Refresh Your Live Setup

As worldwide restrictions begin to ease and the live music sector eyes a tentative return, it’s time to refresh your live rig – we’ll help you get gig-ready with essential tips and must-have gear

The past year’s global pandemic has had a huge impact on the live music world. Almost all venues have been forced to close their doors, and touring, festivals and club nights have pretty much been a non-starter. For musicians, at all levels, this has been devastating – cutting vital sources of income and, for newer and aspiring acts, removing an important way to get your music out there and grow your audience.

You may or may not be able to attend gigs by the time you read this, but it currently looks highly likely a full return of gigs and clubs is on the cards for this summer.

For performing musicians, this return could be as nerve-racking as it is exciting; a daunting challenge to brush the cobwebs off that live rig. It also offers a good opportunity to refresh though. Given the time off, it could be the perfect moment to change things up and experiment with new gear or ways of performing.

Whether you’re making your live return or planning a live show for the first time, over the next few pages you’ll find performance tips and ideas, along with guides to the freshest electronic gear to consider for your live setup. We’re focusing on gear released since early 2020 – things we’ve been itching to take out on stage. See you on the dancefloor!

PUSHING BUTTONS, MAKING BLEEPS: LIVE ELECTRONICS