13 Mistakes to Avoid When Playing LIVE!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

LOTS of amazing advice in the comments! Thanks so much to everyone for sharing your tips!

[@house-o-twang]

Love your thoroughness. Thank you.

[@KirkTVOfficial]

Oh my god dude you are the funniest guy on the web

[@pablojara-music]

Excelent video. I don't have an especifico advice but I think you should do a video about how to behave in a concert, like you do how to behave as a band, now as the audience It may seem pretty obvious but look at what happened with Evanesence a while ago that they born their instruments I think is a good idea

[@KirkTVOfficial]

@Nitin Babu I think he has made videos like that already bro

[@SOHCGT96]

I'm sure there is going to be some butthurt, but this is solid advice a lot of younger guys really need to hear. I'm coming up on 40, been going to local shows since I was a teenager, played in bands ever since then and have just recently started running lights and sound since I own the gear to do it. Guys, us older dudes (usually) aren't just trying to be self-righteous know-it-alls, we've just learned stuff from experience and you can get ahead of the curve by learning from ours. Don't forget, the sound guy isn't a magician. Garbage in equals garbage out. I can't magically EQ and gate talent into your performance, and I can only do so much to make a horribly dialed in amp or poorly tuned drum set sound good. Final thought: respect your set times. When the promoter says 1 song left, you've got one song left. When the bar tells you we have a noise complaint and the cops are coming, STFU immediately, don't say "We're just going to do one more I promise" - Your FOH is getting muted and you're going to sound like shit, and if the promoter or bar gets a fine because of your stupid ass, you're not getting booked there again.

[@esposoman]

One of my personal rules : Introduce yourself to the sound guy and ask for his name. Call him by his name everytime you need his help and don't forget the "please". It has been my pre gig routine for years.

[@sansocie]

Smart and Professional

[@pariah6313]

I do the same, great advice

[@thegreatgambeeno]

I always try to help the sound guys as much as possible. The faster and more efficient setup goes, the more time FOH has to make the band sound best.

[@SOHCGT96]

When I'm not playing, I run sound. Come and say whats up. Most of the night we're honestly kind of bored, but during changeovers, setup and teardown please let us do our thing.

[@esposoman]

@@SOHCGT96 Usually I do this before asking where I set up my gear

[@MetalNeverDieswithMarkA]

I remember when the guitarist from Odium left his guitar at a venue in London. We picked his guitar because we were the last band to leave and we checked the stage before leaving. We didnt know whose it was at the time but Odium messaged us asking if we picked up a guitar. We said yes and the guitarist drove from Hangover to Windsor to grab it. Our bands became good friends after and played many shows together.

[@ramon2008]

That’s bad ass man! Honest and kind people are much needed in this world

[@kmatthe4]

I really enjoyed how serious you took the last rule, even going so far as putting the pictures of the victims up with a moment of silence. Respect.

[@samsungtelevision695]

Same. I have a long history of ruminating on those incidents and a related phenomenon rave ghosts. Peak experience mixed with death horrifies me

[@primusdude87]

Even all these years later, it's still tragic to remember. A similar incident happened with the Romanian Metal band Goodbye To Gravity in 2015. That band seemed destined for something greater until a club fire at their CD release show. Only the singer survived from the band. So sad...

[@Afurthyclays]

@@primusdude87 THAT'S HORRIBLE! 😥

[@trebleclefjones4899]

I saw Anthrax at The Station shortly before that happened. I was in pain from how loud the PA was (extreme; abnormally loud) and I couldn’t back away from the loudspeakers due to how packed it was. They must have continually exceeded the capacity of that fucking place. The soundproofing on the walls looked like a fire hazard. What a nightmare. Those poor souls.

[@cHVF]

I can't help myself, I tear up everytime someone mentions that night. I typically need more than a moment and I can't talk for a while after that.

[@damienalvarez2957]

Glen is basically every working/gigging musician’s cool uncle. Gives great advice and zero bullshit.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

I agree, but every uncle is a little crazy too.

[@alexanderhanksx]

Idk the "antivaxxers dying off" comment was bullshit

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

@@alexanderhanksx they are though.... duh

[@unduloid]

He ain't a proper uncle until he's creepy too.

[@MidnightMark12]

@@KelticKabukiGirl You will never get out of this life alive, 'doc'. I'd tell ya a Kung Flu joke - you probably won't get it. Mostly old, fat, and infirm who are riddled with co-morbidities and who hyperventilate on the internet for exercise bought it. The rest of us studied in college and what forth. Shitty old entitled boomers and CEO bonuses for Pfizer were what it was all about from the start. Some of us saw that. The rest accused us of 'lunacy' and 'conspiracy theory'/ Oh, and fibrine-free sperm is the next bitcoin. You heard it here first.

[@cederickforsberg5840]

GG Allin disagrees with all 13 points

[@Dgarig665]

Yeah, but look at his audience.

[@LizardWizard_]

I chose the scumfuc tradition

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

He does? Well, look where that got him.

[@Dgarig665]

@@SpectreSoundStudios you could say he's dead wrong.

[@dt-hf8vz]

@@Dgarig665 😂

[@AceLM92]

I remember when my old band had our first gig, the bands that we "opened" for let us use their drum kit and we were so grateful that we helped haul everyone's gear after we were finished with our set. Ever since then, I try to help bands load and unload gear between sets at small gigs if they need a hand, regardless if I'm not playing.

[@hikingmetaller2303]

I was doing the exact same thing, Often times my favorite bands thought I´m the Club Owner or gig organizer... nah I was just a fan. This type of behaviour once saved me one day.

[@cloroxusthestainlessone4324]

I hate lugging a 40kg amp alone, I'm pretty sure the other bloke does too. A helping hand is always welcome

[@sm5574]

Reminds me of SRV's first time at Montreaux and most of the audience didn't like him. He was devastated but handled it with class, and a few years later he was asked back, this time as a major success.

[@wilfig]

Montreaux jazz snobs probably. Yep. I can't talk. I was one once, but left that attitude behind decades ago. But I always dug Blues and SRV was the real deal. He's proof that it pays to handle a bad audience with class. Just tough it out, and play the F outta your gig. You never know who is listening.

