Venues remember two kinds of bands: the ones that were a problem and the ones that weren't. Being in the second group is almost entirely about logistics and manners. None of it costs anything.
Before the show
- Confirm a week out. One email: "Still good for Saturday? We'll be there at load-in, 4 of us, stage plot attached again." That one email gets you remembered as organized.
- Promote it. Post the flyer, make the event, tell people. Venues see who shows up for whom.
- Know the set length you were given and build a set that fits with a minute to spare. Not a minute over.
Load-in
- Be on time. Early is fine. Late means someone else's soundcheck gets cut, and they'll know why.
- Park where you're told. Then move the van before doors.
- Stack your gear in one spot off the stage until it's your turn. Don't spread across the room.
- Introduce yourself to the sound engineer by name. Hand them the printed stage plot. Ask what they need from you.
Soundcheck
- Play when asked, stop when asked. Soundcheck is not a rehearsal.
- Ask for what you need in the monitors clearly and once: "A little more vocal, less guitar." Then trust them.
- Don't noodle between songs while they're working. It's the fastest way to get a bad mix.
Changeover
This is where you earn the invite back. The band after you is waiting.
- Pull your gear off the stage first, then break it down off to the side.
- Have your cables wrapped and cases ready before your set ends.
- 10 minutes is a good changeover. 15 is okay. 25 is a problem.
Your set
- Start on time. End on time. If you're running long, cut a song, not the headliner's set.
- Thank the venue, the other bands, and the sound engineer from the stage. By name if you can.
- Mention the merch table once.
After
- Stay for the headliner. Leaving right after your set is the single most common complaint bookers have about openers.
- Settle up politely. Count the money, say thanks, don't argue about the door count in front of the crowd. If something was wrong, email the next day.
- Load out quietly. Neighbors call the venue, not you.
- Send a thank-you email the next day. Two lines. Nobody does this. You'll stand out.
The one rule
Treat the sound engineer and the bar staff better than you treat the booker. They're the ones who get asked "how were they?"