You do not need to bring your own sound person or PA sound system. The Venue provides their FOH Sound Tech, sound board, and full PA sound system, (wired vocal mics, drum and amp mics if needed for the size of the room, mic cables, monitors, main speakers, and mic stands).
Their sound tech will run and setup the venue’s in-house PA System, mic stands, wired microphones, perform all mic and backtrack level checks, and play music in between sets.
You need to bring (unless instructed otherwise, for a specific venue) all of your own instruments, (instrument cables, amps & cabinets, drums, cymbals, and hardware).
POLICY ON SHARING GEAR
Always bring all of the gear listed above. If, once you arrive for artist check-in, you want to ask other acts if they can share gear with you, that’s fine. You can always leave gear in the car if you don’t end up using it. This way you always have what you need, even if other acts cannot or will not share their gear.
IS BACKLINE PROVIDED?
This will vary depending on the venue. Login to your www.MyAfton.com account and click “My Shows,” then click on the Confirmed event you are booked for to view the Confirmed Dashboard for that show. That is where we list the Backline policy for that specific venue.
IS A CD PLAYER PROVIDED?
This will vary depending on the venue. Login to your www.MyAfton.com account and click “My Shows,” then click on the Confirmed event you are booked for to view the Confirmed Dashboard for that show. That is where we will display whether or not the venue provides a CD player.
WHAT IF I USE BACKTRACKS?
If you use backtracks, the required backtrack format varies based on the venue. Login to your www.MyAfton.com account and click “My Shows,” then click on the Confirmed event you are booked for to view the Confirmed Dashboard for that show. That is where we will display the required backtrack format for that venue.
REQUIRED BACKTRACK FORMAT?
If you use backtracks, the required backtrack format varies based on the venue. Login to your www.MyAfton.com account and click “My Shows,” then click on the Confirmed event you are booked for to view the Confirmed Dashboard for that show. That is where we will display the required backtrack format for that venue. Please make sure to bring your backtracks in the correct format as instructed on your Confirmed Dashboard or else you risk not being able to perform.
EVENT HOST/MC
Afton will arrange a host/mc for hip hop/rap/urban events. The host/mc will introduce artists and keep the show flowing. If you’re interested in being a host/mc for our shows you can email: hostmc@myafton.com
IS A DJ PROVIDED?
This depends on the venue. For some shows, the venue’s sound tech will be the DJ for the night and play each act’s backtracks. For some shows Afton will hire a DJ. Login to your www.MyAfton.com account and click “My Shows,” then click on the Confirmed event you are booked for to view the Confirmed Dashboard for that show. That is where we will display the status for who the DJ will be for the event. If you’re interested in being a DJ for Afton events you can email: sm.scheduling@myafton.com
You are always welcome to bring your own DJ to be the DJ for your set.
TIPS FOR YOUR BACKTRACKS
We reccomend that you bring your backtracks in the exact song order you want to perform them in. This way the Sound Tech or DJ plays your backtracks in the right order. Make sure you are aware of your set length so that you don’t make your set too long.
Here’s how Set Length Policy works, depending on your genre:https://myafton.com/help/set-lengths/
You are responsible to bring:
- Your Own MIDI Controller (if you use one)
- Your Own Turntables (if you use them)
- Your Own Laptop (if you use one)
- Any cables or adapters you need to hook your equipment into the system via XLR or 1/4″ jacks
- Any other equipment or cables/cords/hook ups you normally gig with
IMPORTANT: Regarding Your Electronic/DJ Equipment The venue will have a standard multi-channel sound board that is setup to accommodate full bands and live hip hop acts. You will need to bring whatever cables, cords, plug ins, etc. that you would need to hook your gear into a standard sound board. If you have specific concerns about this please contact the venue or your Booking Rep. You may also want to bring a table to put your gear on IF you have a specific table or setup you prefer to gig with. The venues normally have tables but they may be a height or size that is not to your liking.
Policy on Sharing Gear: Always bring the items listed above. Once you arrive for the show you are welcome to share gear with other acts/DJ’s, or use their gear, if you want to work that out with them. But you must bring the gear you need in case acts are not willing to share, or in case an act cancels or has an emergency. Bring all of the gear you need, you can always leave it in your car and not use it if you end up deciding to share gear with another act/DJ once you arrive at the venue.
You are responsible to bring:
- All of your own instruments
- Instrument cables (if needed)
- Amps & cabinets (if needed)
- Any drum/percussion equipment needed
OPTIONS FOR ACOUSTIC GUITAR
1. Bringing an AMP that will be mic’ed through the PA System. This is recommended, because you have complete control over what your guitar sounds like with your amp settings. Then the sound person will just mic up your amp through the PA System.
2. Mic’ing up your Acoustic Guitar through the PA System. You can just have a microphone set up onstage that you stand/sit next to that mics your acoustic guitar. The only disadvantage to this is that you are “glued” to that one spot because if you move the microphone won’t pick up what you are playing as well.
3. Plugging in Direct through the PA System. You can plug your acoustic guitar “direct” into the PA System. However to do this you need to have either a guitar pickup, or a 1/4″ jack with acoustic pickup built into the guitar. The majority of the clubs we work with have Direct Boxes at the venue, but you may want to bring your own Direct Box if you choose to do this just to be safe.