Every band has a story about the night someone forgot the snare stand, the merch box, or the power supply for the pedalboard. A solid gig checklist ends those stories. The bands that look effortless onstage are not lucky; they pack from the same list every single show, so nothing depends on memory. Use this master list, adapt it to your lineup, and tape a copy inside your gear cases.
Instruments and personal gear
Each player owns their section of the list:
- Guitarists and bassists: instrument, backup instrument if you have one, cables (two minimum), tuner, picks, strap, spare strings, string winder and cutters, and any pedals plus their power supplies.
- Drummers: snare, cymbals, kick pedal, throne, sticks (many), drum key, and felts and wing nuts. Even at backline gigs, "breakables" are usually on you.
- Singers: your own mic if you prefer one, plus your own cable and any in-ear monitors.
- Keys players: keyboard, stand, bench, sustain pedal, and DI box if you have one.
A rule worth adopting: if a piece of gear would end your set when it fails, bring a spare or a workaround.
Backline spares and tools
These are cheap, small, and the difference between a five-minute fix and a cancelled set:
- Spare cables: instrument, speaker, and XLR
- Fresh strings and at least one spare tube or fuse if you run a tube amp
- Extra sticks, picks, and drum heads (snare and kick)
- 9V batteries for pedals and active pickups
- Gaffer tape, electrical tape, and zip ties
- A multi-tool, flashlight or headlamp, and extension cords
- Power strip and a spare power supply for critical pedals
Keep all of it in one labeled "show kit" bin that never gets raided between gigs.
Merch and sales gear
Merch is often the most profitable part of a small gig, so treat it professionally:
- Stock, counted before you leave and again when you pack up
- A card reader (Square or similar), fully charged, plus a backup battery
- Cash box with small bills for change
- Price list or display sign
- Table, tablecloth, and a clip-on light, venue merch areas are often dark
- Mailing list signup sheet or a QR code linking to your list and socials
For what to stock and how to price it, the band merchandise guide goes deep.
Admin and paperwork
The boring items that save the night:
- Setlists: printed or taped copies for each member, plus one for the monitor engineer.
- Settlement sheet: a note of the deal (guarantee, door split, expenses) so getting paid is a check, not a negotiation.
- Contact info: the booker's and sound engineer's phone numbers, saved offline.
- Directions, load-in time, and parking details for the venue.
- ID and any required permits, and cash for tolls and parking.
- If you are advancing the date properly, most of this comes from the advance; the tour planning checklist pairs well for out-of-town gigs.
The night-before routine
Do not pack on show day. The evening before:
- Charge everything: phones, card reader, batteries, rechargeable gear.
- Pack the car or van completely, checking items off the printed list as they go in.
- Put the settlement sheet, setlists, and venue details in one folder or your phone's notes.
- Confirm load-in time with the venue by text.
- Set alarms with buffer, and agree on a departure time with the band.
A shared checklist in a group chat or notes app keeps everyone honest; the band communication tips article has more on building habits like this.
The van check
For anything beyond a local gig, the vehicle is part of the gear: oil and coolant checked, tires at the right pressure including the spare, jumper cables, and a phone charger that lives in the van. A breakdown with a trailer full of gear costs more than any maintenance ever will.
Getting started this week
- Build your band's master checklist from the sections above and save it where everyone can see it.
- Assemble the show kit bin with spares, tools, and tape, and label it.
- Do a full gear audit: test every cable, pedal, and power supply at rehearsal.
- Print the list and pack for your next gig the night before, start to finish.
Playing bigger rooms starts with looking like you belong in them. List your band on Bandmate and connect with other acts in your scene, from the Austin band directory to the Chicago bands directory and your hometown listings.
The checklist is unglamorous, and that is exactly why it works. Pack like a professional, and the only surprises left on show night are the good kind.