[@sm5574]

@@wilfig, you raise another good point. A lot of bands would play down to the energy level of such an audience, but not SRV. That was a monster set. It's available on video. You can see a handful of people dancing in the back of the room; at least some people recognized greatness.

[@scrollkeeper6636]

Just finished SRVs bio...audience didn't like him, but David Bowie did. Lesson: there might be one record exec/big star in the audience looking for talent, so always play at the best of your ability.

[@RickyD.03]

Totally right about simplifying, especially for singing. I’m the singer in my band and for every difficult lines I have alternative melodies that I came up with at practice if I can’t get a high. Guys like Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury did this all of the time. Great video.

[@hankhopeless9062]

ALWAYS be nice to the roadies. Remember they are specialists. They can make You, or break You

[@visualdarkness]

Good luck with the gig if they quit on you before or under it. Though they won't because they are professionals.

[@jesussonofgod6256]

what are roadies?

[@calebr9736]

@@jesussonofgod6256 the people behind the scenes that make shit happen

[@jesussonofgod6256]

@@calebr9736 thanks. I didn't know that.

[@calebr9736]

@@jesussonofgod6256 oh yeah np, they are some very under the radar folk who really put in lots of work

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

The hair is lookin' dreamy dude!

[@Afurthyclays]

🤣 You've got a good channel, too!

[@BandOfHarjaps]

The audience don't actually hate you. They've got faith in you, they might have even paid to see you. Relax, rock out and have drink afterwards.

[@jorgosagb]

Very good point and absolutely true!

[@jamesdragonforce]

Of course Glenn as always prefers the act of loud mouthed cynical douchebag.

[@EddieLamMusic]

Haha key word...AFTER the show! ;)

[@erockromulan9329]

I remember breaking a string in the middle of a song and the other bands in the audience came up to the front to give me support for limping through the rest of it. It helped me not completely loose my shit!

[@joshcarr2603]

@@erockromulan9329 once i broke a string and one of the other bands guitarists chucked me his spare guitar and even changed the string for me during our set, i swear to god the kindness of some people flaws me sometimes!

[@EddieLamMusic]

I told my stories with Glenn and he shared it a few years back (thanks Glenn)...if your band arrived on time at the venue but the staff, promoters/event organizers, and sound crew were MEGA late, please do NOT work with them ever again (until there's new staff that have their shit together)! Also, as Glenn has stated...never EVER do "Pay to Play" gigs! It's better to organize your own shows than to rely on someone who's most likely gonna financially screw you over!

[@phunniguy]

Some stupid stuff from experience: When doing a soundcheck and you get asked to play or sing, DO NOT stop until you are told to stop, your engineer can't mix silence. Also, drummers, hit your drums like you would during a performance, the engineer is going to flip if you start the show and the entire kit is clipping. Same goes for vocalists. Also, stop crying if you can't hear yourself on the stage right off the bat. In most cases FOH is primary, your monitoring is secondary. Be patient, you'll get asked what you need. If you're playing a festival, ABSOLUTELY downsize your rigs. Most festivals do not give you a proper sound check, but a line check. If your setup time is 15 minutes, you want most of that time left to set your levels and monitoring. You WILL NOT leave a great impression on anyone if you push the timetable back and you will risk having your show cut short.

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

As a former live sound engineer I fully endorse this message. Base your gear on what you can take on stage in the shortest possible time and what will work 100% of the time. Not on trying to recreate Yngwie Malmsteen's live rig. He's the main act, he can get away with it. When people pay top money to see you, then you will too. Until then get your shit on and off stage ASAP. And learn to work with the soundengineer, not against him. If he's an asshole its because he's had to endure too much bands like yours. The soundengineer wants to help you, even the asshole ones. If you make his life hard, he will make your performance hard. And for god sakes, when soundchecking put your bass player on a chain near his amp. The times when they had to pull his ass from outside having a smoke when it was his turn to soundcheck, that alone is why I would want a Rule No. 2 t-shirt. It's like they think soundchecking is an activity that doesn't involve them in any way.

[@givemesomelovin1]

@@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623 100% the bass player from my last band used to leave before Soundcheck. 🤦‍♂️.

[@cederickforsberg5840]

Musicans love playing when not supposed to, and be silent when supposed to. Musicians will be the biggest mystery for the aliens to figure out when they capture us for scientific investigations...

[@216trixie]

All true, great comment.

[@gothnev]

Definately this! I'm lucky in that I have only ever used multi effects (most recently Helix) so I can literally put the unit on the stage, plug in the engineers XLR and go - and you really need to get to that level of simplicity. The engineer doesn't care about your rig or your attitude, and festival engineers care even less. I remember one festival where it was literally 'twang' - "ok, you're good".... Next guitarist 'twang' - "ok, you're good." And off we went! (Luckily no drummer, we are a Goth band with a backing track)

[@Birkguitars]

Some great advice here especially the stuff on fire safety. I have heard from experts on the subject that one problem with fire escapes is that people tend to try to get out of a building the way they came in. The expert advice is to check where the exits are and if you have to evacuate and it is safe to do so head for the ones away from the entrance. If it is safe, emphasising only if it is safe, maybe direct others to follow you. CRITICALLY, make sure whichever exit you aim for has a door that opens outwards and actually opens. It is a safety regulation violation to have a fire door opening inward but that does not mean that they will all be code compliant. Hopefully no viewers will ever have to rely on this but you never know.

[@armax00]

Possibly a useful trick: use magic ink that shines with UV light to mark your gear. That is probably a lot less expected by kleptomaniac :) The end credits with the bloopers are the best. thanks for reintroducing them.

[@slyyfox0094]

Damn that’s actually pretty smart especially since assholes like stealing gear

[@robertdale2964]

Don't know about the US. But in the UK you can buy special ink for that. It contains microscopic unique codes on teeny tiny discs. They use a light with a magnifier to light them up. You register them with the police so if any similar gear turns up they can quickly identify the proper owner.

[@armax00]

@@robertdale2964 never heard of this interesting (possibly on UK and not in other EU countries?). I guess that would be nicer but in the lack of such an alternative, blue light might be a decent invisible trick

[@kraneomartinez2124]

Gracias for the tip 👍👍

[@antonkovalenko364]

Interesting. We could use that in the States as well!

