Pre-gig rituals...

Sundogue · #1 08-07-2009, 01:31 PM

Anyone have any pre-gig rituals you go through before you head off to do a bigger show? Whether it's right before getting onstage, or the day of, etc. Let's hear them!

Today I have probably one of our biggest gigs of the year. It's not the biggest crowd, but it is certainly the wildest. Perhaps 800-1000 people for an outdoor fair gig in a large beer garden, where we are pretty much the only entertainment for miles around and it's THE place to be this weekend. Lots of people look forward to this one night.

The last two years in a row that we played, they ran out of beer, and the cops couldn't even shut us down (with the cops asking us to announce to the crowd "the night was over and to please exit the fairgrounds" because they didn't have enough for crowd control).

Anyway, we always have the most fun on this gig. Tons of drunk, partying people with wild women (some jumping onstage) and everyone pretty much partying their asses off and we get them chanting for more by the end of the night and singing along in unison throughout the night. In a word...WILD.

So anyway, today I am listening to some tunes and envisioning this crowd tonight, with us onstage leading them on to rock like they never rocked before. For every gig though, right before I go onstage, I sit down and meditate and focus on locking with my drummer, finding the groove and to just "be" and let the night take me where it will.

Anyone else do any kind of pre-gig ritual?

Here's a pic from last year...A section of the crowd...

TheDarkReaver · #2 08-07-2009, 01:54 PM

My ritual just involes smoking copious amounts of tobbacco.

5StringBlues · #3 08-07-2009, 02:05 PM

I make sure my frontman has everything he needs. ( he's 81)

Then i need 5 or 10 minutes by myself to stretch and talk to my buddy Herb.

kevsatthebeach · #4 08-07-2009, 02:38 PM

I always have to trim my nails and wash my hands right before we start. Been that way for close to 30 years.

StyleOverShow · #5 08-07-2009, 02:40 PM

Yes I too speak to Herb before most shows. Lately working with musicians who are younger than my kids, I take time to talk to them, reminding them of breaks, grooves under solos, etc. Helps them focus and remember the things from the last show.

-richard

knarleybass · #6 08-07-2009, 02:48 PM

pre show starts a week in advance where I start going over the songs in the set, then I call the guitar player/band leader to see if there is anything that he wants me to work on or of there are any changes to the set that I should know about.
Day of the show is do relax and be as calm as possible, try to do a short sound check, 15 minutes before, I put my costume on, and go to the restroom about 20 times. I have anxiety about having to go during the set.
the main thing for me though is being prepared and relaxed, stress before a show can really throw me.

RickenBoogie · #7 08-07-2009, 03:17 PM

Seems alot of musicians have a freind named Herb. I know the guy, too, but we speak less often than we used to.

Pilgrim · #8 08-07-2009, 03:52 PM

I get a beer to sip. Very important to stay hydrated. (And I do mean sip - it will last me at least an hour.)

kcamsdog1387 · #9 08-07-2009, 05:09 PM

I too talk to Herb before shows, I wash my hands like 5 mins or so before I hop on stage and most of all numero uno is Jameson on the Rocks.

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 08-07-2009, 11:45 PM

I never talk to Herb until after a show. However, my buddy Jack and I may have a conversation or two beforehand.

Sundogue · #11 08-08-2009, 08:50 AM

Wow! I haven't seen Herb in years! How's he doin'?

I've been hangin' with Jose for a while now. But we only have brief conversations.

xgator4u · #12 08-08-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Seems alot of musicians have a freind named Herb. I know the guy, too, but we speak less often than we used to.

Yeah, I remember Herb. He used to come to all of our shows... Not so much now, although he does sometimes stop by for a chat, and to help with tear down/load out. Before I go on stage I probably wash my hands like 10 times.

p-bass · #13 11-04-2009, 09:04 PM

Wow...I think I saw that crowd in a John Mellencamp MTV video.

basste · #14 11-05-2009, 12:26 AM

- stretch
- abdominal breathing
- have a beer

in no specific order.

mongo2 · #15 11-05-2009, 07:42 AM

No ritual here, I just setup and play.

Maybe I should get a ritual...any suggestions?

5StringBlues · #16 11-05-2009, 07:45 AM

^ sacrifice a virgin.

Does username n/a live close to Funkytown?

djero44 · #17 11-05-2009, 08:10 AM

If I can find a place to have a few minutes to myself I like to stretch, center myself and breathe deep. That and definitely use the bathroom....

ForestThump · #18 11-05-2009, 09:10 AM

+1 on the gents!

MN_Bass · #19 11-05-2009, 10:31 AM

2-3 Shots of Whiskey..then enter don't care mode...perfect

thudstaff23 · #20 11-05-2009, 10:36 AM

I like it when Herb comes to the shows too. But, I only like it when he comes around right before the gig. Too much time prior to that, Herb will just wear me out with his in-depth conversations.