"You know nobody's going to help you, you're on your own" LOL I died right there. Ain't it the truth!

if there's a house sound guy, say hi, be kind, he can make or break your gig

I LOVE all your clips, but this is a cut above! In my experience I'd add 2 things that are vital: 1) A mini flashlight! Day gigs aside you're likely to be on dim or dark stages. When you're trying to set up, esp in a jiffy, a mini flashlight is worth its weight in gold! Easy to stash (I keep mine velcroed to my board), quick to use! 2) A personal air fan. I keep a fan behind my amp to keep the tubes cool, but, esp in recent weather, YOU can easily overheat. Recently I advised my singer/bassist to get herself one, but she (no pun) blew it off. Last gigs we did she felt like keeling over, more than once, from the heat. At one point I even aimed my fan at her to keep her going. She still didn't get herself one. Like they say about horses & water...

Great tips. This one, like many others, is a keeper. Additionally, come on everybody, its time, let's get The Big Baccher to 100k. He truly deserves it. God bless all.

Damian I once left my Stratocaster outside the stage door of a club, didn't miss it till I arrived home and unloaded my gear into my home. I rang the club, and luckily there was a honest bar steward who brought it in for me - so I went the following morning to pick it up. It was a 50 minute drive each way to get it, and I tipped the guy £10 for helping me; taught me a lesson to Double Check every time I leave a club.

GREAT points! If you want to stand out, always remember to do these things. It’s easy to forget sometimes because you’re drunk (which as a professional you shouldn’t be), forgetful, or excited. Remember, you are still getting paid to do a job. Follow Damian’s rules in this video and make your band stand out from the rest!

Don’t forget for outdoor gigs to bring big plastic tarps and maybe large contractor bags to cover gear in the event of rain. We’ve had to cover gear even when the band played outdoors under a building or roof, as rain always blew in sideways.

Dont forget a sleeping bag. I once drive from Cape Cod, MA to Burlington, VT. It was warm about 50 in MA. Hit NH it started to snow. Hit VT whiteout conditions. Played the show and had to sleep on the floor of the venue with only my leather jacket and booze to keep me warm. I was 21 and it was my first show. I made sure to be prepared next time.

I would add that it's been best in my experience to not use any old powerstrip, but use a power conditioner that regulates an even flow of 120. I had power surges from the club blow the tubes in my amp twice over the years because of that problem. Now I am hyper vigulent to always bring the power condition. Damian, your videos are the best! I try to catch every one! This one is especially useful! Thanks!!

Great advice Damian! You are such a great cat and player! I've been learning a lot from you! Your videos are just awesome!

Marvellous as usual Damian, have you tried a Vibromate Spoiler on your Bigsby?, makes string change a breeze. I think 5 minutes of playing live is like 5years in your bedroom, your gorgeous vintage tone you spent a fortune on vanishes in a salvo of drums,keys and bass. Your pedal board the next gig is filleted , to reverb, trem and a tube screamer

Pure gold tips Damian! I’ve learned every one these the hard way over the years. This video should be required viewing for every beginning gigging guitarist regardless of genre. I’ll never forget the first time I had a hand truck to bring to a gig, all I could think was “why didn’t I do this years ago?!” Some additional tips, get yourself some sort of case with a handle to put your strings, tools, cables power supply etc. in. Always bring a Sharpie marker so you can add notes or revisions to your set list and be able to autograph merch if you are lucky enough to be asked to. Cheers man!

Thank you for these very worthwhile tips, Damian. Even though I am just a bedroom guitarist, I find that having an extra pair of nail clippers and a small baggie of Band Aids in my guitar case has come in handy more than a couple of times. Take care and have a great weekend!

Hi Damian. Would love to catch one of your shows when I’m in the Sunshine State. Where can I see when your playing live? Don’t see a section on your website. And ton of really good real world practical advice. One that people may forgot about that you highlighted about getting gig ready, is to stand up in rehearsal. That is one of my top “to do” items, as I am typically sitting in band rehearsals.

Hi Damian. Spot on with all your tips👍. I once left my ' home made ' amp stand outside the load in door , I went back a week later and it was still their !!! 🤣

Hi Damian I'm usually the front person when I do live shows. I like to thoroughly rehearse what I'm going to say when I'm talking to the audience. Then there's no hesitancy or bumbling when I'm talking. Also I'm confident about spontaneous responses to anything that happens because I have my prepared remarks to fall back on.

