Source: https://themashhouse.co.uk

This is a great article where i found out most of my information: https://unlocktheguitar.net/blog/band-rehearsal-how-the-pros-rehearse-for-a-show/#:~:text=Most%20amateur%20bands%20and%20musicians,is%20designed%20to%20reduce%20risk.

Source: https://blog.viewmaniac.com/crafting-the-perfect-cover-band-setlist-a-guide-to-rocking-the-stage/#:~:text=A%20great%20setlist%20has%20a,tempo%20tracks%2C%20and%20dance%20anthems.

source:https://www.instagram.com/mashhouse/

This article by the ICMP goes into a good amount of detail about this subject:https://www.icmp.ac.uk/blog/how-organise-and-promote-live-music-events

https://onthestage.com/blog/8-tips-for-managing-rehearsals-efficiently/#:~:text=Create%20a%20Detailed%20Schedule,each%20minute%20is%20used%20effectively.

Source:https://meetings.skift.com/2023/07/01/15-ideas-to-collect-feedback-at-events/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BshxCIjNEjY
Released in 1980, Super Trouper is a classic pop anthem from Swedish group ABBA. With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics about the highs and lows of performing, the song became a global hit and remains one of their most iconic tracks.

2. Black Sheep by Metric

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w608EMt9mU

Featured in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010), "Black Sheep" by Metric is an upbeat indie rock anthem about rebellion and individuality. Its resonating guitar riffs and Emily Haines’ iconic vocals helped make it one of the band’s most recognizable songs.

3. Tek It by Cafuné

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kcoia22hdg

"Tek It" (2020) blends indie pop and lo-fi R&B, with smooth beats and introspective lyrics. American indie pop duo Cafuné captures a laid-back yet emotional vibe, making it a standout track for fans of calm yet deeply personal music.

4. Airplanes by Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_dJAI_1veM

Released in 2019, Bob’s Airplanes mixes hip-hop with deep lyrics about escape and freedom. With a mellow, catchy beat, it captures the longing for something more, resonating with listeners who appreciate deep, soulful rap.

5. Nevermind (Original Song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zzz2ocBZ0A

Nevermind was written by me and my band it draws inspiration from the indie pop genre with meaningful lyrics yet a light and enjoyable sound.

Warm-up Routine:

Running through the lead guitar parts of Never Mind.

Focus on technique and speed for faster passages.

Working on phrasing and smooth transitions between chords and solos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE5MUwhzfeg

Songwriting Process:

Brainstorming lyrics and music ideas as a group.

Discussing the structure of the song and how to blend the guitar lines with the rap sections.

Jamming together to work out the transitions and how each section of the song flows into the next.

Rehearsal Focus:

Timing and transitions between the rap and instrumental sections.

Synchronizing with the rhythm guitar (Mathew, Diego, and Brooklyn) and making sure the bass (Theo) and drums (Gillie) supported the lead guitar line.

Ensuring the vocals (Ed and Theodora) were prominently featured, with my guitar complementing their melody and tone.

Collaboration Notes:

Brainstorming and contributing ideas for musical sections.

Discussing the integration of rap into the song and how to make it blend smoothly with the other musical elements.

Sharing responsibilities for parts of the performance, such as stage setup and live sound.

Performance Details:

Venue: The Mashhouse, Cowgate.

Setlist: Includes Never Mind along with other original songs.

Focus on engaging the audience with both the rap segments and the instrumental portions of the song.

Our performance video can now be accessed on the Out of the Box Website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFbyrWKq5mU

I keep detailed logs of my personal practice sessions, noting which techniques I focused on and what areas need more attention.

Rehearsal Reviews:

After rehearsals, I review the recordings and make notes on how we can improve the timing, transitions, and overall cohesion of the song.

(Notes from rehearsals are listed in the post below)

Agenda:

• Tighten "Tek It" and "Super Trouper"

• Start “Airplanes”

Progress:

• “Tek It”: Worked out timing on the intro, with Theo's bass locking in with Gillie’s drums. I added some extra flair to the solo, and Mathew adjusted his rhythm part for a cleaner sound.

• “Super Trouper”: Harmonies from Theodora and Ed sounding much smoother, especially in the chorus. Mathew and Brooklyn tightened up their rhythm work.

• “Airplanes”: Erin introduced the synth intro, which sounded great. Brooklyn and Mathew made adjustments to their rhythm guitar sections, and we started syncing the drums to the synth.

Challenges:

• The synth in “Airplanes” doesn’t quite blend with the rhythm guitar yet—had to pause a few times to adjust.

Goals:

• Focus on tightening the synth/guitar sync for next week. Run through “Airplanes” and revisit the transitions.

