I get lots of help on gigs, and I prefer working with a team, but there are times when I fly solo. In those situations, I’ve discovered a method of working that’s a little unconventional – but also very likable. I call it “progressive load-in” or “sequential load-in.”

The idea is very simple. Instead of getting everything into the room and then starting the setup, I make a trip from the van to the venue, and setup as much as I can with what’s in the room in that moment. The process then repeats until everything is in – and set.

There are two benefits to working this way.

1) It’s far less tiring. With the way my van has to be packed, constantly jumping in and out of it to muscle gear around can really sap a person’s energy. Breaking that activity up with less strenuous tasks is a big help.

2) I make setup progress much earlier. With the “get it all in” method, there’s a big block of time that’s just situating the non-deployed equipment in the room. Plus, I almost always manage to block my access to something or otherwise end up rearranging cases and tubs. Doing things in parts means that, even though the total time required is similar, I get a bit of an edge – and at any given second, I tend to have more done for that fateful moment when musicians are coming in the room and looking to soundcheck.

There are certainly times when this method simply doesn’t work. If you have to move your vehicle from a loading zone ASAP, a progressive load in isn’t going to fly. When I have helpers for loading, it’s also generally a better idea to do things in blocks.

When a progressive/ sequential load-in IS possible, though? It’s kinda neat.