8 Essential items for a Vocalists Gig Bag

Following on from my article on how to sing with a cold or sore throat, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you the 8 essential items that I've learnt to carry in my gig bag as a vocalist over the past 15 years.

Now whilst the complete list of items will vary depending on your requirements and performance type, there are going to be some essential items which should be in any singers gig bag; a few of which might surprise you. Lets take a look.

If you're singing through a PA there's a good chance you're going to need a microphone, and if possible you should always carry at least one cordid mic as a backup.

I always prefer to use my own microphone. Not just because I like the sound but also for hygiene purposes. The last thing I want to do is put my mouth and lips around a microphone which has been coughed and spat on by someone with a nasty cold or virus and some mics get used a lot.

So what to carry? In my experience you can't go wrong with the Shure SM57 or SM58. The SM57 is a great all-rounder, and the SM58 is excellent for picking up the bassier part of the vocal range and helping it to cut through. I have a number of these microphones which are almost 20 years old and still functioning perfectly. They're strong and robust and I highly recommend the investment in an SM58; you'll never need another microphone.

In terms of a lead, look for a 10m XLR lead. Buy a decent brand as cheap leads never last. XLR is the go-to connector for any decent mixer desk and you should be fine to plug in.

Even the best vocalists need help to clear their voice, and you can't go wrong with Vocalzone, honey and lemon.

I've prevsiouly waxed lyrical about how great Vocalzone is as it has many natural ingrediants and doesn't artifilcally numb your throat like some stronger over-the-counter remedies.

Honey and Lemon are very much respected in the vocalist world as the best way to naturally clear and soothe the throat. Store a little air-tight container in your bag containing a small jar or natural honey and a fresh lemon; you'll thank me later.

If you travel around a lot from venue to venue like I do, then you're going to have instances where something breaks, needs repairing or replacing. From fuses to cable ties there's often something which need a tool or too to repair. I recommend you carry the following:

• a Phillips screwdriver (medium size)
• a flat bladed screwdriver (medium size)
• a mini screwdriver set (you can buy these for $5 - get one which includes torx driver)
• a few fuses
• a multitool (with a small blade and bottle opener)

You might also like to place these into a small box along with some other items including electrical tape, safety pins and drawing pins. You'll be surprised how open these items come in handy!

If you're going to be recording, you're going to need a pop shield. Whilst most recording studios will provide you with one, I recommend taking a spare just in case to prevent those pops which your voice can make when the air leaving your mouth hits the high quality microphone.

Yes, the Spork really is a thing. Although you might find this a strange addition to the vocalists gig bag and I promise you that you'll find it extremely useful; especially if you spend a lot of time traveling.

There's nothing more annoying than grabbing a salad or pasta dish from a shop, only to discover that you've got nothing to eat it with.

In addition, you can use the spork for instant noodles, making a sandwich and any other culinary delight you might like to make!

Whether you're traveling from venue to venue, or spending hours in a recording studio, you're going to want to be able to charge for phone, tablet and MP3 player. Finding power in a vehicle can often be difficult and recording booths don't usually have an AC output.

With so many powerbanks to chose from it can be a bit of a minefield, so try to look for a powerbank with these features:

• a minimum of 15,000 mAH capacity (the higher the value the higher the capacity)
• more than 1 use output (so that you can charge two devices at the same time)
• a well trust brand with good reviews

Just don't forget to charge the powerbank before you leave home!

Vocalists need water to keep hydrated, and you need to keep away from caffeine if you want to beat the drought.

Gone are the days when you can grab a disposable plastic bottle full of water; plastic is killing oceans and there's evidence now to show that when you drink bottled water you're also consuming plastic particles.

Instead of expensive plastic bottled water, look for a reusable water bottle like mine, which is BPA (bisphenol A) free. You can use it time and time again and it will save you a considerable amount of cash.