Planning Live Gigs During COVID

Here we are, it is summer, and most musicians would be hot and heavy into their summer tours and festival season.

Instead we are scheduling streaming events, working on new creative projects, learning new tech platforms, and thinking about how to do live shows again.

Well before you gather the band in the basement or garage for rehearsal, why not think about all that is involved in the logistics for the health and safety of your group, the venue staff, and for any audience members.

Here are a few things to consider:

From your side:

1. If you are getting together with group, have you asked each one about their personal contacts with others in their world. Have they been tested for COVID or had any contact with anyone who has actually had COVID?

2. Do you have an outdoor space for rehearsal, so they are not coming into your home or you going into someone else’s home or studio?

3. Are you clear about the size of the audience expected if there will be one? Has the venue made physical distancing arrangements within their venue for the audience? Get this information in advance of agreeing to do any in-venue gig. I’m hearing too many stories from artists who expected one thing at a live gig and found themselves in a compromising situation unlike the original description.

4. Have you worked out plans with the venue for your comfort and safety during load in, load out, sound check, and use of dressing rooms and rest rooms?

5. Are you using your own sound equipment and bringing your own mics specifically?

6. Load your own instruments and equipment rather than have any staff personnel do it for you.

7. When advancing the gig, make sure you discuss these items with the venue and the sound person if they are doing the tech.

8. Make sure the size of the stage gives the group enough distancing space.

9. For the non-singers or wind instrument players, plan on wearing masks. Make it a habit and be safe. If your group includes any wind instruments, you may need to reconfigure your stage set up so their aerosols are not blowing in the direction of other players. I know, new things to consider.

10. Write up a simple Health & Safety Rider that you can send in advance to the venue and spell out your concerns, your expectations and what you intend to on your end. It can be in the form of a letter or a list of bullet-points, but spell it out in advance.

Next week I’ll share some of the considerations from the venue’s perspective.

For now, though, if you are transitioning to some form of live, streaming or even pre-recorded presentation, think through all your options and tech requirements before venturing out or inking the deal. Be vigilant about how to do your best performance and remain safe and healthy within any environment you choose to perform. Take the time you need to understand each situation. Be instructive with your buyers. Be inquisitive about their unique scenario. I know you are excited to get back out there doing the work you were put on this earth to do, but do it without compromising your health and the heath of those you perform with and interact with in your life.

Stay well, be creative, remain energized and keep smiling behind your mask!

Jeri

Are you planning and types of gigs this summer? What are you doing to plan safely?

Leave me a comment below.

I can’t wait to hear about your success.

Thanks to Carol Ehrlich for this week’s Graphic Image, Planning Live gigs During COVID.
Check out her work at v360.com

Now, Thanks to the Band Curfew from the UK for providing the Biz Booster theme Music, Future Dance.

And for more career boosting tips, articles, books, resources, tele-seminars and online courses, visit me at Performingbiz.com