[@iamBENJIx]

I couldn't agree more. I saw All American Rejects open for A Day To Remember And Blink 182, and they Insulted people for sitting down. Not just insulting the audience, but like a crowd of 2-3 people. It was very awkward for everyone and ruined the vibe.

[@markferguson3745]

As if sitting through that line up wouldn't be painful and boring enough.

[@Thisismynewhandel_666]

Hey man, I didn't expect you to touch on staying calm in an emergency. I am a firefighter/paramedic and I got goosebumps when you brought up the Great White fire. I remember seeing it on the news in 2003 and it (along with several other fire related tragedies) were assignments we had to write papers on in fire school. Thank you for bringing this up. It's something I think about at shows often and it seems unless someone works in public safety those types of things aren't really thought about. Medical emergencies are another thing. A guy got dropped on his head at a show. It cracked right the fuck open and the dude looked pretty bad. Everyone and their mom crowded around to see. Meanwhile myself and another paramedic were being pushed away by cellphone videographers. We weren't able to render aid, not that there was much we could do... I tried explaining that my friend and I were paramedics and wanted to help and a guy tried fighting us and told us he was an EMT (a lower certification). The belligerent EMT also stunk like alcohol and was clearly heavily intoxicated. Eventually the injured dude was pulled out of the crowd and presumably delivered to a medic crew. Keeping a calm head in a crowded room is certainly good advice and I thank you for bringing it up and paying tribute to those who needlessly died at a concert.

[@markdeal7783]

I think it's hilarious that is my actual bass rig! And it has been shared VERY successfully at more than a few festivals! Very versatile rig!

[@visualdarkness]

Now, I have never played live but I feel that most people running music venues and people in audio/video are in it because they actually like music and art. If it's your first gig it makes sense to ask them about stuff beforehand and they would most likely help out by guiding. It isn't "band vs venue vs staff vs audience" you are all in it together and all want it to be as good as it can be.

[@fumedrummer]

As a band or individual musician, if you're easy to work with you'll find fewer problems cross your path.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

nope,venue owners are interested in money and how many "bodies" you can pull in .they arent there to advise you and they will not other than telling you to turn it down.

[@banjosandbullets3413]

I’ve been playing shows for 14 years and I still got value from this video. 👍

[@blindeddy2220]

If you have active pick-ups, change the battery before the show.

[@haroldstewarttheblueshound3619]

Excellent video, brother. Well done. I like your other stuff too, but this one is exceptionally well done. (Especially your silent tribute to those who didn't make it out of the concert...) Kudos, & bravo. 😎👍🏻✨🎶💯‼️

[@GodsUnrulyFriends]

Thank you Glenn! Your practicality and wisdom are indisputable. Every word a gem. Permit me to add something. About seven years ago, I was playing at a festival. The festival was traditional African music and African hip hop, held at the Apollo Theater in New York City. I was playing what can best be described as Sufi Jazz, and was the only white man in the place (how I got that gig is a long story). Each act was allotted three songs. I was on stage with my sitar (modified with electronics), and my laptop. The pressure was on. Sure enough, as my first song ended, my laptop froze! So, I had to think fast. I asked the audience if they liked John Coltrane. This got a positive reaction, and I improvised on Coltrane's jazz classic A Love Supreme. Then I told the audience I would play an Oldie - a 700 year old love song. The name of the piece translates as Two Lovers in the Garden of Dreams, by Amir Khusro (d. 1325 c.e). The audience enjoyed the song and was fascinated by the novelty. I was saved! But the story doesn't end there! The following act was a Nigerian hip hop group who had asked me to play guitar with them. Mind you, I was taking a risk. I didn't know their music. But years of jazz and Indian raga training gave me a good ear and good improvisational skills. So, I was in the back while these young guys were doing their hip hop; I listened to the DJ, figured out what key he was in, and added jazz chords and embellishments. BUT,,,, toward the end of the last song, each member was taking turns going to the front of the stage and dancing. I was praying "Pleeeeze don't make me dance!" They were all young athletic Africans who had some serious moves, dancing in front of an Audience of Africans and African Americans. My middle aged white ass would have looked ridiculous dancing in front of them. Sure enough, they saved me for last. The frontman came to me, and started dragging me center stage. I had to think fast! I reached down to my amp, cranked up the distortion as hard as it would go, and started doing my Jimi Hendrix routine; playing with my teeth, behind my back, feedback and whammy bar stuff, etc. I saved my ass from terrible embarrassment, and the audience loved it. This is a true story. Definitely a 9.2 on the Weird-Gig-O-Meter! The lesson here is, if something goes wrong on stage, deal with it or work around it, and NEVER let the audience see you sweat.

[@ferencercseyravasz7301]

Wow Glenn, the fire incident that you mentioned is almost identical to what happened a few years ago in the Colectiv club in Bucharest, Romania. 67 people died, among them some that I knew, some other friends got severe burns, injuries and lasting psychological trauma. The outrage was so huge, it triggered enormous protests because of the blatant corruption that was the primary cause of the fire that a few days later the prime minister and the whole government resigned. The spooky thing is that at the time I used to be a music teacher in high school and just two weeks before this happened I told my students: If you go to a concert or a show or any kind of event that happens in a crowded place, do yourselves a favor and locate the exits before the show begins. I had some statistics about similar fires from the previous years from all around the world.

[@matioliravioli2333]

Same thing happened here in Argentina. I get chills just from thinking about it

[@Falasi4]

These even apply for my bluegrass band and we mostly (pre covid) play nursing homes, pretty much do all these and we always play for free - we have day jobs, just want to share some music with those that can't get out. One of the best reactions was a standing ovation from a lady that had to struggle out of her wheel chair to get up when we played what turned out to be her favorite song.

