Playing outdoors in bad weather - safety tips please!

[Kevsy71]

Playing at a private outdoor party tomorrow, and the weather in England has seen lots of steady rain and storms for weeks now...

If there is rain we will play under partial cover (gazebo). So whilst my lovely Bongo will not be getting wet, I'm worried about any lightning risk. We'll be playing off the grounded UK mains with a surge protection board with 'good earth' indicator.

Does anyone have any tips please, either regarding safety or in general for playing outdoors with the threat of bad weather? Cheers!

 

[Psycho Ward]

I have witnessed three people die on three separate occasions during outdoor gigs. If you can hear thunder get off the stage! I have literally played over a thousand outdoor gigs, hated every single one of them and will not play outdoors these days. Yes it hampers my career, but I don't care. My safety and the safety of my equipment are more important to me. Good luck and be safe!

 

[Golem]

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Use wireless and then stay clear
of all of your mains circuit gear.



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[AnthonyD]

I will be outdoors tomorrow as well - 30% chance os thunderstorms. Good advice re: wireless. Have a tarp handy and keep an I on the skies.

 

[Kevsy71]

Thanks folks! I have no wireless so if it's looking a bit hairy we'll just postpone to be on the safe side. Or lipsynch if it's dark enough

 

[koogie2k]

Not a good idea to play with lightning in the air. I would because I am dumb that way though...haha. That is why my wife keeps and eye on me. She saves me from myself. Still, if you hear thunder and it isn't your rig....take cover and get indoors.

 

[njhammer]

One Word - Unplugged.

Only kidding. Good luck!

 

[Golem]

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OK ... So if you have no wireless, and won't be acquiring such
an expense for an occasional need [acoarst, you only die once],
then a less expensive solution is what we call here in the states
a GFI or "Ground Fault Interupter". Whatever it's called where
you are, it's the device typically required [at least here] for the
power outlets in risky locations in homes, such as kitchens and
bathrooms .... cuzza the proximity of plumbing and electricity.

I'm pretty sure that use of GFI one on your gig requires driving a
grounding/earthing spike into the actual ground/earth at the gig.
I spoze it might be called an EFI in UK-speak ?

But NOTHING compares to wireless. Instead of protection at the
electrical connection as with GFI, wireless toadally abolishes all
electrical connection. You hafta be hit directly by lightning, sky
to you [or stage structure], to get zapped ... something which
could just as likely happen to the audience, or a passing dog or
ostrich, etc IOW, not very likely.

Now, about getting hit by a meteorite ..... UMBRELLY [big one] !


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[OldManMusic]

I kid myself thinking I'm safe with a wireless in the rain. Then I realize I'm standing in a puddle with all the other gear singing in a wired mic. But hearing thunder is a different animal. Then it's time to stop.

 

[five7]

Make sure you wear rubber soled shoes, take an extra set of clothes, take a towel for your bass and another for you, try to park right behind the stage so you can load your gear quickly or have a tarp and some bungee's. If you sing put a foam windscreen on the mic and don't touch it and your strings at the same time. Don't stand under any trees or close to the power distro if lightning happens. Buy life insurance, say a prayer. Be okay with your gear getting soaked and maybe wind blowing dust into your amp and speakers and turning into mud if a monsoon hits. Get the promoter to pay your band before the gig. Bring sunscreen and water in case where you are standing is not covered by the "roof". Hope your bass is not black. I have done lots of outdoor gigs like Mr. Ward and hate them just as much. Once I did a gig at the old Elitches out on a floating stage in the middle of a small lake, the wind and rain hit with no warning. I got a good soaking, didn't have a dry set of clothes, the temperature dropped 30 degrees and gave me a terrible case of the shivers. Called my wife and begged her to bring me some dry clothes and shoes. Can't remember how many times I said I would never do another outdoor one. Also had a friend get hit with lightning when he went to shut off the generator. He went to the hospital and didn't even remember doing the gig. Have fun!

 

[Kevsy71]

More great tips, thanks everyone. Luckily we're playing at 9pm for only 20 minutes, which limits exposure! UK mains supply is always earthed, and we will run off an RCD (UK GFI-type circuit breaker). The Bongo is black, but given the state of the English 'summer' that wouldn't have made a difference even if we played at noon

 

[jlepre]

Stay inside

 

[Golem]

Make sure you wear rubber soled shoes, take an extra set of clothes,
take a towel for your bass and another for you ....... Bring sunscreen
........... Have fun!

Sumptin tells me they don't even sell sunscreen in the UK ;-)


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