Drummer’s Gig Checklist – 50 Essential Items
Drummers are known for hauling around the most gear and it’s only fitting to have a checklist to make sure you have everything you need. From the essentials like your drum kit, drumsticks, and cymbals to dampening pads, drum keys, brushes, mallets, rods, and similar gear.
The following 50 items cover the essentials and useful extras for a drummer when performing. Download the one-page printable gig checklist (PDF) if you prefer a paper copy.
Contents
Before you leave
- □ Drumsticks (multiple pairs)
- □ Drum key
- □ Spare drum heads
- □ Drum tuning tools
- □ MoonGel or dampening pads
- □ Cymbal felts and washers
- □ Stick bag
- □ Brushes, rods, mallets (if used)
- □ Setlist
- □ Practice pad
- □ Ear protection
- □ Towels
- □ Water bottle
- □ Snacks/energy bars
- □ Change of clothes
- □ drum gloves (if used)
- □ Flashlight/headlamp
- □ Multi-tool (pliers, screwdriver, etc.)
- □ Phone charger/power bank
- □ Notepad and pen
Load in and build the kit
- □ Snare drum
- □ Bass drum
- □ Tom-toms
- □ Floor tom
- □ Hi-hat cymbals
- □ Crash cymbals
- □ Ride cymbal
- □ Splash/China cymbals (if used)
- □ Drum throne
- □ Kick pedal
- □ Hi-hat stand
- □ Snare stand
- □ Cymbal stands
- □ Tom mounts/hardware
- □ Extra wing nuts for stands
- □ Drum rug/mat
- □ Drumstick holder (attachable to drum kit)
- □ Kick drum patch (for pedal beater)
- □ Backup kick pedal
Soundcheck and stage
- □ Metronome or click track
- □ In-ear monitors or headphones
- □ Extension cords
- □ Power strip
- □ Monitor speaker (if not provided by venue)
- □ Mic clips for drums
- □ Drum mics (if not provided by venue)
- □ Duct tape or gaffer tape
Only for the gig that needs them
- □ Merchandise (if applicable)
- □ Drum machine or samples
- □ Portable fan (for stage comfort)
Choose your gig type
- □ Small acoustic gig: check what the venue supplies before packing extra mics, monitors or power.
- □ Miked or festival show: confirm the input list, mic clips, monitoring, changeover time and any shared backline.
- □ Electronic or hybrid set: check the module, power supply, audio outputs and any sample playback separately. Items 49 and 50 only apply if you use them.
Venue check: Who supplies the kit, cymbals, mics, monitor and power? Put a line through anything the venue has confirmed, but bring the small spares you rely on.
Before you play and before you leave
At soundcheck, test every input you use and make sure you can hear the band. After the set, check the stage, under the riser and around the power outlets before you leave. Count your stands, pedals and stick bags against the printed list.
