How to Run a Tech Rehearsal That Actually Pays Off
If your band only discovers technical problems at the gig, you’re not alone—and you’re also doing it the hard way.
Most working bands treat shows like rolling tech rehearsals. New gear comes straight out of the box. Tracks get added last-minute. Monitor mixes are “close enough.” And then everyone wonders why load-in is stressful and the first set feels shaky.
A real tech rehearsal fixes that.
A tech rehearsal isn’t about playing the set. It’s about building a system that works under pressure. Here are five ways to make tech rehearsals actually worth the time.
1. Plan the Rehearsal Before Anyone Shows Up
A tech rehearsal without a plan becomes a hang. Define the goal in advance: audio, lighting, tracks, transitions, or all of the above. Share the plan in writing so no one’s guessing why they’re there.
2. Set Up Like It’s a Real Gig
Circling up feels comfortable—but it hides problems. Set up like a stage. Face forward. Put lights and speakers where they actually live. This reveals visual-dependency issues, stagecraft gaps, and setup bottlenecks fast.
3. Test Everything (Yes, Everything)
Cables. Mics. IEMs. Inputs. Gain staging. Tech rehearsal is gremlin-hunting time. Fix signal-chain issues now instead of an hour before downbeat.
4. Focus on One System at a Time
Don’t try to fix everything at once. Work in phases: signal, monitors, transitions, tracks, automation. Narrowing focus prevents overwhelm and leads to fixes that actually stick.
5. Build Confidence, Not Just Fixes
If a song or transition causes anxiety, repeat it until it doesn’t. Confidence comes from repetition without pressure—not from surviving it live.
Bonus: Debrief Before You Leave
Before packing up, talk through what still needs work, what can be delegated, and where clarity is missing. This turns tech rehearsal into long-term improvement instead of a one-off fix.
Tech rehearsals aren’t glamorous—but they’re how pros make gigs feel easy.