[@ManleyReviews]

And just to throw in some extras.. 1: Don't roll cables on stage. deal with that shit after the show. putting them in a backpack on stage is one of the worst looks. 2: Get those cabs off stage ASAP. You would have sounded better direct anyway. 3: Get your fat girlfriends out of side stage. they will always be in the way of everything at all times. 4: Your dream gig is what pros call Tuesday and that means this show is not your night to party. do that on a local only gig. Be quick, be professional, and be out of the way and all will go smoothly. The rest of the band and crew are on the clock and just want things to go smoothly. 5: NO OPEN BEVERAGES ON STAGE. EVER. Nothing makes us resent a band then them spilling beer over your drum rug you let them use to save time on change over. 6: Don't take your cymbals off the stands on stage. 7: Don't wear your street clothes on stage. unless you want to look like every forgettable local band. Stand out, make your show a spectacle. 8: Don't roll over the backline cables. 9: Don't speak unless spoken to. which granted, will happen and there will be time to casually network. But not when people are actively working. 10: Don't drink all the water. that's for touring acts to stow for later. 11: Don't overuse profanities on stage. It's a crutch and it looks tacky if overused. 12: Be at the merch table for every change over to meet your fans and engage with them! Just to name a few off the top of my head!

[@jackmaniacmusic]

Rather than bringing strings, I usually bring a second guitar so I can easily change and don’t have to worry about stretching the new string

[@sqlb3rn]

you can still bring strings... they weight what, 4 ounces?

[@Kylora2112]

@@sqlb3rn Depends on your gig and your gear. Fighting a Floyd Rose trying to break in a new string on the fly isn't fun, but if you have a Les Paul or something with an Evertune, go for it.

[@sqlb3rn]

@@Kylora2112 or if there will be other guitar players at said establishment that might need a spare string in a shtf scenario.

[@carlsimons6616]

I'm with you. I ALWAYS bring a backup instrument. I broke a Bass string on an outdoor show, a couple years back. Luckily, I played rest of the song on the E(broke the A) and switched basses, next song. Way easier than trying to restring.

[@michaelreyes9997]

What!? So u actually bring a back up instrument? Well damn, how has no one ever thought of bring a back up tool to a job

[@radiantsignals3279]

Classic advice from an experienced professional!! I'm frequently amazed at the lack of professionalism in many bands. Back when I was gigging it always ticked me off when other band mates neglected to get their volume levels right and their instruments tuned up before we started a show. I had one bass player who told me it was unprofessional to tune up between songs. Needless to say he would proceed to play a whole set out of tune all while playing way too loud. Fun times.

[@02smithm1]

I would add one more for when you are starting out... # Show some interest in the other bands. When you first start out, there is nothing worse than the whole 'crowd' and the other bands standing at the back of the venue (basically saying "Nope. We didn't come here to support you so wish to ensure we have as much distance from you as possible."). We've all been at the level when even selling a few tickets is hard. If you're playing in one of the other bands, STAND NEAR THE FRONT TO SHOW SUPPORT TO THE OTHER BANDS!!! It's so damn simple but encourages the crowd to step forward, supports the other bands and they normally return the favour (so you get a better vibe for your set). Even if you hate their music, you literally have to put up with it for a short period of time and in exchange your set may have a way better atmosphere and you are more likely to make contacts and get more gigs... seriously - can speak to this from experience.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Hear Hear !!!

[@SOHCGT96]

And then after one band plays, half the crowd leaves. Don't be that guy.

[@samsungtelevision695]

This is so huge. Just as a fan this is either a huge turn off or turn on when bands are cool to each other or shitheads.

[@02smithm1]

@@SOHCGT96 I once played a gig where a band brought a whole coach of fans with them to a small venue. We thought "great, this gig should be buzzing!". They ALL (band included) went to the bar in a completely separate venue next door for every other bands set apart from their own. Needless to say, their reputation was dirt after that night - disrespected the venue, other bands and the organisers. Ridiculous selfishness from a band who (surprise surprise) were never heard from again.

[@visualdarkness]

Seeing the bands high-fiving each other before and after shows and showing enthusiasm during them makes them seem like people you want to hang out with. Being shitty to others makes you not want to support them either.

[@JackieTheCatfox]

Hoo boy. I've played three shows in a row this weekend, and every single one of these tips resonates with me. Thanks for sharing, Glenn!

[@ghosttownreview1531]

Be good to the sound guy. #1. He's in charge of your sound. Don't piss him off! #2. If he likes working with your band and has any sway over what bands get to play at that venue, you might be invited back more often.

[@bigdaddy496]

Glen, much respect bro. Showing the photos of those who lost their lives at the Great White venue was a very decent gesture. I love watching your videos, this is almost like taking singing classes with david lee roth. Thanks for your content!

[@Bernz66]

I always help other bands when I can….. my old band was playing with a bunch of other bands for a new label showcase…. The band before us was on stage… the guitar player/singer broke a string into a song….. he was the only guitarist…..That was his only guitar……I tuned up my guitar (we tuned a half step down)…. Went up stage after they ended the song, handed him my guitar. Took his guitar and replaced the string, stretched the string as much as possible, tuned the guitar and then handed his guitar back to him within two of their songs…… he was shocked and thanked me a whole bunch…. Always have a second guitar even if you need to borrow one….

[@ThreadBomb]

It's true, some heroes don't wear capes (unless you do actually wear a cape).

[@sillyness3456]

Two things: Never, under any circumstances, let another guitar player play your head, just no. Ever since my band lost two mic stands in 2012, we always had a checklist of the gear we brought and always went with that. Never lost anything afterwards.

[@stephenlindsay3792]

It used to annoy the shit out of me when people wouldn't let me play through their head, got my own and Made the point of letting others use it, only for them to change every setting after watching me fine tune it all during sound check!

[@fancykarlmarx]

Cabs are ok to share though

[@DingleDut]

Meh..if they're respectful enough and have a legitimate reason as to why they need to use my head then so be it, I've done it before. Just take a picture of your settings so when he's done you can set it back to how you had it.

[@lr6884]

This might just be the best video on KZbin. Thank you sir.

[@MushroomSoT]

Taking notes on rolling paper, thanks for the tip glenn

[@BassSlapper89]

Bass player here, I am happy to admit at, 4:38, that I purchased a Line 6 Helix Stomp. Less equipment for me to haul. Life changer and my back loves me. This setup I have gives me time to help the drummer.

[@th3gr81]

Glenn, you are a genuine human being.

[@Arch-Peggio]

yes.. he is a human.

[@ChrisGalesMusic]

Man. You touched on all truths. Excellent job brother.