Locking tuners make string changes with Bigsbys a breeze. Or a capo to clamp on the strings and neck so they don't come off the Bigsby pins, Kudos on the spare tubes, too. A couple pre amp or power tubes in the gig bag can save the day.

I think you covered just about everything. i've been doing this for a long time, too.

Great points. Back in my early 20s, there weren't things like Snark tuners (and things these days break), so know how to quickly tune an instrument by ear. Drunk or loaded audience members might grab a neck or headstock as they stumble across you while you're moving through the crowd if the green room isn't behind the stage. Believe me. It's a pain to be out of tune when you switch on the amp and the crowd is stoked and ready. The second instrument is paramount. Stuff happens. Strings break. Even new strings. I played bass hard, and broke strings regularly... and I played my Precisions with the bridge and pickup covers on like they were designed back then. Changing strings means a screwdriver removing two tiny screws to remove the cover. Changing strings can't happen during the set. One time later, in the 90s, I broke a string on a Gibson Thunderbird I had, and the bridge saddles float..... it fell off into the darkness on a stage in France when the D string broke. I'll never forget that it was the D string. The Jazz wasn't my favorite bass, but it was a lifesaver that night. A second instrument on a stand has to be there, and in tune. All the other stuff makes sense, even with roadies moving your gear. Extra strings, and extra cord even if you use a wireless. In some towns, there's interference to the point the wireless just won't work. Have a cord or two on hand. I don't share this story often, but I crossed the Mississippi River for soundcheck across from New Orleans one evening when I was 21 (in 1978), and forgot my vintage Precision. No one had hands on it except for me. Girlfriend was really hot and there was business to finish, but me dashing across the river without an instrument would have been a big deal if it was the gig. Always remember your instrument when going to the gig. Knowing the material backward and forward or in your sleep is a no-brainer. You don't play for money if you don't know the stuff you're going to play. ....and if you're playing for money, have a contract and know what you're being paid, even if it's a split at the door. After you've played a while, you won't be happy just to be playing at some dump. They have to pay you. If it's a local club and it's the door or split, bring your own guy with a clicker to count heads if you draw more than fifty or a hundred people. Some club owners will short you, even if you sell the place out of beer that night. Playing music is fun, but it's a shitty business. Good luck!

Another great vid and final comments. All the best to you and your daughter

Damien you’re the best-You always put me in a good mood. Keep up the great work!

Some great tips here thanks. For an optimum performance, we really need to do pre checks like airline pilots . We can crash and burn like them but in the mental sense rather than physical. We are both moving air as well.

Playing standing up is such good advice and if you're on vocals too then with the mic stand even if you don't actually sing. Remember getting a new straight stand for my Elvis mic only to find everytime I moved around I kept just touching the strings on the stand - took me ages to work out where the wierd sound was coming from!!

Great advice......I have played out 50 years and love your vids...Don't forget extra wall warts for your effects (or your band mates who need one fast) ....extra tuner batteries. and for buskers, make sure to keep battery powered amps fully charged......maybe even a backup power cell on hand.....rok on man.....

BTW, given this video, I can't be the only one here that would be up for a couple of videos of "Damian Bacci: Stories from the Rockabilly Road." Good stuff.

Nice presentation and good advice. Funny too!

Nice to see you up and running

Great advice especially arrive early for a parking space 👍

Great vid mate!

I always forget the band’s sign. We hang it behind us and forget it. One time we were at the state fair and had no way to get it back. A friend of the band had access and surprised us with its safe return. Great video!

I played a gig in a town 65 miles away...I was the sound man. And fortunately, the guy who turned me on to this. We played 2 nights. The first night, there were words between a 'noted' singer and a jazz guitarist who was a helluva lot better than the singer...but the singer wasn't having it. Night 2 The pot blew up. And in the middle of the 1st set, 2nd song and these two agreed to take a break together...the singer had an eye more black than his skin color. Which was what the gig was all about. And all of a sudden I'm called up to play. And most of the set list was old Motown, Mustang, Memphis, and Southern Soul music. I was long out of that stage and was working on a progressive sound...far removed from Smokey and the Isley Bros. But, I got paid. And I discovered I could play just about any genre I wanted. That was 1981 and 32 years later, I have no problem stepping up and laying it down. Great Content here Damian. Trust Readers, Dude knows his BIZNESS! 🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻

Sound advice. I'd add an amp stand, multitool, spare power supply for your pedal board, since not all pedals can use batteries these days, spare tuner, clothes pegs (if you use a music stand), duct tape of course, fresh shirt or 2 depending how many sets,

Ahh, I remember playing live. Looks like you're having fun, Damian!

