Get All Your Equipment in Order
Before you even consider booking a gig, you need to make sure your equipment is capable of surviving a live performance. Instruments, microphones, and amplifiers all need to be in working order. Save up some money to have anything that’s out of commission professionally repaired. If there’s an essential piece of equipment that you’re missing, hold off on booking a gig until you’ve compiled the money to buy it. Account for all the smaller items as well, from guitar picks to mic stands. Your gig will only be a success if you’ve got the necessary hardware to handle it.
Visit the Future Venue
On the day of the gig, you want to be as comfortable as possible. The best way to set yourself up for success by taking a tour of the venue ahead of time. That way, you’ll know what to expect on the big day and you’ll feel at ease in your surroundings. You’ll also find out whether you need to bring your own portable stage to the gig.
Set Aside an Outfit
On the day of the gig, you should be directing all your energy toward the performance. You can make it easier to focus by taking care of other variables ahead of time. Some image-conscious performers get so caught up on choosing the outfit for their gigs that they forget to visualize the performance altogether. You can eliminate this potential issue by setting aside your clothes weeks in advance.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Rehearsing with your band is the single most important thing to do before your gig. If you fail to practice as much as you should, it will become obvious at the worst possible moment: when you’re up on stage.
Booking your first gig is often as nerve wracking as it is exciting. If you prepare properly, however, then you have nothing to worry about. Take the steps mentioned above, then go out there and break a leg.