What do you do before a gig or concert to get ready ? meditate ? practice ? eat ? drink ?

Warmup. What do you do?

you know?... everytime is different for me. I try NOT to eat before a show whenever possible. for one reason, I don't like to risk any upset stomachs on stage. (yes, I've had it happen. lol)
and if I can ignore hunger anytime I'm playing.

if it's cold weather, I try to run my hands under hot water to heat em up... or heat them up somehow. I have bad circulation in my hands, always have... therefore they get cold easy.

other then that... try to just relax and be myself. because being on stage is not so much about impressing the crowd for me... I enjoy playing music wether the crowd does or doesn't. and I haven't been boo'ed yet.. so I must be doing alright eh?

I will get setup and make sure everything is working. After sound checks I just sit, relax, and chat until show time.

I double check anything I am unsure of. I visualize some things that might be a little tricky. Then I get calm.

Jerry

Just sit with the guys and chat. The guitar player and I have been gigging 37 and 28 years respectively, while our cohorts are still playing in their very first band. I'm relieved that they finally got over the pre-show jitters, they used to just pace, shake, and recheck things so often they'd break them. We're all pretty mellow now, sometimes go out to eat together, although as mentiioned above a full stomach doesn't do too much for my performance.

Eat, drink, laugh and have fun. Band gigs are some of the most enjoyable and relaxing times that I have these days. It helps to be in a band with a bunch of great people that have become close friends.

Shoot up.


Oh wait - that's not me, that's the bass player.

Sorry.

Set up the PA and my Rig.

Usually, I don't do anything special; I just try to be relaxed and feel some energy.

BUT once, I played at a Yoga center, so the whole band did a few breathing exercises before going onstage. It was one of the best concerts I've ever played; the level of concentration and interplay was unusually high.

Warming up, I keep forgetting this Sounds dumb, I know, but I often arrive at cover gigs after a long drive in heavy traffic usually with minimal time to set up the PA, lights, gear then soundcheck and play.
If there is any time I just chat with the band and exchange borrowed DVDs and CDs etc.
When I was younger, and it was maybe less important, I used to warm up very thoroughly: whole body stuff stretches and sometimes skipping, voice and breathing exercises the hand and finger stuff.
Nowadays, when at my age I probably need it more, I just saunter onstage and play.
I like to drink plenty of water and have some on stage with me and I always doublecheck my tuning, even though basses rarely go out of tune. If I got the chance I would just play the instrument to warm-up.
Oh yeah, the warm water - hand circulation thing - I often so that too. It's much easier to play in warm climates.

We are a Christian Rock group, so we always take a few minutes for a pre-show prayer. I might eat something light if its available, but not much. Drink lots of water. Chat with my fellow band members, relax, etc. I get to itching to get up there though and its hard to kick back and relax the closer its time to play...then I will walk around, pace, prep in the bathroom, etc.

A big meal after a show is great....I am always hyped up and ravenous after playing (and loading and unloading,etc.)

BD

I have to eat before a show... I use too much energy. See NYE rant for more info.

After setting up I will usually run through some finger exercises and two handed scales. Then is is off to get a tall glass of water. Need it on stage to keep my whistle wet.

I play a little at home just to limber up, load up. Drive to the gig. Load out and set up and by then I am pretty warm. I take bottled water and drink plenty of water throughout.

I submitted this on a thread from back in March. I apologize for the cut & paste job (with slight edit). The following scenario is what I try to do before a club/concert gig:

