What you need for your first solo gig

So you’ve gotten comfortable playing guitar in public, maybe even played some open mics – what’s next? It’s time to play your first solo gig. 

Here’s what you will need to play a solo gig: 

A setlist 

Whether you’re playing original songs or covers, a good rule of thumb is to have about 20 songs prepared per hour of performance time. Having enough songs ready gives you some flexibility to play songs that you think your audience will prefer, as well as give you options for encore songs if they want to hear more! 

Print your setlist out ahead of time so you can glance at it as needed. 

An iPad or lyrics binder (if you need it) 

In a perfect world, you’d be able to memorize all the songs you’ll be performing. However, having a binder or iPad with your lyrics and chords is a good backup plan – especially if you’re performing songs you need a little bit of help remembering. 

Your instrument and a cable 

Self-explanatory! Make sure your guitar is in good condition and doesn’t need a change of strings. Also, it’s a good idea to pack picks, capos, and backup strings just in case. If your guitar requires batteries, pack extra. 

Sound equipment 

Make sure you communicate with the venue ahead of your gig. Some venues provide sound equipment, and some require you to bring your own. 

Here’s a list of what you’ll need if the venue doesn’t provide a sound system: 

• A microphone (Shure SM-58 is the standard) 
• Microphone stand 
• An active PA speaker with at least two inputs 
• An XLR cable 

This is the bare minimum equipment list. It will allow you to plug your instrument directly into the PA speaker as well as your vocal mic, and adjust the levels as you see fit. You may prefer to bring a separate amplifier for your instrument, or get a PA system with a mixing board to plug into to get better control over your sound. It’s also a good idea to get a small monitor so that you can hear yourself.

Extra cables

It never hurts to carry a couple of extra XLR or quarter-inch cables with you, even if your venue provides sound. 

Set-up time 

Try to arrive at least an hour before your gig to give yourself plenty of time to set-up, warm up your vocals and fingers, and tune your instrument. Not rushing to get ready will ensure that you can be relaxed and give your best performance! 

Check out these other tips to make sure your gig is a success!