[njw]

Ok ok, so I may seem 'elitist' or 'snobby' or whatever you wish to call it, but I feel this is important. Feel free to argue but I feel reading this should be a good starting point for any band or musician just starting out, and perhaps some more 'experienced' musicians could take some notes too.

Lets start right at the start

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PLAYING A GIG - STEP BY STEP.

STEP ONE - PREPARE
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This step is one of the most important, and will ensure you have no problems later on. Aside from the obvious, where you should be prepared AS a band (do this in rehearsal), you can prepare yourself by making sure all of your gear is running smoothly. Check your instrument, check your cables, check your amps, make sure you have working spares.

STEP TWO - COMMON COURTESY
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Now you have left your house with all your gear, and you know it is all working. Now ARRIVE ON TIME. If you agree a time with a promoter, be there at that time. If you are late, prepare to make sacrifices, and work as fast as you can to make up for lost time. If you are going to be late, contact the promoter to let them know. When you arrive, load in as fast as you can and be ready to do whatever is needed of you. Elect a representative for your band and ensure they speak to the promoter and find out what is happening during the course of the night.

STEP THREE - GEAR
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BRING YOUR OWN GEAR. If you are missing a piece of gear, ask yourself why. "If I am a bass player, why do I not have a bass amp?". If you are going to show up without gear contact the other bands or promoter WELL IN ADVANCE of the show and ask what is acceptable to use. Dont EVER show up and assume its ok to use other people's gear, and if you need to and havent checked in advance, ask the owner of the equipment if you can use it. Week after week I find people playing with my band and plugging into my equipment without first asking if its OK, and without bringing their own. Some people put every penny they have available in their lives into buying their equipment, don't ruin this for them. If they pay for something nice, what gives you the right to abuse it or take advantage of it?

Ok, so now you have politely asked to borrow something, if the answer is yes, TREAT IT WITH RESPECT. If you want to change settings or use effects or whatnot, ask for help from the person who owns the equipment, even if you know how to use it. This way, the guy who owns the amp will feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they are in control of their own stuff.

STEP FOUR - SOUND CHECK
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I tell you this part as both a musician, an engineer, and an onlooker. Soundcheck is VERY important, and it is very important you do what is needed of you, for your own benefit.

Turning up ten minutes before the gig starts will mean you do not deserve a soundcheck. If you are late, you have to sacrifice this. If you are on time, do everything as instructed, then you can argue your cause for a soundcheck if you arent given one.

SOUNDCHECK is NOT a reheasal. When the engineer asks for drums, he wants to hear drums. Not Drums, with some guitar widdling over it, and the bass player playing along. The same applies to every instrument. Be prepared for soundcheck. Know which songs are most effective for soundchecking, perhaps songs where the most vocals are used, the widest variety of guitar sounds, etc. so that the engineer can get everything sounding as good as possible.

After your soundcheck, clear up and move out as fast as possible so that the next band can get their stuff set up. Typically, the headline band will soundcheck first, going through the lineup so the first band on the night will soundcheck last, and leave their gear setup.

STEP FIVE - PLAYING THE SHOW
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Ok. This step is entirely yours. You do as you wish. This is your "artistic" time. However, remember to respect the equipment, especially when its not yours, and remember to respect the other bands. Don't take the piss out of other bands on stage 'for a laugh', noone will be impressed. Also, when your time is up, stop playing. Running over your time will upset the promoter, the other bands and the venue. When you stop playing, leave the stage tidy and usable for the next band on.

STEP 6 - AFTER THE SHOW
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Tidy up fast when the gig is finished. Get your stuff packed up and put aside ready to load out. If you want to stand and chat, do it now AFTER you have tidied your stuff away. When the venue wants you to leave, leave. Remember to be polite to other bands and the promoter. Thank anyone who has helped you out in the course of the night. Don't act like fannies, noone will like you, and noone will help you load out.

I think that's about it, if anyone has anything to add, then please do.