Hosting a band is much simpler than it seems. A few things to check beforehand, and on the day you just enjoy it. In a hurry? Our quick checklist fits on one page.
1. Placement
For a quartet, allow about 6 by 4 metres. A trio just fits in 3 by 2 metres, a solo even less. A slightly raised stage is ideal, but a flat floor works very well.
Placement is decided beforehand: email photos of the venue to the person handling your event so they can picture it. It is often fine-tuned on the day, during setup. It should suit the event: facing the dance floor, not in a corridor, not right by the kitchen door. And during a cocktail, near the bar: that is where guests gather, and they rarely move away.
2. Power and volume
One power socket is enough: we bring our own extension strips. Two, one on each side of the stage, is ideal to keep cables tidy. The important part: it must not be shared with the caterer or other suppliers. An oven switching on on the same circuit, and the power cuts mid-concert.
Also ask the venue about sound levels: is there a decibel limit, a limiter, neighbours to consider?
3. Sound and lights
- The venue or agency has its own supplier: they set up sound and lights from our technical rider. This is the option that lets us give our best artistic performance: we arrive free of all the technical side, confident, and we can give everything on stage.
- Nothing in place: we bring in our technical partner, with stage, sound, lights and a technician.
- Self-contained: we bring our own sound system. This works very well up to the quartet, in simpler conditions. It just has less of the wow factor of a real production, with its lights, stage and high-end professional sound.
Our technical riders can be downloaded: send them straight to your venue or supplier.
4. Timing
We usually arrive three hours before the performance: about an hour of setup, then 30 to 45 minutes of soundcheck. Those three hours already include a comfortable margin. A realistic schedule benefits everyone, including us: we have our own preparation before we leave.
At JamBag, we are punctual. If something on the road were to delay us, we always warn the client and the supplier, and our head start means the concert is never at risk. If you let us know, we can also set up very quickly for a fast changeover.
5. Soundcheck
Soundchecks are loud. They need to happen before guests arrive, or while the room is empty. Let us know if a conference or a quiet ceremony is happening right next door during setup: we won't be able to soundcheck then.
If the schedule really doesn't allow it, we do a lightning soundcheck: each musician quickly sets their monitors, then the sound engineer fine-tunes live during the first songs. Not ideal, but we have done it several times, and it works very well.
6. Meals and welcome
- Musicians' meals are normally provided by the venue or caterer. If not, let us know: we add it to the costs. Dietary requirements are listed in our technical riders.
- A space to change and leave instrument cases, and water during the show.
- Details for unloading and parking.
Unsure about your venue? Send us its name, a few photos and its constraints: we will tell you right away what to plan.
Carl, for JamBag