Band Rehearsal Minutes - April 7, 2025

Agenda:

• Focus on “Airplanes”

• Run-through of “Black Sheep”

Progress:

• “Airplanes”: Erin’s synth is now matching with the guitar, and the transitions between sections are getting smoother. Theo added a bassline that really complements the synth in the intro.

• “Black Sheep”: Run-through was solid, with everyone in sync. Your solo section was smooth, and Ed’s harmonies with Theodora were tighter. Gillie nailed the dynamic shifts in the bridge.

Challenges:

• Minor tempo syncing issues in “Airplanes” between the synth and rhythm section.

• “Black Sheep” still has some lingering issues with tempo variations in the verses.

Goals:

• Finalize tempo in “Airplanes.” Start thinking about dynamics for the quieter sections of “Black Sheep” and the original song.

Band Rehearsal Minutes - April 14, 2025

Agenda:

• Rehearse “Black Sheep” and original song

• Adjust dynamics for quieter sections

Progress:

• “Black Sheep”: Tempo is improving, especially in the bridge. Your guitar solo is now tighter, and Brooklyn's rhythm section provides a solid foundation. Theodora’s and Ed’s harmonies are really starting to blend well.

• Original Song: Erin brought in some new chords for the bridge, and Theo worked on a bassline that complements it. Ed's vocal melody is now the main hook. We also refined some of the lyrics for better flow.

Challenges:

• Original song still needs work in the structure of the verse sections. Not all parts are flowing as smoothly as they should.

• Minor dynamic issues in quieter parts of “Black Sheep” where energy dips.

Goals:

• Finalize structure and lyrics for the original song. Focus on dynamics and transitions for quieter parts of “Black Sheep.”

Band Rehearsal Minutes - April 21, 2025

Agenda:

• Polish original song

• Full run-through of the setlist

Progress:

• Original Song: The structure is solid now; everyone’s parts fit together. The new bridge added by Mathew and me adds emotional depth. Vocals from Theodora and Ed are flowing well.

• Setlist Run-through: We did a complete run-through of the setlist. “Tek It” and “Super Trouper” are almost locked in, and “Black Sheep” sounds great now. The original song still needs some fine-tuning in the transitions, but it’s sounding good overall.

Challenges:

• The original song needs tighter vocal harmonies in the chorus, as some notes were slightly off.

• Timing still slightly off in transitions between songs—especially between “Super Trouper” and “Black Sheep.”

Goals:

• Smooth out transitions between songs. Focus on tightening the vocal harmonies in the original song.

Band Rehearsal Minutes - April 28, 2025

Agenda:

• Finalize setlist flow

• Run-through before performance

Progress:

• Setlist: Everything is coming together. We adjusted transitions between songs, especially the shift from “Super Trouper” to “Black Sheep.” Each song feels more connected now.

• Performance Readiness: Vocal harmonies are spot on in “Super Trouper.” You and Theo worked out a smoother intro for “Tek It.” Gillie added some new fills that bring out the energy in “Black Sheep.”

Challenges:

• Still need to tighten up “Tek It” during the solo section. Minor sync issues between you and Brooklyn at the start.

• The original song needs a few more tweaks before it’s fully ready for the stage.

Goals:

• Final practice on transitions and solos. Make sure the original song is set for the final run-through next week.

Band Rehearsal Minutes - May 5, 2025

Agenda:

• Final run-through before performance

Progress:

• Full Set: Everything is now flowing seamlessly! The transitions between songs are sharp, and everyone knows their cues. The final run-through felt smooth, and we hit every vocal harmony perfectly.

• Final Details: You nailed the solo in “Tek It.” Ed and Theodora’s vocals in “Super Trouper” are clean, and Gillie’s drum fills add energy to the quiet parts of “Black Sheep.”

Challenges:

• Minor solo tweaks on “Tek It” to add a bit more flair. Some final adjustments on stage positioning to ensure smooth transitions.

Goals:

• Ready for performance! Feeling confident in the entire set.

Rehearsals were key to tightening our sound. We kept minutes from each session, noting what worked and what needed improvement. We worked hard on syncing parts, tightening harmonies, and polishing transitions between songs. I also collaborated closely with the rhythm section and vocalists to ensure a cohesive performance. Alongside the musical work, I researched vocal and instrumental techniques specific to pop and alternative genres. I also explored how musicians promote live events and gather feedback afterward—valuable knowledge for improving future shows. Overall, this project helped me grow as a guitarist and team member. I learned how to plan a live set from start to finish, and how to rehearse, perform, and evaluate our work like professionals.