Going back to the solo/duo stuff.

[JettLagg]

Just dropped out of a band that went for 9 years. What a run! Solo/duo gigs are really picking up around my area. I've got all my backing tracks on Mp3 now. I use Drums,Bass and a smidgen of keys so I can play guitar and sing to them. Makes for a great mix. Simple is better! LOL. Took all my MIDI and turned them into Mp3's. Just grabbed a couple of the new Alto 3XT12 powered speakers. nice and light and really put out some sound. Also use a 4 panel black accordion divider behind me along with velcroed battery operated par LED lights on each side. Makes people focus on my setup. I have my ZOOM L8 Mixer to handle the sound for me. Also grabbed a Cube EX street amp for my guitar. Super light and really puts out needed volume at 50 watts. Grabbed a new 15" laptop to run "Showplay" for my backing tracks and lyrics. Super easy to add moving lyrics to my Mp3's. Been doing the solo/duo thing off and on for the last 11 years. Collected a lot of equipment to do it. But as equipment get's lighter and more efficient I ugrade and store the older stuff away and use in a pinch if necessary. Already tried all this out on a couple of small gigs. Had a good time. At this point, I don't miss the band at all right now anyway Hope everybody is out there doing their thing too!

[Music Wolf]

I've been through that part of the cycle and I'm now back to playing in a couple of bands.

I did the backing track thing for a couple of years (first as live vocals, bass and guitar and then later just vocals and guitar) and it was interesting. I was able to play at smaller venues, and lower volumes, but there were also challenges. It took quite a bit of work to get the backing tracks right (I was creating my own in Cubase) and then further work to get all of the levels to fit the vocals. I was playing through my Kemper straight to the PA and the bass was DI'd so, once we had our levels, everything was set in the digital mixer and we just turned up at the venue, plugged in, tweaked the master vol during the first song and that was it.

What it does do is to make you learn the songs. If your singer does comes in late on a verse the backing doesn't care. That chorus is going to kick in at the right spot whether you're ready or not.

I'm playing with a four piece tonight then the five piece tomorrow. After taking out agent's fees, petrol and new strings I might have enough left for a curry per gig - but I'm happy with that.

[Drew Stephenson]

After taking out agent's fees, petrol and new strings I might have enough left for a curry per gig

Now you're just showing off!

I've oscillated between the full band thing and the solo thing regularly over the years. For me there's nothing quite like the occasions when a whole band is on form and you can really grab an audience and great one of those special moments.
But by contrast I sometimes miss the days when the only thing I needed to take home from a gig was a guitar and a can from the rider.

[JettLagg]

After taking out agent's fees, petrol and new strings I might have enough left for a curry per gig

Now you're just showing off!

I've oscillated between the full band thing and the solo thing regularly over the years. For me there's nothing quite like the occasions when a whole band is on form and you can really grab an audience and great one of those special moments.
But by contrast I sometimes miss the days when the only thing I needed to take home from a gig was a guitar and a can from the rider.

Yep. Playing to a track makes you really keen to paying attention or your in for an impromptu solo! LOL I really got in the groove after so many gigs. I am lucky that I can get my fill of solo gigs or with a working 4 piece. At this point though I'm good with the solo/duo thing at this point.

[OneWorld]

Just dropped out of a band that went for 9 years. What a run! Solo/duo gigs are really picking up around my area. I've got all my backing tracks on Mp3 now. I use Drums,Bass and a smidgen of keys so I can play guitar and sing to them. Makes for a great mix. Simple is better! LOL. Took all my MIDI and turned them into Mp3's. Just grabbed a couple of the new Alto 3XT12 powered speakers. nice and light and really put out some sound. Also use a 4 panel black accordion divider behind me along with velcroed battery operated par LED lights on each side. Makes people focus on my setup. I have my ZOOM L8 Mixer to handle the sound for me. Also grabbed a Cube EX street amp for my guitar. Super light and really puts out needed volume at 50 watts. Grabbed a new 15" laptop to run "Showplay" for my backing tracks and lyrics. Super easy to add moving lyrics to my Mp3's. Been doing the solo/duo thing off and on for the last 11 years. Collected a lot of equipment to do it. But as equipment get's lighter and more efficient I ugrade and store the older stuff away and use in a pinch if necessary. Already tried all this out on a couple of small gigs. Had a good time. At this point, I don't miss the band at all right now anyway Hope everybody is out there doing their thing too!

Step aside Ed Sheeran, there's a new kid on the block

Best of luck