Loading Gear

As I write this I'm watching the light play on the Adelaide Hills as the sun sets on Saturday 23 June. The Negotiators play at the Finsbury for someone's fortieth later this evening. Private show.

I spent a couple hours this afternoon helping steve get the band's gear down to the pub. It's a pretty big job for one person so I was pleased to assist. I got to his place around 2:30, and the last of the gear was on the stage in the pub by just after 3:30. Yes, we get to play on a stage for the second gig in a row!

To give the uninitiated an idea of what's involved, the following is a bit of a list of what has to be moved into the van then into the venue then set up then dismantled then packed back into the van and then moved into its storage place until next used.

P.A. system

2 x front of house speakers (heavy) and stands
3 x foldback speakers
1 x mixing desk (heavy - fragile) and fold up table
1 x CD player and CD collections (fragile - for intervals)
6 x microphone stands
2 boxes of mikes and cables
3 bags of cords and cables

Lighting

4 x boxed lamps (fragile)
1 x light rig poles
1 x 'magic light projector' (fragile
5 x extension leads plus powerboard

Musical gear

2 x music stands
1 x guitar rack
3 x guitars
1 x effects box
1 x Marshall speaker box (wheeled)
1 x Marshall head
1 x Bass amp
1 x Laney guitar amp

Drums

1 x Bass drum assembly
1 x Stool
2 x cymbals and stands
1 x snare drum
1x tom drum

General

1 x 'Negotiators' sign

To give an idea of the contents of the boxes and bags - there's something like 6 mikes and associated leads. Terry once measured the length of cabling on stage when fully rigged. Came to something like 200m. It's a lot of gear!

Barry and myself each bring our own instruments, and I bring a crate of 'goodies' which also acts as a stand for the Laney amp.

And yes, I am aware that I put the drums under a different category to 'musical gear'!