A multi tool, zip ties, duct tape. If you use wireless make sure there is no interference with your signal ( it happens) and keep a cable nearby just in case. Extra pics, extra slides if you use glass. Heck just have a backup for everything, Murphy will visit your gig at some point

Hi Damien - agree with all of your tips. All I'd add is, put the key of the number on the setlist.

Your joy in music is contagious, brother! God bless. Btw, a pointer for you: install the Vibramate Spoiler in all your Bigsby equipped guitars; it will make stringing them so much easier. I have two.

Great video with good tips Damian. I would like to add the tip of having some spare plectrum within reach during the gig. And a little light for your pedalboard or so would be very usefull in a dark bar or club. Thanks for your video's Damian. Greetings from Holland.

I’d like to add : know exactly what’s in the contract. Nothing will ruin a good gig like spending the rest of the night arguing money with the club. Also KNOW what gear is going to be there. No where near as much of a problem now (modern PAs are amazing). But, I once walked into a gig being told it was a intimate outdoor thing, we where a five piece acoustic folk band so no amplification needed, and it turned out to be a 300 plus town hall thing, they had a portable PA with 4 inputs and two mics… two of us ended the night on a table in the middle of the room playing acoustically as loud as we could. Now I pretty much want to know the models of equipment that’s waiting for me at gigs. 😂 gotta love it!

Hope you are doing well after the storm

Hi Damian, thank you for sharing your tips on what to bring and stressing to arrive early based on your own personal experience. I hate to say it but, just this weekend I gathered up my stuff to play a few simple songs for my family for the first time. I recently bought another new electric guitar of which they had never seen. So, here I am asking myself, "Okay, what all do I bring even to the smallest of gigs?" Even though it was just for family, I treated it as though I was getting ready for a few hundred. Thanks again to taking the time to record, edit and post this video. Sincerely, Tim 🎸 Keep rockin!😎

As an aging guitarist, cramp in the hands is a very real painful thing especially playing a lot of barre chords in a very hot environment. You lose a lot of water and electrolytes and if cramp hits your hands, make sure you have plenty of water and electrolyte tablets. They really work.

Put your name and contact information on your equipment and stuff

Lot of us play small gigs with set lists on electronic devices. Have a backup list or backup tabs on your phone too. If a device or app fails you can still play. Also if you have a guest play who needs something to reference it’s easy to hand him/her something. Also if you print set lists put the key next to the song name. Especially good for players sitting in when your regular band mate is out.

Great advice, Damian, and, as usual, you're an awesome inspiration!

Happy Labor Day Damian! informative content as always, and enjoyable too! sending along my best to you and yours 🤠

you should come rock Cincinnati!

Excellent advice.

❤❤❤j adore . Merci aux USA pour sa richesse musicale 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🎉

All great tips.

String butler for a Bigsby is a great invention.

Sound advice, thanks

Great advice .

ln my gig bag I take a Vox mv 50 micro head as well as one of those cheapy pedal effect striips (Sonic Cake) that have at least overdrive, reverb and delay... because frankly I 've had pedalboards fail due to issues and having to play bone dry is not my prefered way to get the job done... the small vox head can just be plugged into either the speaker in my combo amp or can even be routed to the front of house if they have a stage box or a D.I. ... I may have to play through monitors but it's better than nothing ... as always another great video with plenty of tips for all players from newcomers to seasoned pros....

