You tighten your gig prep by treating every show like a pro mission: build rock-solid routines, line-check your gear and apps, and know your insurance, splitter snake, setlist, click, and IEM plan before you ever hit the stage. You walk into a wedding or club already covered with proper liability, routing, charts, and monitoring so you can stop worrying about logistics and start playing the room. Always Be Performing.
Onstage, you think like a storyteller, not just a musician: you record full shows to review your banter and flow, you decide when the click helps and when to ditch it, and you refine what makes your band distinctive so people remember your name and feel the FOMO.
Offstage, you act like a lab: you binge showcases at events like SXSW, steal the best ideas, use AI to critique rehearsals, and keep your gig bag dialed so every performance gets sharper, louder, and more undeniable.
- 00:00:00 Gig Gab 527 – Monday, March 30th, 2026
- March 30th: Take a Walk in the Park Day
- 00:01:29 What is your gig prep process?
- 00:06:55 Skylar-How does a band get a certificate of insurance for a wedding gig?
- 00:11:15 n-Brian from Durham-Do we need a splitter snake?
- 00:16:57 Bill-What Setlist App do you use?
- 00:19:39 Dan-What click track do you use live?
- 00:21:51 Dan-What about IEMs with ambient filters?
- 00:24:20 SPONSOR: Claude.ai – Ready to tackle bigger problems? Sign up for Claude today, which includes access to Claude Cowork, too, when you visit Claude.ai/giggab
- 00:27:05 I’m a band guy…how about you?
- 00:30:15 SXSW 2026 — bands seen and lessons learned:
- 00:39:43 Record yourself live, not just for the music, but for the whole show, including your banter.
- Lainey Wilson vs. John Popper and band
- 00:43:24 The stiffness of a click, vs not.
- 00:45:56 PODCAST: Rock Talk Studio Podcast
- 00:47:29 Tell people who you are, and make it distinctive.
- 00:51:54 Olight OClip Pro in your Gig Bag
- 00:54:25 Moskowizard-Use AI to evaluate your rehearsals (critical listening)
- 00:57:00 Andy-CSF-Supertone Clear
- 00:58:16 Gig Gab 527 Outtro
The post Stop Winging It: Dial In Your Show with Clicks, Setlists, Insurance, and Gig Prep – Gig Gab 527 appeared first on Gig Gab.
Dave Hamilton, a seasoned tech enthusiast, podcaster, and publisher, has dedicated the past three decades to aiding computer users globally. Known for his insightful advice and valuable product recommendations on the Mac Geek Gab podcast, Dave also enjoys an esteemed reputation as the founder of BackBeat Media, a network of fiercely independent publishers. His online publishing journey took off with The Mac Observer, an acclaimed Apple news site he co-founded in 1998 and led to its successful acquisition in 2021.
Beyond his tech-savvy persona, Dave embraces a vibrant life filled with music and family in the New Hampshire seacoast. He passionately performs with bands Bitter Pill and Fling, among other musical projects, creating a harmonic balance between his love for technology and music. Alongside his wife, Lisa, he raised their two children amidst this symphony of innovation, passion, and independent spirit, showcasing the power of embracing one's interests and using them to make a meaningful impact in the world.
