What You Need for a Jam Session

A jam session needs more than instruments. You will need enough microphones, stands, cables, power distribution and monitoring for musicians to play without sharing equipment constantly. Plan seating and tables for guests, plus a separate musician area for cases and personal items. For refreshments, count glasses, cups, plates and cutlery, then add coolers, coffee equipment and serving trays. Use this list to check what you own, what you can borrow and what must be reserved or bought before setup day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Chairsqty 45
Tablesqty 6
Stoolsqty 12
Musician tablesqty 3

Equipment

Drum kit
Keyboard
Guitar amplifiersqty 2
Bass amplifier
PA speakersqty 2
Stage monitorsqty 2
Mixer
Microphonesqty 4
Microphone standsqty 4
DI boxesqty 2
Instrument cablesqty 12
Microphone cablesqty 8
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 8
Music standsqty 8
Guitar standsqty 6
Music standsqty 2

Tableware

Drinking glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Serving traysqty 4
Pliersqty 4

Decorations

Name badgesqty 50
Tableclothsqty 6

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Brie - 750 grams
- Ham - 750 grams
- Salami - 750 gram
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 4 loaves
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 3 tubs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Garlic sauce - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces

Tips

Count every active microphone, instrument and amplifier before shopping. Add spare instrument and microphone cables, because one missing cable can stop an entire setup.
Plan power before buying supplies: use power strips and extension cords where needed, and cover cables crossing walkways with cable mats before guests arrive.
Provide one chair or stool per expected seated guest, then reserve separate musician tables for cases, drinks and personal equipment instead of using playing space.
For drinks, prepare at least 2–3 servings per person for the first hour, then add more based on the expected length of the session. Chill them before opening the venue.
Check dietary requirements before ordering catering and buy serving trays, plates, cutlery and glasses to match the number of registered guests plus walk-ins.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a jam session?: At minimum, check the drum kit, keyboard, amplifiers, PA speakers, stage monitors, mixer, microphones, stands, DI boxes and instrument cables. Make this inventory at least 7 days before the session so missing equipment can still be reserved.
How many microphones and cables do I need for a jam session?: Provide one microphone for each simultaneous vocal or acoustic source, plus a microphone stand and cable for each. Count every connection during the sound check, and keep at least 2 spare cables available.
How many drinks should I buy for a jam session?: Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then roughly 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Buy extra water and keep drinks chilled in coolers before musicians and guests arrive.
What tableware is needed for a jam session?: Prepare one drinking glass per guest, one coffee cup per coffee drinker, and one plate and cutlery set per catering portion. Add around 10% extra for walk-ins, spills and replacements, and confirm the final count 2 days beforehand.

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