Load In

The term “hurry up and wait” may have been created for the “load in” process for an event or concert.  The band has to be there to set up instruments.  But often most of us sit and wait for hours while the stage, sound, and lights are set up by the folks hired to get everything ready before the sound check.  When I use the  word “hours” I am not exaggerating. It’s part of the process. Those who think that traveling and playing concerts, events, etc. is glamorous have obviously not sat in an empty building waiting for the stage to be set up, wires to be connected, or lights to be strung or adjusted. You can’t go anywhere because you don’t know when you’ll be needed, so you wait. 

​I’m “wired” to be productive and not waste time. I do what I can such as set up the keyboard, help with any other set up if I can be useful. I usually print multiple set lists to distribute to anyone who forgot theirs or for the folks at the sound board. However it is common to sit and wait for hours. This is part of it. All of the above-described preparation MUST take place.  Be patient. 

Thank you to the sound/light crews and all who spend hours laboriously creating an atmosphere for the performers to shine.