your drummer and amps can adjust to the room, the engineer and you have a much better chance at making the whole band sound great. Learning to play quieter isn’t a compromise, it’s part of being a good live band.
Tip #5: Got your own mic? Soundcheck it or leave it in the bag.
If you’re bringing your own wireless microphone, let the engineer know before soundcheck. Not five minutes before you walk on stage. A good engineer will have already tuned the monitors with a different microphone. A wireless mic that hasn’t been tuned is a perfect recipe for lost, muddy vocals and a feedback festival – especially when you’re walking around different places on stage and in front of the PA. Your microphone works fine with the system, as long as you ring it out in the monitors before the show.
My name is Anthony, I am an audio engineer passionate about live music. If you benefit from this, give my small A/V business a follow!
Instagram: @temeculanightlife
Website: temecula-nightlife.com
