Getting Ready for Gigging - What Goes In a Singer's Go-Bag?

With vaccination efforts finally well underway here in United States, we can’t help but start thinking about getting back on stage. Like so many things, what we pack in our gig-bag will look a bit different post-pandemic. We’ll still need our cables, mics, and music, but what about those extras and personal care items?

Our solution is a go-bag - a collection of personal care items kept ready for performances that will allow you to be self-sufficient, no matter the venue or event. Regardless of the state of the world, there are always some unknown variables when heading to a gig. Will they have a green room? Is food available? Take it from someone who’s changed in their car in a parking garage before a show and done their make up in a poorly-lit bathroom only to realize they picked the wrong colors: don’t head to your gig without this kit!

Bag

This one requires little explanation. You need a bag to fit all the stuff below; something spacious, sturdy, and easy to keep organized. As much as we love a nice looking bag, prioritize function over form when picking your go-bag; pockets and zippers are a must - extra points if it’s water-proof!

Compact Mirror

While many female-identifying people keep a compact mirror on hand for makeup touch-ups, a small mirror is a must for singers of any gender identity or expression. Besides makeup touch ups, mirrors are a useful practice tool - especially for articulation exercises. Beyond that, looking your best on stage is important, whether your best is perfect makeup or some well-tousled bedhead. Keeping a compact with you let’s you perfect your look regardless of whether you have access to a mirror or green room and do the all-important teeth check, because no one wants the most memorable part of their performance to be the spinach stuck in their teeth.

Two Stainless-Steel Bottles

Why two? One for water and one for warm liquids! Why stainless steel? Stainless steel is more durable than glass, won’t leech chemicals into your beverages when exposed to heat or sunlight (we’re looking at you, plastic), is corrosion resistant, and is recyclable if it ever hits the end of its lifespan. They’re also great insulators - perfect for keeping warm beverages warm. The only downside is that you’ll have to hand wash your stainless steel bottles, but that feels like a worthy trade-off to be able to throw your go-bag in a gig bag, trunk, or down on the floor without worrying about cracks or leaks.

Metal Straw

Straws have gotten a lot of flack these last couple years. While the disposable version are an important accessibility tool for many with disabilities, reusable straws are an excellent substitute for those looking to protect their makeup while drinking or do our vocal rejuvenation exercise without creating plastic waste. Metal straws are a great solution that are safe to use with warm beverages and can go in the dishwasher, though you’ll definitely want to give them a thorough once-over with a straw cleaner before letting the dishwasher do the rest.

If you want to learn how to refresh your voice in just 3 minutes with nothing but a straw, check out our free Voice Rejuvenator program.

Food Containers and Fork

While you don’t want to perform in a food coma, you also don’t want to go on stage starving. Two reusable containers - or one segmented container - and a travel fork are go-bag essentials. They even make segmented containers with reusable cutlery that snaps into the lid (our friend Melanie’s go-to). Fill one container with watermelon or apple and the other with a hearty, ready-to-eat salad to make sure you’re sated and ready to rock.

Travel Toothbrush, Gum, or Toothpicks

Basically, you need something to clean your teeth. It’s up to you whether a travel toothbrush set, teeth-cleaning gum, toothpicks, or a combination of all three make the most sense for your lifestyle; but no one wants to be desperately trying to pick lunch out of their teeth with a fingernail while rushing to get on stage. An option that can be used without sink access is ideal.

Fresh Breath Spray

Along the lines of a toothbrush, breath spray is important to keep your hygiene at its best. Make sure the front row only smells your minty fresh breath, if anything at all!

Deodorant

Some of us get the stress sweats. As much as we’d like to think those deodorant ads are full of it, it does smell worse than exercise sweat thanks to the increased amount of protein and lipids released when your flight or fight response sets in. Keep a small travel deodorant in your bag for warm days, hot stage lights, or those particularly stinky stage-fright-sweats. We don’t recommend cologne or perfume to mask body odor; not only does it not work, but it can be irritating to other singers or band members sharing the stage with you (perfume is a fairly common allergy) and can exacerbate breathing issues.

Reusable Towelette

The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy was right: never leave home without a towel. Whether you need to mop up some sweat, wipe up a makeup mistake, or wipe down a surface, it’s important to have something other than your shirt to clean with.

Skin-Safe Disinfectant Spray

The global pandemic has shone a new light on how important sanitizing hands and surfaces are. A skin-safe disinfectant spray is crucial for keeping hands and surfaces clean. Make sure to disinfect if you shake hands with anyone; however, a contact-free introduction is probably your best option.

Clorox Wipes

While not safe for skin, disinfectant wipes are an important tool for singers in a post-COVID world. Shared equipment has always been a great way to get sick, but that’s even more true these days. Keep Clorox wipes or a generic equivalent with you to wipe down mic stands and other surfaces before and after use. Wipes are safe to use on the body/grip of a handheld mic but not on the grill/part you sing into.

Don’t use wipes on cables - the chemicals will damage the rubber coating. Make sure to bring your own microphone and clean it appropriately at home with an isopropyl alcohol and water solution following manufacturers instructions. Never use disinfecting sprays or wipes on the business end of a microphone!

Rubber Gloves

If you want some extra assurance, rubber gloves are a great way to avoid touching shared surfaces.

Bandaids

Stage shoes pinch, guitar strings can slice up your cuticles, and people trip and fall on unfamiliar surfaces. It’s always a good idea to keep bandaids in a go-bag. You’ll probably make it through most gigs unscathed, but we’ve definitely had to patch up a blister or a cut finger after a particularly energetic show and were grateful to have a stash of plasters.

Book a Lesson Today to Get Performance-Ready

We hope this list helps you show up to your next in-person gig ready for anything! If you already have a go-bag for gigs, what’s in it? Let us know if we missed any must-haves or if we mentioned something you wouldn’t have thought of. Set up a lesson with Zelda to get your voice performance-ready as well! And don’t forget the most important thing - love your voice!

If you want help getting performance-ready, reach out to Zelda and book a lesson!

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