[@squidcaps4308]

With every band i've been we rehearsed until it was faultless. Sure, mistakes do happen but they are in the order of "one wrong note once" or just "damned, empty strings weren't muted well enough in my solo on two places"... You do not try to get gigs until you are at that point: each member of the band has practiced their parts until they have NO problems with any of them, none of them have no doubts if they can do it, and the band swings to the same rhythm effortlessly. You need to imagine that you have a slight fever and are 5 beers too deep, after a sleepless night and day of working, can you still do your parts flawless? If not, simplify them. On stage you will not hit the same 100% as in your bedroom alone. You can only do 80%. The nerves may hit you, you may have hurt your finger a bit, you may just be "off" that day... In the racing world, it would be called a "qualification banker lap" where you take no risks whatsoever just to get a time on the table. It is walking or jogging, not parkour. Making an omelette and not eggs poached. That means your fucking omelette better be fucking good, and that is where song writing and tireless practice comes in. Your 80% has to be better than most guys 100%. I try to hit 50%, as in, i can do much harder stuff but i know what i can do on stage, fear of failure drops that down. The upside is that no matter how nervous i get, i know i can still play my parts, which instantly drops the nervousness and brings up the enjoyment... And i do like to move a lot, express my emotions on stage... The more of a "show" you want to do, the easier parts you have to compose..

[@michellelehky2374]

This. Practice your fucking songs and TRY.

[@CedricSatterfield]

Singer here. Classical, even. Yips happen. That Purcell glissando is never going to sound as good as it does in practice. That doesn’t mean don’t strive to close the gap but it’s something you just gotta learn to roll with.

[@raularaujostrw]

Great comment. I guess performing simple things in an extraordinary and emotional way is what differentiates every wannabe musician from world-class acts.

[@Metallex]

Once is a mistake, twice is jazz ;)

[@RabidChasebot]

This is extremely good advice; great post! I think you could even go further and practice improvising by simulating common problems. For example, practicing your songs on guitar or bass with a string taped down to simulate a broken string, learning both lead and rhythm parts for guitar in case you lose a guitar player last minute, maybe even learn the lead vocal parts too in case your singer can't be there etc. I'm actually going to take this advice seriously once I'm playing again post-covid.

[@Jayteaseepiirturi]

Solid advice. I especially liked what you had to say towards the end about emergencies and all that. One rarely thinks about that stuff.

[@wayshot]

I always bring one more instrument cable than I need for my setup, as there have been countless occasions of guitar players missing a cable or bringing a faulty one. I remember a gig about 10 years ago. The venue manager told us that a duo of two local country singers were to play there a couple of weekends earlier. They got so wasted before the show that the manager booted them out before entering the stage. Don't be like those two guys :-)

[@fokeyjo]

Oh god yes, 1st live performance in my own band while I was at school and my cable was dodgy and was cutting out loads.. course, couldn't actually afford a new cable at the time, I was a kid!!

[@MohJam]

Thank you as someone who frequents a sound desk...you nailed it.... sound check is not last minute practice.... play like you mean it and only stop when the sound guy gives you the thumbs up... oh and maintain eye contact with them in the sound check... simple crap!

[@DaveViner]

1)Bring duct tape. 2)Test your gear BEFORE the show. 3)Know how to set up your gear BEFORE the show. 4) Find out wear you can park your car BEFORE the show. 5)Bring duct tape.

[@mikkalbreeden956]

And extra batteries.

[@davedecker1725]

A small flashlight comes in real handy

[@YoungDeathWish]

great tips man, it took me several shows struggling before I simplified what I was trying to do. Also, even if you KNOW your songs really well, keep practicing. like a lot. Cuz you'll probably still end up forgetting some words if you're super nervous.

[@grayaj23]

What did people do before there were any Glenn Frickers? A note on fires: If you own a home and store your shit there, include your gear on your insurance declarations. If you rent, GET RENTERS INSURANCE. Don't be caught out when you find out that the landlord's insurance policy only covers the building and fixtures and not your stuff. If you have a mortgage, you have homeowner's insurance. Renter's insurance is cheap -- maybe $100 a year at most, and it will save your ass if something goes wrong. Like if your shit gets stolen (obvious) or your amp gives someone a shock and puts them in the hospital (not so obvious -- the policy will have general liability coverage along with covering your possessions). Get receipts whenever you can, for anything that costs more than $100. New Les Paul Modern? New pro-grade amp? Definitely get a receipt. If you don't have one, see if the place you bought it from will give you a copy. A Les Paul looks like a Les Paul. Les Pauls go for $900, depending on where you look them up. Don't assume the adjuster knows the difference. So GET RECEIPTS and add them to your declarations. (And when you do get homeowner's or renter's insurance, ask about the cost of umbrella liability insurance. You only have the state minimums on your car -- that gets eaten up by a broken toe and a 5mph bump. Umbrella liability can give you $500K to a million in liability for dirt cheap.) No, I'm not an insurance salesman. I'm a lawyer. I've explained to people why their landlord isn't going to pay for their heirlooms because the fire was the landlord's fault.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Damn good advice!

[@CedricSatterfield]

Take pictures front and back, w/serials. Add up new replacement cost and buy riders if you need to. A lot of home policies only cover music gear from the point of view of a hobbyist. If you’ve got three or four guitars, a computer or two, a keyboard or midi, pedals/multi, and few amps it adds up so fast. And usually way more than your base coverage.

[@stuntmaster127]

Dropping dimes dude good looks 👍

[@ZacsSoloProject]

KZbin hasn't shown me your content in 5 months, and I gotta say, you are looking amazing and still telling it like it is! Love it.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@fleekwoodmac3705]

My drummer has this other bands called Uncle Dan. They are opening for Andrew WK at The Theater of Living Arts in Philly. First nugget I gave him was to simplify all the songs and just bring the energy. No one has heard the songs so they won't know they are playing it different than the recording.

[@freqhandy]

5:56 thank you for this! Going to be sharing with fresh artists before events!

[@philzeo]

I've made people laugh by yelling at my guitarist on stage to "unmute while you tune. The poor crowd doesn't get to hear the dulcet tones of a single note over and over again." Because it turns out, people hate that. And everyone has been to shows where they do that. Oof.