I always have a bunch of fuses, a fuse holder cover (bass players amp lost the cap), alligator clips, banana to 1/4 adapters, xlr to 1/4. Random tools, a couple wood screws (saved when bass players strap holder fell out). Seems i am always saving the bass player. Lol

I would add : At the gig, make the sound tech your best friend of the day : - Everyone is on stage and ready at the begining of the sound check. - Everyone stays until the end of the sound check. - Play only when he/she says. - Don't rehearse during sound check (or only if you dealed it before). - Ask for monitor mix changes in an ordered manner (not everyone at the same time ;-) ) It'll make a quick and easy sound check for a better show. If everything goes well, don't forget to thank him/her at the end.

Muchisimas gracias Damián Bacci, eres un genio❤

Tip, play stereo. Sounds nice and you always have a spare amp.

My band always tries to get to venue at least 2 hours before the start. Sorry to hear about losing that rocking gig Damian.. I would also say be very careful on the load out, because it's usually dark so black things can be forgotten. I left an orange tiny terror head, in his black case, outside a venue 10 years ago. Luckily a passerby left it at the venue.

I find that it's a good idea to leave the tube amps at home and bring a solid state amp. Much less can go wrong. Also if you amp uses fuses bring along a couple of spares. I also make sure I have a picture of my guitar's serial number in my phone just in case I need to prove it's mine.

Sei un grandissimo DAMIAN congratulations ❤❤❤yeah chapeau

Incredible

Cool shirt!

I'd add, find out how long you are expected to play and finish within your allotted time. Particularly true if you are on a multi-band bill. Don't overstay your welcome. Also, (this is maybe just a Chicago small-scale punk rock thing) if you're the local act, try to give a portion of your door money to the touring band. They can always use some gas money.

Do you use pedals? I use three ... a delay, compressor and tuning pedal. I created a board using velcro so i can quickly take it iur ofy bag, plug the board into the amp and the guitar into the board. I also have a master power jaxk yhet the pedals plug onto on yhe board so i just plug one power cord into an outlet tbat pkwers thr whole boatd. Makes it auper fast

Loved the advice! I'm still curious about your fave delay pedal.

Great video! Thanks!

Words of wisdom 👍

I practice at home with the TV and sometimes ALSO the radio on. If you can play with all that distraction then the distractions at the show will be easy.

I enjoyed this gig rundown. I struggle getting that awesome rockabilly tone that you get. Do you run your tone and volumes on full on your guitar? Which pickup position do you use? I'm going round the twist trying to sound like you. Oh,I have a 6120. 🤝

Hey Damian, what do you do about bad venue grounding?

You left out the most important thing! Always get paid! Back in the 70's we had "our guy" collect the money before the lights dimmed out. If it looked sketchey, we would get paid before the sound check. Second most important thing in a new building is to find the main breaker panel and determine if you have enough power. I have pulled out old fuses and replaced them with copper tubing just to keep the lights on. If things were funky we would set up and turn on every amp, all the lights etc during the sound check to see if all the circuits held the load.

Demais meu amigo: "somzeira!!!"

Hi Damian, I have the Gretsch, 6120 with Diarmond single coils but can’t seem to get that twangy sound. Must I have reverb or delay slap back; is that how they did it in the fifties? Thank you

Damian Great Video. What model guitar is that you are using in this video?

I always bring ear plugs and extra picks.

Great advice! What amp do you use the most for your gigs?

Epic KREATOR shirt \m/\m/

thank a lot

Don't argue with other band members on stage. Especially drummers.

"Input jack"? Nothing goes 'in" there. That would be an output Jack.

Is that a coffin shaped ⚰️ flight case for your guitar?? Or is it for something else? It looks kinda thick for a guitar case. I guess if it's for hallow bodys.

Have you used wireless, they can be affordable lately, but are they reliable!?

Don’t forget an extra set of sticks for the drummer who left their stick bag on top their car when they left for the gig. An extra strap never hurts as well, for the forgetful bassist or guitarist.🎸

the time your band mate was really late you should have just played without them......that really impresses people/club owners when you can and do adapt to problems......with rockabilly music especially you can and they did play it without a drummer......if it was the bassist that was late the guitarist if he's really good could make up for it on guitar.......

Bananas and nuts! Take some food.

Duct Tape!!!

Extra promo kits for other club owners/promotes who may just happen to be in the audience.

Hi Damian, thank you for the informative video with great tips. I have tinnitus and was wondering if you have any recommendations for special earplugs to use during gigs? I would appreciate your thoughts on this.🦻🎸

Great advice.