Probably the most under-appreciated aspect of playing live is the load-in, the hauling of gear and set up. Oh, and don’t forget about breaking down (in production terms = the strike). The responsibility of schlepping gear almost always falls on the individual musician, unless of course they have a kind friend, groupie, spouse, or other that offers help. Otherwise, it seems like you’re always on your own. However, there is something to be said for those first few gigs of your life where the load-in seems exciting. But that is typically short-lived!
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