Are You Traveling To Play A Gig? Here Are 6 Packing Tips
There is nothing quite like putting yourself out there and performing in front of an audience. When you travel for a gig, whether it's your first or your 100th time, it's exciting and you want everything to go off without a hitch. Packing for a gig can be difficult because you never fully know what to expect, but there are a few simple things you can do to make packing much easier.
1. Wrap Your Gear Up
Whether you're traveling by car, bus, train, or plane, it's important to ensure your instrument and gear are safe. While most string instruments have hard casings you can put them in, it might be a good idea to wrap it, as well as any additional gear such as a distortion pedal, in a blanket or large scarf. This will ensure no damage is done even if the vehicle is tightly packed, or you encounter a few literal or figurative bumps along the way. If you have an electric or acoustic guitar, be sure to neatly fold the cable, and pack the picks, and any other accessories you might need in your carry-on.
2. Pack Snacks And Water
When you have an hour bus ride between gigs it might be a good idea to pack snacks and water to sustain yourself throughout the journey. You'll want to make sure you eat something that will be nourishing but won't mess with your stomach or create too much noise. Crackers, granola bars, and other thin pieces of food, while they might get boring after a little while, are easy to snack on without making too much noise. You can even pack some tea or coffee to give yourself a pick-me-up while you're on the road. Having access to the right amount of hydration might be just what you need to keep yourself energized and motivated for your show that night.
3. Don't Jam Everything Into A Bag
Packing might not be the most exciting thing about the entire event, but try to resist the urge to just jam everything you can in a bag. There are ways to pack more in a single bag than you'd achieve if you were to simply throw stuff in two or more suitcases. For starters, try rolling your clothes instead of folding them. You can fit so much more in a bag if you roll your clothing and only pack what will be needed. Additionally, small toiletries such as a toothbrush and body wash might slip into pockets where they're not immediately noticeable. Tape up bottles to prevent them from spilling.
4. Bring Your Tools
Now you may be thinking this was already covered. However, there are a few secrets of the trade you might not be aware of. Making sure to bring an extension cord, some duck tape, a multi-tool, as well as some hex keys should be a priority. The extension cord will help you connect to outlets where there may not be any available, and can even help you set up your gear faster if needed. A multi-tool might come in handy if you need to make some adjustments or tighten something up, and the same goes for the hex keys. No matter how tightly you pack, there's always the possibility of things getting a little messed up during the trip. By packing a few versatile tools, you can ensure that you'll be able to handle practically every obstacle that comes your way.
5. Pack A Little Extra
You never know what might happen after a gig. Maybe a talent scout will be there, and they want to talk more tomorrow. Maybe you guys get booked for another night because you rocked the show. Or maybe you simply had a great time and want to hang out in a new city for another day. In any case, making sure you have just one more outfit than strictly necessary is advised. By doing so you'll ensure your wardrobe is complete, and you won't need to worry about what to wear the next day if someone spills a beer on you, or you simply feel like getting a fresh change of clothes after a long night.
6. Bring A First Aid Kit
It might sound over the top, but bringing a first aid kit with you on the road is an excellent idea. Any number of things might happen during your trip, and it's always better to be safe than sorry. Plus, having everything from bandaids to gauze pads means you'll probably have whatever you need to get you by even if one of your bandmates cuts themselves accidentally. The worst-case scenario is you end up not really needing it, but since first aid kits are typically very compact, there's not much of a downside to that. Playing for a long time might give you blisters, depending on what instrument you play, and having bandaids handy could really make the difference between enjoying your trip and feeling like you need to go home right away.
Of course, there are some things that are the same when it comes to packing for a gig just like for any other kind of travel. For starters, always make sure to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly. Other than that, it's really just a matter of packing your most important things and ensuring you're prepared for the unexpected. If you do this, then getting ready to play a gig should be an absolute breeze!
Hey there! My name is Wojtek and I am very happy that you came to my travel blog. I've been traveling the world for a few good years now and I still want more.
On my website I describe the adventures that have happened to me, you will also find here a collection of valuable tips for tourists and travelers. If you liked this article, be sure to leave a comment and read some more!
