Being a musician sounds glamorous until you’re rolling cables at midnight and dodging kangaroos on the highway.
Here’s what a real gig night looks like — no roadies, no flashing lights, just the grind, the fun, and everything in between.
What does a typical club gig involve? Read on and I’ll walk you through it — from packing the car to unpacking it again. (Note: This doesn’t include the business side of gigs like invoicing, learning songs, maintaining gear, etc.)
Let’s take one of my regular gigs in Parkes as an example.
Parkes is about an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from my place. The club has me starting at 7:30pm and finishing at 10:30pm.
The Load-Up
I begin packing my car with music gear around 3:30pm – 4pm.
I have a “Tetris-style” load-in system that’s consistent every week so I don’t forget anything (and believe me, I have forgotten plenty — guitars, mic stands, cables… you name it). I triple-check the load before I leave to make sure everything is there.
After loading the car (and topping up the fuel tank), I have a shower, get dressed for the gig, and aim to leave my house by 5pm. I plan to arrive at the club just after 6pm, ideally before 6:15pm. This gives me enough time to find parking and trolley my equipment into the venue. If I know there might be roadworks, bad weather, or anything that could delay the trip, I’ll leave earlier.
Setup and Soundcheck
Once I trolley my gear to the stage, I start setting up.
These days, my rig is much simpler than it used to be, and setup takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on whether I bring extra lighting.
I set up the PA system first, run the power cables, then connect signal cables, set up the microphones, effects pedal, guitar, and so on. Once everything’s plugged in and powered up, I do a quick sound check to make sure all systems are go.
The Pre-Show Routine
I don’t usually eat before I play (singers will know why) but occasionally I’ll grab a small meal if time allows. Most times I finish sound check about 20 minutes before start time — not really enough time to order, wait, eat, and settle. So usually, I go without.
Showtime!
7:30pm hits, and it’s time to get on stage and entertain the crowd! I’ll play until 10:30pm, with a couple of short breaks along the way.
On my breaks, I generally try not to talk too much. I’ve been called a “snob” for this before, but there’s a real reason — I need to rest my voice. I can’t belt out the rockers like I used to, and saving my voice between sets is crucial just to get through the night.
If someone comes over, I’m happy to have a quick chat — but if you see me sitting quietly during breaks, please don’t take it personally. I’m just looking after the only “instrument” I can’t replace. (That said, after the gig is finished, I’m always up for a chat!)
Pack-Down and Homeward Bound
After I finish at 10:30pm, it’s time to pack up. Cables are rolled and neatly organized into cases, guitars packed away, PA disassembled — everything back onto the trolley and into the car.
Pack-down usually takes about 30–40 minutes, depending on whether I’m chatting or handing out business cards at the end of the night.
Once the car’s loaded, I hit the road. I usually leave Parkes around 11pm and get home somewhere between 12am and 12:30am.
On the drive back, I slow down a little — kangaroos tend to be out and about at that time of night, and you definitely don’t want to hit one.
The Wind-Down
Once I’m home, I unload the gear into my music room — a quick 5-minute job — then I usually watch TV or mindlessly scroll on my laptop or phone for a while. It’s hard to come straight down after a gig — you’re still wired from the energy of the night — so I usually don’t fall asleep until around 2am.
Then it’s sleep… and often, wake up and do it all over again the next day.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — a typical club gig from start to finish!
Obviously, depending on the venue, start and finish times, or other circumstances, things can vary a little.
Weddings, for example, are a whole different beast — way longer days and way more prep work involved.
But that’s a story for another blog… stay tuned!