RepertoThe no-drama gig bag checklist
Most stage panic has nothing to do with music and everything to do with a dead 9V battery or a snapped G string ten minutes before downbeat. Keep a dedicated pouch permanently packed in your case:
| Category | Essentials | Small Lifesavers |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument | Full spare string set + extra high E and G strings | String winder/cutter, spare capo, 4–5 picks |
| Cables & Power | Spare instrument cable, pedal power supply | Fresh 9V battery, multi-plug extension, USB charger |
| Charts & Stand | Fully charged tablet or phone + sturdy stand mount | Setlist synced offline, dark mode enabled |
| Stage Comfort | Musician earplugs, water bottle | Gaffer tape, small hand towel |
How to nail a 15-minute soundcheck
Soundcheck is not band rehearsal — its sole job is giving the engineer clean gain levels and giving the band a clear monitor mix. Four habits make every sound engineer love working with you:
- Stay silent when another channel is being checked: Noodling on guitar while drums or vocals are being dialled in slows down the whole room.
- Play and sing at true gig intensity: Checking timidly and hitting twice as hard on song one clips preamps and ruins monitor balances.
- Ask for specific monitor adjustments: Instead of asking for "more of everything" (which invites feedback), ask clearly: "Could I get a touch more lead vocal and kick in wedge two, and slightly less electric guitar?"
- Run sixty seconds of one loud song and one quiet song together: That confirms balances across your full dynamic range.
Keeping dead air between songs under five seconds
Nothing kills crowd momentum faster than thirty seconds of bandmates whispering "What’s next? What key?" after every applause. Having every member’s screen follow the bandleader automatically — with medley transitions marked ahead of time — keeps the room locked in.
Frequently asked questions
What if the basement venue has zero Wi-Fi or mobile signal?
As long as your repertoire app stores songs locally on your device, offline venues pose no issue at all. Open your setlist once before leaving home so any last-minute edits are cached.
Phone vs tablet on a mic stand — does screen size matter?
Both work well on stage when mounted securely near eye level with dark mode, large font sizing and auto-scroll adjusted to the song.