Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Beer on stage and the smart way to do it?
- Thread starter isky
- Start date
-
- Tags
- beer drinking on stage drinks
This has been an issue for me ever since I joined my current band a couple of years ago. We're all over 70 and we are usually sitting down. It's a real pain.I like taking a sip of whatever I'm drinking in between songs. Sometimes it's beer, sometimes water...
Ok, so, the band goes on stage, I have my beer in my hand...
First instinct is to put it on top of the amp - obvious pros: it's on top of your own property (assuming you're not using/sharing other people's backline), easy to reach, don't need to squat, etc.
But I always get paranoid ("Will the vibration from the amp/cab knock it off? I don't think it should, right? Don't remember it ever happening? But what if now it will?")
Dilemma.
So I put it on the floor. Another conundrum - do I put it behind, closer to the amp? Or in front, by the pedalboard / stage monitor?
It's the venues floor / stage, so spilling it there would be different than on your own stuff, especially if other bands are on the bill.
However, it's right in front of you, you got your eyes on it, floor is safer than top of the amp. But there's cables and stuff, and you end up squatting, sometimes it's tricky, with bass on ya, 99% of the time it's fine, but last time I squatted for a beer on stage I tore my ACL, pathetic, I know...
I ain't giving up beer or playing live, so I'm just curious how are you doing it?
Any specific routine / protocol / tips?
Cheers
So I ordered this literally yesterday. Clamps on the stand and it's cheap. It will arrive tomorrow.
BTW, this illustrates the problem:
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I need something on stage for the sole reason of fixing cotton mouth - and it's club soda. But I do a lot of singing so that may be different than some here. When I just played I never had any drink on stage.
I need it because I'm a vocalist and my mouth can get dry. But it's club soda.
I've spilled so many beers over the years, it's freaking insane. Kicked by me, kicked by drunk chicks, kicked by drunk singers, pulled over by cables, vibrated off the sub/cab/drum riser, stripped screw on the stand holder, fumble fingers, direct meteor hit... never ending. So, I had to do something, make a decision, this just had to stop. So, I drink really fast.
Any drinks for me tend to be front right of my pedal board. Right side of the board is tuner, volume, mute so not a lot of kicking action going on over there. The rubber feet on the pedaltrain are pretty decent at preventing any egregious sliding so there I've never had one knocked over.
That said, I have had a member of the crowd buy me a beer, put it on the monitor right next to my pedalboard without me realizing it, then the monitor/drums/stage vibration knocked it over the edge directly into my pedalboard. Didn't realize till I looked down and there was an empty overturned glass in the pedalboard center. Thankfully none of the magic smoke got out and I still use all those pedals
That said, I have had a member of the crowd buy me a beer, put it on the monitor right next to my pedalboard without me realizing it, then the monitor/drums/stage vibration knocked it over the edge directly into my pedalboard. Didn't realize till I looked down and there was an empty overturned glass in the pedalboard center. Thankfully none of the magic smoke got out and I still use all those pedals
Last edited:
I've thought more on this topic and the best place for beer/drinks to be on stage is in my belly.
This is what rolls of gaff tape are for after you're set up. They make an excellent cup holder. Also, I keep a handful of cozies around, even if I'm drinking water or out of a glass, I want a buffer between my hands and the condensation. And also, the warmer the beer gets, the faster I subconsciously want to put it away to get to the cold one.
I will also test the flex of the stage while setting up - sometimes it's really springy and that will guide the location of my refreshment. My preference is usually the drum riser, but I've been at this a while and am pretty good at finding a location that doesn't require me to moon the audience every time I want a sip.
To the Friends of Bill shaming us for living our lives our way, keep that to people who are asking for your help or that are in your lives directly. This habit a lot of you have actually repels people who might be ready to change something that's not right for them.
I will also test the flex of the stage while setting up - sometimes it's really springy and that will guide the location of my refreshment. My preference is usually the drum riser, but I've been at this a while and am pretty good at finding a location that doesn't require me to moon the audience every time I want a sip.
To the Friends of Bill shaming us for living our lives our way, keep that to people who are asking for your help or that are in your lives directly. This habit a lot of you have actually repels people who might be ready to change something that's not right for them.
