I keep a spare amp and a rack of fuses on my walkie‑talkie, double‑check every cable with a quick snap‑check before the first riff, and never leave a hot pre‑amp loose. Then when the lights drop I let the gear hiss, let the speakers scream and let the amps bite, but I’ve got a backup ready in case the first one goes nuclear. That’s how you keep the chaos alive without blowing the whole room.