[@Pundit07]

Well said. Thank god for modern pedal tuners that have killswitch functions built in to them so that you can tune your guitar on stage and nobody has to hear it at the same time. I really appreciate my TC Polytune for this exact reason.

[@EarlyMist]

Thanks for including titles of segments in the timeline.

[@vk3fbab]

Awesome video Glenn. Most of them are obvious to half decent humans. The last one is so important. The fear of missing out is so hard to overcome but no gig is worth a life. Go and see bands like Pearl Jam, The Who and others that have had fans die at a gig. It doesn't go away for those that survive.

[@davecardboard9567]

I was at a "Monsters of Rock Festival" show in the 80's in the UK where a couple of people got crushed to death. I still remember the announcement made at the end of the show vividly, even decades later. And it still upsets me. As you say man, it never leaves you.

[@vk3fbab]

@@davecardboard9567 thanks for sharing man. Can't even begin to think how traumatic an experience like that would have been. Deaths at gigs suck for everyone concerned. Shows that it is even more important to talk about it.

[@JanderVK]

@@davecardboard9567 UK venues/stadiums were deathtraps back in the 70's/80's apparently. Hillsborough, Bradford etc.

[@rogerrattus4641]

Had a guy dive off the PA stack at a Bolt Thrower gig I was mixing years ago, now a paraplegic. Hard to forget.

[@davidtomkins4242]

@@JanderVK the donington was just a surge to the front of people in a field. The guys got trampled.

[@tkdazzler1-130]

I am so glad your channel popped up on my feed. This advice is really great. I resonate especially with NOT getting drunk/drugs and the part you talked about staying calm during emergencies. It is a disservice to your listeners to be drunk or otherwise not in the right mind; let them get fucked up :)

[@seanklassen1413]

Seriously a tragedy no one should have to endure. Thanks for the memoriam of the people lost in that fire. It really hits different seeing that on the show.

[@acreguy3156]

*On sharing gear* I played a big festival a few years ago, where there were six bands on for the whole day. We were the first band on and our drummer brought his pristine 1962 Ludwig, Ringo Star kit. The other drummers all asked if they could use it. Our guy left it there for the whole day. He got the kit back at the end of the day in perfect condition. It was a great sense of brotherhood. Signs of true professionals.

[@MrJimbissle]

That moment, 100 pics, silence. Huge respect to you for that.

[@frayedsanity]

Hey Glenn love your work. Just wanted to say thanks for this video. My band has a gig coming up in a bit under a month and we've been rehearsing songs and getting back to form for this gig. All these tips you've provided are really good and I will share this video with my bandmates too. Rock on man.

[@mikkalbreeden956]

Singers showing up early, that’s rich. Never seen that happen in 20 years.

[@fumedrummer]

I had a singer that actually helped me set up lights for a gig! He ran PA cables, too. Very nice to work with.

[@revanrijndgreat8670]

In Uganda we have a band called Afrigo. Those guys keep time like its running out of fashion. They show up almost an hour before the gif and when it clocks the time to start - as agreed in the contract - they'll start the show even if the venue is mostly empty seats or the bride hasn't finished changing.

[@davidtomkins4242]

Well, the only have to carry a mic, eh?

[@jacobbrown1690]

Yea they walk by the others guys lifting all their equipment. They only have a small bag with their fave mic.

[@johnhilton7048]

I actually remembered to turn on one of your playlists while i was at work! I hope youre both doing well

[@lauragarcia4037]

Simplified versions..good one. My picking cramps up after time so learning half steps or alternate phrases helps to keep it going

[@mrmaramind]

Best video I have seen here. Excellent and words from experience and its obvious. Well well done!

[@blackdog6969]

Really grounding towards the end. Most things seem common sense but that last point is the most common sense thing that no one I know of have thought about on stage. That felt like a big "oh fuck" when you brought up potential evaluation. It's easy to forget that the stage and venue is a workplace and has procedures that should be followed by anyone working there. Great video, something that will stick with me in the future

[@lachopakapura]

I'm really enjoying your channel great tips. My Philosophy is really simple, having to perform in front of a live audience is a privilege! you should always give it your hundred percent whether it's one people at the show or a thousand. I've been fortunate enough to play to either ends and the rush for me is the same. Music is about having fun and If I could make someone else stop and nod their head to the beat I've did my job for the day.

[@jphi1000]

Great tips. Got a good laugh at most of them. Though I appreciate the seriousness of the last tip. It should almost be standard procedure before a note is played that someone points out the exits. And you’re right about not grabbing gear in case of emergency. Every piece I own can be replaced, but it won’t matter if I’m burned alived

[@jphi1000]

@@gabrielborges9438 from my understanding that is correct. Went in for his guitar

[@billyfields7722]

Thanking you for the great video and I made a couple of changes in my way of preforming. Now I wear a wrist coach (sweatband that have a couple of cardboard sheets) partly because of medical issues that might come up at an event. Mostly to get medical attention to the area of the situation. Also pointing out the situation present.

[@MikeSingSing]

We actually had our final rehearsal for our first show in a year just yesterday. We actually moved out of our usual rehearsal space and set up camp somewhere else to force everyone to bring the stuff they'll use live and brought our own PA/Mixer so everyone knew again where their input in the stagebox etc is. Since we're a 12 piece we also invited our usual soundguy to create a preset with all the IEMs and checking input levels, because doing a shitty soundcheck with 12 people takes hours and is less fun than spending a recording session with an unprepared bassist.

[@davecardboard9567]

That's a great idea: If you've never done it before, it'd also be worth practising your load in and load out. Esp. if you are getting any "friends" along to help out as roadies who aren't used to handling your gear. And check that you can get everything you need into whatever vehicles you are going to use to transport it to/from the venue. The time to find out you cannot get that enormous kick, all the floor toms and your girlfriend into your mom's Honda Civic is not two hours before show time.

[@antonkovalenko364]

@@davecardboard9567 I was part of a circle of local/regional bands in the Carolinas a couple of decades back, and we had done just that, with the members of the bands taking turns pulling roadie duty for each other. It made things considerably easier.

[@bernardi5919]

12 piece? What does your lineup look like?

