Outdoor Gig Rain Survival

[Ledergeist]

So, Just got back from a street festival where we had a 1 hour slot. We're about 40 minutes in when a light but persistent sprinkle begins. Since we're on an uncovered stage, we finish a tune and I tell the rest of the band I'm shutting down, and we all stop. Of course it stops raining and we decide to continue.
Wrapping up the set, the rain returns in force. Guitar and amp were put away pretty quick, but while doing that my pedals and cords got pretty soaked.

Worst thing was we were on form and got cut short. Best thing is I'm still around to make this post....

BW

[jwebsmall]

Do you have any pictures or perhaps cell phone videos of the gig?

[Ledergeist]

Going thru pics tonight. Will have them up soon....

All the gear seems to have dried out, but I'll wait til Monday to see if it all works....

[darwinohm]

We have been faced with this situation more than once. We use large lawn bags (40 Gal) for speakers and some amps. Smaller bags work great to cover guitars on stands or smaller gear. We do outdoor venues where they put a large tarp covers over the stage. It also keeps the sun off.-- Darwin

[blargfromouterspace]

Never been caught in rain, but my pedals and leads have been showered with rum & coke and beer. All were fine save for a sticky residue. Pedals are pretty well protected from accidental splashes of liquids, so long as they aren't submerged and assuming it's not a muli-effects unit (in which case it's most likely buggered). Same with cables. If you have ones with sealed ends (Neutrik, Planet Waves etc.) then they should be fine. If you're using Switchcraft styles ones which unscrew then it would be best to open them up to check if any water is still in there. If they're wet get the hairdryer out. Might be a good idea to open up your pedals just to make sure no water got in there too.

Fingers crossed for you!

[Ledergeist]

Hard to believe about 3 minutes before this shot, the place was packed. On the left you can see my son hightailin' it outta there....



All my gear appears to be OK, though I have yet to try anything. Giving it a good 72+ hours to be totally safe.

Go Brewers
BW

[jwebsmall]

Nice looking venue except for the rain.

What the green "smoke"? in the upper right of the
photograph.

Do you find it hard performing outdoors in an open
area or do you have stage monitors?

[Ledergeist]

Heheh... That really isn't a venue, it's looking east at the intersection of Center St. at Humboldt Av. in Milwaukee.
The green light is the traffic signal.
There's a full PA w/monitors under those tarps.
Indoor, outdoor, rehearsal, we usually turn up enough so we can hear each other and go for it. Guitar in the monitor is a rare luxury.

Go Brewers
BW

[RickT]

We've done two outdoor gigs this year but fortunately both were on a covered stage. But, I did buy a pop up canopy for those outdoor occasions just to keep us out of the sun and the rain. Dicks Sporting Goods ran a sale where the 12x12 canopy was $59 so I snatched up two of them. Still, garbage bags and tarps are always a good idea when playing outdoors.



RickT

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

It does not help before and during but for afterwards, road crews carry hair dryers and compressed air to help remove moisture in potentially wet situations.