My pre-gig ritual actually starts the day before in that I try to get a good night’s rest. On the day of the show, I try to eat light meals. During the afternoon, I typically work-out in my basement, and while I am exercising, I may put on a CD or video of an artist/band that gets me fired up. Similarly, on the way to the gig, I will listen to something equally inspirational. I try to arrive to the venue early to take time setting up my gear, troubleshoot problems, etc. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.....still need to improve those time management skills! Once everything is set up, I will map out all of the program/patch changes for every song on the set list and write down the program numbers next to the song. I use a K2600 to control a Triton Pro and a rack of six modules, and if our lead singer gets me the set list in enough time, I will store these changes sequentially in the K2600. Doesn’t always work out this way. Additionally, many songs we play have several split points on the K2600, so as I am writing down the program numbers I will try to remind myself/review where the splits are located on the keyboard. Next, I always run through some Hannon exercises then play something like ELP’s “Hoedown” or Boston’s “Foreplay.” Then comes a review of any piano intro I might do (e.g., before a ballad) and/or any other challenging passage we may be playing that night. Then it’s off to change out of load-in clothes, then over to the bar for a Budweiser and shot of tequila to take off any edge. Seems I always run into our drummer at this juncture! Then it’s to the stage (beer in hand, of course) for a two-minute review of all of the preceding. I always make sure to lock eyes with my fellow mates before the first song, usually accompanied by some profanity-laced motivational comment (we’ve been playing together for 25 years.....), then let it rip…..usually ELP’s version of “Fanfare for the Common Man”.....it been our opening number/anthem for many years.

My "pre-game warm up" for a wedding reception/corporate dance is substantially less intense.....scratch just about everything above "go over to the bar for a Budweiser and shot of tequila." I use a considerably scaled-down rig as well.

For me it's usually a short nap, a light meal and two mugs of coffee at home. When I get to the gig and set up, I'll run through some pieces at very low volume that really work all 10 fingers. Then I'll caucus with band mates about set list etc., bring a bottle of water on stage (no BEER for me until last set...).

I agree with Eric, I've known 3 of the other 4 guys since high school (27 years - Yikes!) and we have a good time. Performance validates all that practice and rehearsal, and you never know what's going to happen!

Regards,
Joe

I never eat to close to the start of the show. I have so much to setup that if I've eaten, It can be very uncomfortable. Then once we've started, I don't want to get grease on my hands. I can't wash my hands when I'm playing, or the oils will strip off, and my fingers will stick to the keys.

I'll go through and make sure everything is working correctly, grab a beer or three, stretch my hands and forearms, and completely relax.

I've been playing so long that I almost never get nervous. I deserve to be on the stage, and I'm gonna enjoy it.

1 bottle of Redline ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY

That's really interesting, have you ever tried it again before big/important shows?

A shot of Jim Beam and a tall glass of Guiness and I am warmed up. If not, repeat and try again.

Sometimes - you just can't warm-up.

The show must go on.

After lugging a few hundred pounds of gear out of your house, into your car, out of your car and into the gig... set-up etc...

When I do have time:

I try to relax, stretch out my hands and arms from
the equipment lug.

I always warm up with scales, chords, a familiar song with the volume off. I try to get my guitarist to do this too.

Nothing worse than being in a bar and one or two musicians decide to "noodle n' spoo" at gig volume between sound check and sets. Save it!

Have a few glasses of wine first. Then I'm ready!

DRD

Smoke a big phat doob, and then eat 14lbs of Doritos.

What?

We seem to be at our best if we manage to seperate the "work" from the "playing" Therefore, if at all possible - we try to get set-up and soundcheck out of the way early in the AM on gig day. I like having the bulk of the day to do non-music stuff, catch a few zzz's, eat a real dinner and get a shower before gigtime. I try to get there roughly 45 minutes before showtime to power up the already tuned PA and go from there. I usually warm up for 10-15 minutes with headphones, make sure whatever passes for the setlist de jour is taped somewhere I can see it - and that my keys are left ready for the first tune. Then it's a stop off at the bar to grab a barley pop and say hey to whoever is in charge - followed by a lap around the room to say hi to anybody/everybody I can strike up a conversation (PR is part of every band member's job description!!). Pregig prep is capped with one last leak...then it's off to the races!

wow. very interesting stories !!! usually for myself ,I check to see everything works / keyboard and amp / moniters etc.look over set list if there is one ,
and then try to practice with headphones for a bit. then go and grab a decaf coffee and some bottled water . and just relax next to the stage.
I guess a lot has to do with relaxing and keeping your hands warm is good information ! Anybody have good advice when your hands get a little clammy / because of humidity or preplaying jitters? or should i start a new thread? thanks in advance for great info and stories!