Summer Gigs survival guide: How to play outdoor summer gigs

How to play summer gigs? For many professional and part-time musicians alike, summer is the busiest time of the year. Whether you’re playing in hotels, big camping sites, town squares, or music festivals, high temperatures and high air humidity can make your gigs extremely exhausting and at times unbearable.

Preparing for these gigs is essential for leaving an unforgettable and professional experience for the mixed crowd that attends these concerts. Preparation and guidelines to follow during summer gigs can streamline your summer gigs instead of having to struggle during the heat.

In this article, we’ll share some of the main tips for playing these gigs so that you and your band will give your best and at the same time stay relaxed and full of energy for the next concert under the blazing sun. These essential tips and tricks are brought to you by someone who has experienced most of the pros and cons of summer outdoor gigging.

Get prepared to rock this summer!

Types of summer gigs

Hotels and camping sites

These gigs are less demanding than other types due to the fact that the audience is there for their holidays and your band is kind of a side-show for them. They are there regardless of which band is playing. But that doesn’t mean you can just play lifeless gigs and get away with it.

You always have to play the best you can. The thing is that you don’t have to run around like Axel Rose during a hot summer night at a venue where people are having dinner and kids are jumping all over the place. Being calm-minded and saving your energy is what you should be aiming at.

Outdoor clubs and bars

Clubs and bars are very different to play compared to hotels. If you’re not putting on a great, or at least a decent show, some guests might leave. That is not what the manager wants. The club wants to sell lots of drinks and possibly food and it wants you to make the guests have a good time.

So, preparing for this type of summer gig needs more boxes checked from the tips section of this article.

Summer festivals

Playing summer festivals or town squares are the hardest type of summer gigs. People that come to these gigs are coming to see you. Preparation is essential so nothing goes wrong. Excessive heat can easily lead to technical mistakes that otherwise wouldn’t occur.

The good thing about this type of summer gig is that if you’re good, the crowd reacts in the best possible way. That is gold. This will make you forget about the heat and make it much easier to play.

The good thing about playing outdoor events is that many people just passing by get to see you play. And if they like your show, you get new fans.

Tips for playing summer gigs: The essential list

1. Stay hydrated

Hydration is essential. When heat rises above normal levels, energy can be lost very fast. Being a musician can be very exhausting, especially during hot summer evenings. To prevent low levels of hydration musicians just like anyone else working in the summer heat should drink small amounts of water steadily throughout the day. Avoid alcohol and drinks containing caffeine.

Also don’t forget to drink water during gigs. Have a sip between every 3 or 4 songs to prevent heat exhaustion. Never start a gig without a bottle of water by your side.

2. Use sun protection

We usually think of sun protection when going to the beach, which is wrong. Apply sun protection at least half an hour before going to the stage in summer. If we are doing the setup, put on some more sunscreen before the show. If you spend an hour or more setting up your band’s gear in the scorching sun, the sweat will wash out all of the first applied sun protection.

3. Choose appropriate clothing

Opt for lightweight, breathable, and light-colored fabrics if possible. Tight clothing can be your enemy during summer gigs, it will trap heat and keep airflow at the minimum.

Don’t forget to count on the time needed to change from your setup clothes into your stage clothes. Arrive at the venue early enough so you don’t have to rush when changing clothes.

If your act can handle it, protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunglasses or a hat.

4. Acclimatize to the heat

It’s important to acclimatize your body to the summer heat before getting out of your car. Before arrival gradually increase your car’s air conditioning’ temperature so you don’t get shocked by the outdoor temperature.

5. Optimize your setlists

When playing hotels and laidback gigs no one expects you to play upbeat songs during the whole gig. Prepare different setlists for different types of venues to avoid losing energy where it isn’t necessary.

Include more instrumentals than usual for summer gigs. This is a great way to get your voice the rest it needs between songs that are hard to sing. The same goes for ballads.

6. Take advantage of shade

Whenever it is possible, place your band in a shaded area and take into consideration where the shade will move during your performance. If there is no shade ask the venue if they can provide an umbrella or pop-up tent for your band.

The venue doesn’t always consider these things because they are focused on other things. They sometimes just don’t have the time to think about these details. This is common for places that don’t have regular gigs. Ask and you will be given. Don’t forget, your instruments do not like direct sunlight. If you can’t keep your instruments out of the sunlight you can always put them in their cases before the concert.

7. Check the venue in advance

Get familiar with the venue before starting with anything. How to get to the restrooms, where and who to ask for water, and where can the band change clothes needs to be clear before you start with setup. This will avoid confusion and stress during the evening which is not unusual for extreme conditions like high temperature and humidity.

8. Prepare for potential bad weather

Summer gigs equal potential sudden weather changes. Summer has always been a time of year when the weather can suddenly change from sunny with no wind at all to heavy rain with winds that can literally blow the whole stage away.

Be prepared, always look at the weather forecast before leaving for a gig. If there is a possibility of a storm, inform the venue and ask for a slightly different position for your band so that you can either easily move indoors or be at least protected from possible rain and wind.

Coordinate with your band members so that if bad weather conditions occur everyone knows what their assignment is.

9. Food

During extreme heatwaves incorporate a light and fresh diet. Fruits, lots of vegetables, and fish are always welcome on your plate when it’s extremely hot. By all means avoid eating fried, greasy meals before a show when playing summer gigs.

10. Talk to the audience

During heat waves, the audience is dealing with the extreme conditions not just your band. Engage with your audience, don’t be afraid of commenting on the heat, and make jokes if you feel like it. This way the crowd will feel a connection and empathy for the band and it will be much easier to play the concert.

Conclusion

Summer gigs are not sunglasses, cocktails, or worrying about a thing in the world. It requires careful preparation for your physical and mental well-being to deal with extreme conditions. The tips in this article are meant to be a guideline that can help you endure the harsh temperatures so that your band always performs at its best.

Get additional rest, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet before summer gigs. Choose songs that are tailored for specific types of venues. By focusing on these simple tips you will be prepared to rock the stage summer after summer.