[@MikeSingSing]

@@bernardi5919 Male/female lead vocals, bass, guitar, keys, drums, brass secion (4 piece) and 2 background vocals.

[@bernardi5919]

@@MikeSingSing Oh, I just assumed it was metal (this channel focuses on it after all)

[@MZAC199]

Love your antics ! Rock on brother!

[@jkinthewind]

I'm convinced some bands don't record themselves playing live. They probably listen to their girlfriends when they say, "You're the best sounding band ever!" and think everyone will agree. They won't. She's lying so you will tell her how pretty she is. I've been in band practice and thought we sounded great ... then we listened to the recording. Nope, not great. In fact really really bad. But then we knew what we needed to fix.

[@charliet.sanford2495]

Never take your family or friends opinions of your music seriously.

[@andimachovec2719]

Very important advice. We always record ourselves at every rehearsal (and every gig if possible). No, it doesn´t always sound the way we would have liked to, but it´s the only way you can improve your performance. And you don´t even need a seperate recording device nowadays, any cell phone will do.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

perfect advice....i followed this advice and when we went into the studio we cut a 13 song album in 1 day,when we played live we were applauded(in one band anyway)

[@lray8771]

we used to give the soundguy a cassette and ask him to record us so we could hear how we sounded. helped alot in getting better.

[@dale116dot7]

@@trillrifaxegrindor4411 I’ve recorded five albums for a band that also did this. It’s great, they’re one of the few bands I’ve worked with that are good enough to record to tape.

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

Dude you rock... the tool chest or toolbox for the guitar player or the drummer. That's f****** awesome

[@bengraham6483]

May i also add, record a video of your band. It doesn't have to be good quality. You just have to see everyone and be able to hear the instruments well(ish). Watch this video over and over to get a good idea of what you did wrong but also what you did right. This really helps you improve and put on a better show

[@loch1352]

Tell me you did DCI without telling me you did DCI

[@RabidChasebot]

I ALWAYS record at least the audio with just a Zoom handy recorder from practices when doing full set run-throughs. I've also been fortunate enough to have only played with people that know how to set egos aside and know how to take (and give) constructive criticism when listening to it back.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you-during congressional singing, singing with CDs or the radio, and even singing a chorus/song by heart: if I can’t make the note and I don’t feel like practicing to reach that higher note, then I hit the octave lower note and it feels just fine.

[@lovzygaming3144]

really needed this since my band is just starting to play live. i am loving all of these videos

[@vancerosentreter5960]

It’s much cheaper to learn from somebody else’s mistakes :-) binge watching some Glenn Fricker this weekend.

[@StephanS]

I remember a show i've played about 10 years ago: We were several bands/acts and knew each other before. We emailed around for a while and shared all the synthesizers, mixers, computers and software. It was like playing as a big family and everyone helped each other.

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Great tips Glenn! As someone who gigs on a weekly basis I always have the following gear with me on the road: 3 guitars in a Quantum Industries road case that doubles as a stand (less overall gear) A single pelican case that carries 2 of every cable, and 2 Fractal FM3 rigs ---Extra batteries, chargers, portable charger, business cards, tools--- One trip in and out, setup/breakdown is less than 5 minutes, and since the band goes direct and uses IEMs sound checks are just line checks for FOH. You NEVER know what is going to happen, so BE PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME. With experience comes wisdom and knowledge so if anything goes wrong you can fix the problem without anyone knowing!

2:10 most of Queen 80's concert is Freddie singing a lot of parts in a low register, that's why he need to keep his voice for studio recordings. I mean, even the great Freddie Mercury take care of his voice!! Good video, Glenn!!

[@daviddroxler8534]

Very helpful, interesting & funny. As a dancer I can use this advice too!

[@ryanfitz-henry3371]

I think this is one of your most important lists yet!!!

[@M75248]

2:10 Yes! Thank you! My old band gave me crap for telling them we should modulate the song because our singer couldn't reach the highest notes. Even legends like Freddie Mercury knew how to do it when he was sick but still kept his act together so the overall performance wouldn't suffer.

[@markdeal7783]

Not sure if it's good advice or not. But playing outdoor gigs at parks and such.. I ran tech for a good friend of mine and had to eventually block off the area directly behind the band because people seemed to have a preoccupation with walking right through the area you're trying to work in! Turned into an exercise in keeping all the equipment safe from intrusive wanderers!

[@drunkenarcheryclub]

Gawwwwd your channel is bloody hilarious. Keep up the good work. Pete NZ in music industry for thirty years. Love it.

[@Dgarig665]

I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm wondering how much of this could be translated to "Don't be an asshole"?. I will observe and find out. Morning Glenn.

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

It's amazing how many problems can be prevented by don't be an asshole.

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

That's a BIG part of it, but not all.

[@Dgarig665]

@@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623 It's also amazing how hard it is to observe that rule sometimes...

[@micuronium]

Great words. Your videos are superficially, a hilarious chaotic rant, but the messages are really some of the most sound, reasoned, and logical advice I’ve seen, on any topic. Order in the midst of aggressive chaos, i.e. the soul of metal. I also appreciate the safety concerns, coming from an emergency and critical care nurse. Just one thing: While weed is relaxing to most people, it is not a depressant, technically it’s a hallucinogen.

[@ulf793]

Tbh we did most of this in the band I was in we also had an "Idiot Test" taped to the inside of the back door of the van!, basically a list of equipment & layout of how stuff went into the van 😆.

[@thegreatgambeeno]

Ah, so cheat sheets for the robbery. Very nice.

[@ulf793]

@@thegreatgambeeno 😆😁

[@FurtiveSkeptical]

Love your episodes Glenn, fuck you very much. 🤘 Yeah, keys player by trade here. Years of gigging taught me to keep emergency stash of diff gauge of picks handy, 9 volt batteries, a tuner and an extra strap, even an extra DI box, a spare IEC block electrical cord just in case the guitar player or bassist had a brain fart and we were 2+ hours out of town. None of these things were for me personally as keys player except the AC cord. Spot on about the stage and interband etiquette and general respect among musicians ( that deserve it). Music should be a brotherhood/sisterhood/family .... Not a rivalry. Rock on.

