Outdoor Gigs: 5 Mistakes Guitarists Should Avoid
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Outdoor gigs can be so rewarding and fun for guitarists. However, failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Let’s see how to successfully play outside.
Guide to Outdoor Gigs
Key Information About Outdoor Gigs:
- Outdoor gigs bring new challenges to your guitar playing compared to regular performances. Extra considerations must be made.
- Playing outside increases the damage risk to you and your gear, so it’s important that everything is looked after appropriately.
- Not everyone at live events wants to hear live music; be cautious around audience participation. Interact where appropriate.
Loading Your Gear
Before anything else, we need to think about how your gear is loaded. A lot of my gigs are over an hour away, and I don’t want anything damaging in transit. Therefore, how you load the car/van is vital.
When I’m not writing about guitars, I’m writing about cars. So, I regularly have different cars to drive, from tiny electric hatchbacks such as a Renault 5, to huge 3-tonne SUVs like the Toyota Land Cruiser. Regardless, I still consider how I pack my gear.
Overall, have heavy stuff at the bottom of your storage area, and lighter equipment such as cables on top. Personally, I have the PA speakers, amplifier and any guitar hardcases at the bottom. Anything else should be placed in such a way that it won’t break or rattle all the way to your venue. Furthermore, I like to use a sheet or rag to prevent any plastic or metal from vibrating against each other.
Instrument Care
So, you’ve made it to the venue with your guitar and PA still in one piece! Now it’s time to look at how to look after your instrument at outdoor gigs.
Whilst I’m setting up the rest of the gear, I’ll take my guitar out of its case and allow it to adjust to the new climate. Overall, this helps the guitar to stay in tune during my sets.
Moreover, I always bring guitar care products and extra cleaning cloths with me. Why? Because I have played outdoor gigs in the rain, as well as blistering sun. Both rain and perspiration will ruin the finish on your guitar if left to fester. Therefore, after each set or gig, give your guitar a good clean across any contact points to ensure that components don’t go rusty or fatigue.
Personal Care
As a guitarist, it’s very easy to focus all of your attention on your axe and not yourself. At any gig, there’s a lot of standing around doing nothing, so you need to make sure that you’re in a state to perform.
During the colder months, ensure that you have sufficient warm clothing, even going as far as fingerless gloves if required! I’ve even played an outdoor gig in waterproof boots before.
However, during the summer months, I always make sure that I have sun protection on, sunglasses and a hat if required. Sets typically last between 45 minutes and an hour, so you can be under constant UV exposure. Fluids and sun protection are a must.
PA Protection
What about the PA system? How can we look after that? After all, no PA, no music at all.
You’ll want to get hold of two or three large waterproof sheets that are suitable for outdoor use. A lot of my outdoor gigs are in fields, which are wet. To prevent water damage to speakers, either use *stands or place one of those waterproof sheets underneath the speakers.
Plus, you can use one of those sheets to shield the mixing desk and power cables from rain or other weather exposure. It seems silly, but keep everything dry! The last thing you want is your PA system to get damaged or become an electrical hazard.
Power starvation is also a real issue if you’re not using mains electricity. Petrol or diesel generators don’t always provide sufficient power for most systems.
Audience Interaction
Concluding our look at tips and tricks for outdoor gigs, I’d like to discuss the whole idea of audience participation. It’s a tricky game to win.
I love big outdoor gigs. Compared to an intimate pub or gin bar-style venue, you can just relax and play your set. Most of the time, outdoor gigs provide music to accompany another event, unless you’re playing a music festival.
As a result, people are listening to you, but not watching or interacting. No need for clever or complicated links between songs, you can do what you do best and just play your set. It’s important to introduce your act and what you’ll be doing and for how long. Plus, it’s important to show appreciation after any applause.
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