July 7, 2026
Your first gig: the checklist I wish I had
The night before your first gig is too late to find out the venue's mixer has no USB slot. Here is the exact checklist I run before every booking.
Ask the venue three questions
1. What player and mixer models are installed? 2. Who controls the sound limiter, and at what level does it trip? 3. When can I sound-check?
Pack redundancy, not gear
Two USB sticks, exported twice, from two different laptops if you can. A 3.5mm-to-RCA cable has saved more nights than any expensive controller.
Plan the first ten minutes only
You cannot plan a whole night — the room decides. But the first ten minutes are yours: know your opening track, your second track, and the energy you refuse to exceed before midnight.