[@ryancasey1287]

Definitely some tips that a few people in my band need to take into consideration😂😂😂. Thanks again Glen for an awesome and entertaining video

[@arrell]

Glen, your comedy writing and delivery is on point in this video.

[@BettyTheRaccoon]

If this whole channel would be one video the title should be "How to scream for years without trashing your voice". Amazing tips though! Cheers from hellish sunny Greece!

[@orlock20]

The Beth Hart rule is to perform no more than once every other day and don't talk on the days off. Keep hydrated and not with booze. Always use a vocal coach who knows what they are doing. She is nearly 50 and still can be louder than any other singer out there. Ann Wilson is in her 60s and can out perform a 30 year old Robert Plant.

[@CedricSatterfield]

@@orlock20 love both of them.

[@tommydeamon7657]

That last point is truly mindblowingly simple but tottaly true and just right on thank you four being you I wish ide of had a link to you're wisdom 20 years or more ago you're always educational and tottaly entertaining thank you keep being you

[@themadsamplist]

I don't play live anymore but when I did we used to record our performances and analyze them later. And the best perfomances I've seen were from bands with an empty venue and rocked the shit out of their show anyway.

[@anthonylakich1727]

SIDENOTE: Been play Music 25 years and have to say All You Said About Getting Ready For Shows is SPOT-ON GOOD VIDEO ...Gave it a Like.

[@BeanDogStudios]

Put any effect setting changes on the setlist.

[@orlock20]

Also the key that the song is in which can change because of the vocal performance and give a note if the guitarist has to grab a guitar with a different tuning.

[@aureliusandthespiral]

Solid advice as usual. Never thought to bring a soldering iron on non tour shows, local gigs, that really is smart.

[@ANDYN1995]

Gig yesterday: acoustic guitarist snapped a string in sound check. We had backup acoustic in the venue that hadn't been used in a long time. Plugged in and tried it out. Battery is almost dead. I had a backup battery, guitarist put it in. No signal. Take out battery, it's hot, plastic has melted and guitar is smoking. Moral of the story: have your own damn backup stuff, at the very least a set of strings, or you might almost burn down the building. I'm a bassist and even I understand that

[@EddieLamMusic]

I've had shit like that happen to me before where everything just went wrong. Moral of the story on my end, I was not meant to play there! 🤣

[@grinnialvex]

Need to add “GTFO off the stage ASAP!” to the list! Tearing down and leaving quick is just as important as setting up quick, especially when there are more bands that need to play and especially when your band sucks anyway! Can’t tell you many times we had to cut sets short because the guys before us dicked around too long trying to pull their fear off stage.

[@DanielCornwall519]

I love how you remade your older video covering many of the topics but with a new perspective. Great video and keep it up!

[@Bernz66]

Always let the drummer setup first when playing on small stages….. help him as much as possible…. Then place the amps up on stage….. this was our setup routine when we had to bring our PA and lights….. first the light rig that went to the back of the stage where we hung our banner….. then we setup the PA…… help drummer setup….. bring up amps and then monitor wedge(s)…… place pedalboards and hook them up….. place the font/side lights….. kick and snare PA levels….. bass amp and PA levels….. guitar amp and PA levels…. Sound check and fix all issues and problems…..

[@terrywitzu7874]

This is one of two vids I've seen that actually tells it like it is. Ypu don't say it overtly, but always respect your audience. One point of personal relation, I'm constantly learning new songs. There's always ONE that's, "Oh EVERYBODY is going to love this one. It'll blow them away...well, guess what^ A lot of times they don't. Shake it off and play the next one. Another point of aggravation, is when the "DON'T STOP PLAYING" law is broken. A fight breaks out and everyone in the band stops to gawk. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! KEEP PLAYING!". You stop plsying b/w sets, until then do your job!

[@davecardboard9567]

Have a "routine" ready for when something goes bad on stage. Like a string break - no one wants to watch a band improvise a cross talk comedy routine for ten minutes whilst the guitarist unlocks the trem system, changes out the string, retunes and and locks up again. In one of my friends bands, years ago, the singer would grab a harmonica, and whatever bits of the band had survived the technical f-up would crack out an bit of pre-rehearsed "bluesiness" whilst the TKO was being sorted out. I once saw the whole PA go down at a Korn gig. The guys in the band grabbed every piece of throwable shit (drumsticks, picks, tee shirts, etc) and started lobbing them into the audience. OK that's not an option for a little start up band with no money, but my point is they were ready and knew what to do when something went wrong: Have a plan B. One for the guitarists - take fuzz box with you (and of course, new spare batteries to power it.) It doesn't take up much space and if your amp goes down, you can DI into the desk and get something going. OK it won't be "your" sound from your super-duper valve amp, but a crap tone is better than no tone at all. And one for Glen - is the whole "electrical safety" issue still a thing? At one time bands were being advised to take their own safety breakers along, particularly to smaller less well run venues were the house electrics might be, shall we say "a bit dodgy," after a few kids had gotten some nasty electric shocks as they stepped up and grabbed a mic. Or is this just not a "thing" any more...?

[@Jasonmakesvideo]

a power conditioner that has a LED readout of how much juice the wall socket youre using is definitely necessary if you playing a lot of different venues. ive been on tour on the way to xxxxx-legit bar sounding name-xxxx only to have it be a garage, abandoned buildings, parks with generators, and all sorts of sketchy shit. those day you might have some trouble letting go of your guitar. i have mad respect for the lengths people will go to put on a show. you always know itll be crazy crowd too cuz theyre starved for entertainment.

[@adinadamian5634]

I've seen a clip from a Guns 'N Roses gig back in the day where Slash had to change his shoes on stage (or something like that) and Axl told him to hurry because he didn't come there to do stand up comedy :)))

[@fokeyjo]

I definitely would not use a floyd rose trem without a backup guitar available... and being someone who did end up with their amp going down partway through the first song and having to play a half hour goth metal with a clean tone (it sounds like country if you're wondering), taking a spare distortion or fuzz is hella advisable... we got in the local papers with that incident, tho :D

[@fokeyjo]

And I've always used breakers.. you're usually running loads of kit off extensions at smaller gigs.. don't mess with electricity if you can help it.