This is the final article in my series on gigging without electrical outlets, at least for now. But as new technology becomes available, I’ll be sure to provide future updates. (Access the full series here.)

Yes, it’s cold outside (14 degrees in Maryland last week) but now is the time to start planning those outside gigs at vineyards and weddings, as well as any parking lot ministries. Spring and summer will soon be here, and since Covid is “mostly” in the rear-view mirror, the gigs and playing opportunities should start rolling in.

Previously, I’ve reviewed a number of battery/inverter power options, and they are still great for many mid-sized bands. But what if it’s a solo or duet act and just need to power loudspeakers for a crowd of a few hundred? And maybe this isn’t just for outside gigs without a power outlet anywhere nearby.

The Real Deal

One of my music colleagues regularly plays acoustic guitar with tracks for restaurant background music, and he’s tired of taping an extension cord down on the carpet for 30 feet to the nearest wall outlet. Are there battery-powered loudspeakers that are easily portable, have a small built-in mixer, and will run from their own rechargeable batteries for several hours? Yes indeed, there are.

And I’m happy to report that not only are there a number of 8-inch tops available, the recently released Yorkville EXM-Mobile-8 is a three-way design, with an 8-inch woofer joined by a 5-inch/1-inch coaxial driver. Further, the companion EXM-Mobile-Sub is a very compact dual 8-inch battery-powered subwoofer that’s surprisingly beefy.

You can simply use one of these loudspeakers for an acoustic guitar and vocal in small cafes and bars and add the sub if you want to “bring the bass.” I’ll be the first to say that this isn’t an ear-blistering setup for metal or hip-hop, but if you want 90-plus dB SPL of well-balanced sound with solid bass for a few hundred listeners, this could be just the ticket.

I contacted one of the local bands, The Missing Years, that helped with some of my power/energy measurements in a previous article, and they were up for the experiment. The unique duet features a stand-up stick bass that not only supplies the bottom end, it also provides percussion. (No drum machine required.) Meanwhile, the guitarist/vocalist uses a harmony pedal on his vocals tastefully, so no singing tracks are needed.

They’re just two very experienced musicians who can play hundreds of songs at the drop of a hat, and these are hard-working players who sometimes do several gigs a week. So, loading in and out time and effort is an important aspect to any of their stage gear. Just tuck the battery-powered subwoofer anywhere onstage/in the vicinity and it will deliver a surprising amount of low-end energy. (Like a lot of us, bass frequencies make me happy.)

There’s nothing fancy here, but the EXM series includes the basics to mix a small solo or duet act with no AC power needed at all. I would consider pairing this with a Behringer FLOW 8 digital mixer with Bluetooth and it will supply all the vocal compression, reverb and recall ability you could ask for in a tiny unit that can clip to a mic stand.

More Options

I’ve also done several gigs with a JBL EON ONE MK2 battery-powered PA – it’s a C-shaped 8-tweeter array with a 10-inch woofer – and it’s a solid performer that sets up quickly and will run up for up to six hours on a single battery charge.

You can also buy a second battery that’s built into the column spacer, and charge it up separately. This allows swapping in a battery to keep going if the gig goes into overtime.

The EON ONE has a 5-channel digital mixer with effects, plus it’s quick to set up, and again, will comfortably cover a few hundred listeners at a nice 85 to 90 dB SPL mix.

Finally, I had the opportunity to test a new Electro-Voice EVERSE 8 battery-powered loudspeaker in my studio and backyard (and the neighbors actually thanked me!). It has a 4-channel digital mixer with EQ and FX as well as a replaceable battery for extended gigs.

I ran it for more than four hours at near max volume and still had battery power left. Plus it’s waterproof, so no worries if there’s a brief shower while gigging in the vineyard.

In addition, EVERSE 8 sounds terrific, especially for vocals and guitar. It has a solid bottom end as well, but don’t expect thumping bass. Still, one or two of these for a solo or duet acoustic gig would provide great coverage both indoors and outdoors.

It’s A Wrap

At least in my area of the country, just about every outside event is now hiring live music. One of the local farmer’s market has also started hiring solo and duet acts for music, and wineries are popping up everywhere. And many of my musical colleagues are booking outside weddings this summer, just as I predicted last year.

So, here’s your chance to shake off the cobwebs, get your chops back, and play in front of some live audiences again. I’ve been showing all kinds of battery-powered options that set up quickly far away from an AC electrical outlet, and they sound great.

Plus, I already have a few “green fest” gigs lined up in May, and I’m threatening to drag out my new Nektar Impact LX88 keyboard that’s USB powered from a laptop, and talk my guitarist friend Karl into bringing along his battery-powered acoustic/electric rig. If we do, I’ll be sure to take pictures. After all, I miss playing live gigs as well, so I might as well get in on the fun.