Tips for Your First Live Performance - Know When You’re Up the Day of the Gig

This column is based on various experiences that I, Gendayuu, have had in the past. For those who are planning to play live for the first time, I hope you will find this article useful.

Know the order on the day of the live performance

Even if you have made various preparations for your first live performance, you will not know the order and etiquette of the day until you’re there. You may not know what to do when you first enter the restaurant and you may feel a sense of being away from home as you’re having casual conversation with regular performers and the master, or you may be bored and start playing with your phone... You may feel somewhat awkward, nervous, and anxious. But don't worry! To alleviate some of these feelings, I would like to talk about the flow of the day of the concert.

Always confirm the arrival time of the venue on the day of the concert in advance

First, as the day of the concert draws near, the venue will contact you about your arrival time on the day of the concert, the performance time, and information about co-hosts, etc. When you get the message or email, immediately reply with an acknowledgement email. If you don't reply, the venue may be left wondering, “Did they get the message? Will they show up?” If you do not reply, you may get a follow-up email asking “Did they get the previous message?” The arrival time at the venue is calculated backwards to allow the performers to rehearse in order, so do not be late. If you are unavoidably late due to train delays, etc., call the office as soon as possible.

Also, with Covid, there may be times when you have to cancel your appearance due to sudden illness. This will leave a hole in your slot and cause inconvenience to the restaurant, so contact the restaurant promptly. Of course, don't forget to apologize. Cancellation policies vary from store to store, so please follow the venue’s instructions. Depending on the time of cancellation, most stores may charge you the same quota as when you perform, but it is a good idea to check this in advance. However, please keep in mind that taking care of your physical condition is one of the preparations for a live performance.

When you actually enter the venue at your time, greet the master and staff. There will also be some of your co-stars, so introduce yourself. However, there is often an atmosphere of indescribable awkwardness. But don't worry about it. It often happens because in addition to the fact that we are both meeting for the first time, there are quite a few musicians who are shy or come across as disinterested. There may be cases of rivalry (⁉︎) burning in the air. The unique atmosphere of meeting and rehearsing, which is different from the actual performance, is one of the best parts of a live concert, and after seeing each other on stage, you will often feel closer than you did during rehearsals (this may also be due to the power of music).

What is a reverse rehearsal before the show?

Each performer who arrives at the venue is given a rehearsal time (usually about 15 minutes). The rehearsal is led by a sound staff member (often also the master), who adjusts the volume and balance of microphones and instruments according to his/her instructions. Some venues ask you to fill in the required information (order of songs, instruments used, name of song, etc.) on the designated setup sheet in advance and submit it on the day of the rehearsal.

Rehearsals are usually held in the reverse order of the order of performance, starting with the last performer of the day. This is commonly known as “reverse rehearsal. By doing this, when the entire rehearsal is over, the set-up for the top performer is complete...and so on. If this is your first time performing, you will often be the top-butler, so you will probably be the last to rehearse. Watching and learning from the rehearsals of other performers and preparing yourself will help alleviate some of the nervousness. Incidentally, it is also important to use this time to tune up your instrument and prepare your lyric cards. When you are called to rehearsal, be ready to go out on stage right away with what you need.

When it’s your turn to rehearse, go to the place where it is set up, check the position of the microphone, chairs, etc., and start making sounds. A staff member will call out to you for a sound check and ask, “Okay, guitar sound, please!” and you will sing or play accordingly. Since time is limited, it’s better to sing only two or three songs with a chorus and choose different styles of songs so the staff can find the balance and volume of the sound.

By the way, there may be times when it is difficult to hear your own sound reaching you on stage.... If this is the case, do not hesitate to ask for help. Also, of course, the purpose of this rehearsal is to adjust the sound for the performance, so be careful not to sing or play lazily as if it were your last practice. Also, although this is natural, be very careful about unplugging and plugging in shields. Depending on the condition of the mixer at the venue, you may damage the sound equipment. When you are unplugging and plugging in a mixer yourself, it is best to ask a staff member if you can do it yourself.

How to spend time after the reverse rehearsal to the concert opening

After the reverse rehearsal is over, there is free time until the concert venue opens, and it is up to the performers how they spend their time. Some people stay inside, while others go out. I, too, went to karaoke by myself to get my voice warmed up. I went to the cafe to do a final check of lyrics and arrangements, and I talked with the master when he’s not too busy preparing for the opening. Incidentally, the venue will often hold your guitar case and your other things for you, so please ask the staff.

When the venue's opening time approaches, go back to the venue. Most venues open 30 minutes before the show time, and customers arrive one after another. If you are the first one to open, the people you have invited will probably enter the venue at this time, and it can be quite sobering. But try to be as calm as possible and show them the payment counter and seats (...since you are also nervous before the show and you will be soaring). You yourself will be one of the audience members when it is the other co-hosts' turn, so be sure to reserve a seat for yourself as well. However, the audience is the main priority, so it may be smarter to stay in the back of the room.

From the start of the show to the end of the show

When it’s time for the show to begin, the live performance will finally start. If you are at the top of the list, you will go directly to the stage since the set-up is completed at the end of rehearsal. Basically, there is no emcee or facilitator, so when the time comes, the staff will fade out the background music in the restaurant, change the lighting, and so on to create an atmosphere to start, and when the music goes silent, the show will begin in earnest. You are, of course, free to start with a greeting or suddenly start playing.

And, when the show is over without incident, a rush will begin to set up for the next person on stage, so be quick to return to the audience with your instruments and other personal belongings. By the way, it is rare to find people who leave the stage after their turn without watching their co-stars' performances or go out for drinks with their friends who came to see the performance. A long time ago, there were some musicians who dared to do this because they were rivals aiming to become professionals, and while I can understand their feelings, I think it is important to learn and be stimulated by watching your co-stars on stage.

Soaking up the afterglow after a live performance

After all the performances are over, depending on the venue, the show often goes straight to bar time. You can stay and enjoy drinks, have a drink with those who came, or go home while soaking up the afterglow of the live show. In most cases, both performers and customers will be in a relaxed atmosphere after the concert, so you can share your impressions of the concert, exchange information, and get to know each other better, and it can be a fun time, depending on you. However, be sure not to forget to pay the restaurant the promised settlement (shortfall according to the quota of customers, your own food and beverage expenses, chargebacks, etc.).

And if the restaurant asks you, “When are you going to perform again?” That is a sure sign of recognition from the store. However, just because you did not receive an invitation does not mean that you were not invited, so if you want to perform a second time, please be proactive and ask the venue for the next booking date. (If the direction of your activities and the store's direction do not match, the venue will clearly say, “We are not interested in working with you in the future...”)

In any case, the day of the live concert is a special day. You may have a lot to reflect on, but I hope you will go home with a happy feeling. I hope your memorable first live performance as a guitarist will be a wonderful time.

For acoustic guitar players, a case that can be carried on both shoulders like a backpack is by far the most convenient way to carry your guitar to the venue on the day of the concert. Having a lot of storage pockets is also an important factor in choosing a case, as there will be a lot of things to carry, such as shields, lyrics files, and so on.

PLAYTECH / AG-Bag Black Gig Bag for Acoustic Guitar

Also recommended

⇒ Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag List

⇒ Clip Tuners List

⇒ Instrument Cables List

⇒ PLAYTECH / MS05 Music Stand

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