GIG BAG ESSENTIALS

Avoid emergencies with these problem solvers

Gaffa tape

Use it for everything, from attaching picks to your mic stand, fixing down cables, keeping your set list in place, minor repairs to stands. A roll of Gaffa tape - the webbed kind allows you to rip it without scissors

– is a do-it-all life saver in a live environment.

Torch

If you’ve ever found yourself trying to work out a problem with your rig on a dark stage, you’ll know the importance of a torch. Yes, you can use your phone, but as always, having a dedicated solution is preferable.

Strings

You’re going to break your strings, and you can bet the farm that it’ll be during a gig. Keep plenty of spares, particularly for the higher three, and even if your spare guitar - you remembered a spare, right? - fails, you’ll be able to sort it out asap. The same applies to cables and batteries.

Guitar tools

We’re not suggesting you bring a tech workstation and offer setups during the break, but at least have the correct screwdrivers, spanner/pliers and Allen keys required for your guitar in case something comes loose. A dedicated guitar tool will get you out of the danger zone for most problems.

Marker pen

Buy marker pens and keep them in multiple gear cases. That way you can definitely write out your set list, but also when your singer decides you need to drop a song, change a key or add in a last minute arrangement change you can make a note of it. Of course, you’ll need some paper to write on too...

Adaptors

Wouldn’t it be great if everything was compatible with everything else? From headphone sockets to auxiliary inputs, you’ll quickly amass a collection of adaptors and cables, and even if you don’t think you’ll need them, not having them can scupper an important connection. So keep those mini- jack-jack plugs, iphone headphone cables, XLR-JACK converters and anything else handy.