BL complained that I looked tired at the gig.

[Axtman]

BL texted the group about a few criticisms from Saturday's gig. She added that I looked really tired. I texted back that I had been working two weeks nonstop 12 hour days and had been working 8 hours that day before the gig. Then I played for 3 hours. So yeah I was tired. I even leaned on the upright piano between songs to rest for a bit. I left right after the gig went home, unloaded and fell asleep on the couch in my clothes.

 

[oldrocker]

If nothing else the BL is perceptive

 

[btmpancake]

Nextime try one of these, at least they worked for me.

 

[Reedt2000]

That's rough, we've all been there though. I try to grab a shower and go through the same routine as I do for the day job if I'm tired before a gig. It kinda fools my brain into being ready to be alert and working (for me gigs are a job and I approach them as such ). That + coffee before and soda during let's me drum up some energy and play the role of entertainer

 

[mpm32]

5-hour energy is better for me. Red Bull gave me the shakes the few times I have tried it. I drink one before every gig. I did accidentally get a 5-hour extra once. It felt like I was on coke! (I am guessing the feeling, never have done coke) I was talking a million miles a minute. I don't normally drink anything with caffeine so these really effect me.

 

[Slater]

BL texted the group about a few criticisms from Saturday's gig. She added that I looked really tired.

To BL…
“You’re very perceptive. That’s because I was tired.”

 

[Axtman]

My BL did know it was a couple of long work weeks for me and that I had another event to go to earlier that day. I even tried to get a last minute replacement. The BL is lucky that I even showed up since I had to rush out of my even to go to the gig. I gave the guitar player my equipment last practice to take to the gig since I would not have time to go home and get it.

 

[Axtman]

In between songs I leaned on the upright piano to rest. I am actually glad the drums were loud since it kind of kept me awake.

 

[Reedt2000]

My BL did know it was a couple of long work weeks for me and that I had another event to go to earlier that day. I even tried to get a last minute replacement. The BL is lucky that I even showed up since I had to rush out of my even to go to the gig. I gave the guitar player my equipment last practice to take to the gig since I would not have time to go home and get it.

That's dedication. If the BL knew this, then it's in poor taste to say anything about it (IMHO). Maybe the comment was intended as a good-nature dig at you? It can be hard to read jokes & sarcasm in texts, even with these little buggers

 

[JRA]

I left right after the gig went home, unloaded and fell asleep on the couch in my clothes.

sometimes that's all you can do! too pooped to pop!

 

[MCS4]

Props for powering through a tough situation, but I admit that I don't have a problem with the bandleader letting you know if your tiredness was so noticeable from the perspective of the band or (more importantly) the crowd that it impacted the quality of the gig.

 

[El Güero]

BL texted the group about a few criticisms from Saturday's gig. She added that I looked really tired.

That's pretty lame, imo.

I'd text her a day or two before the next gig and say you can't make it. If she says anything about the short notice tell her you would have texted her earlier, but you were too tired.

 

[cxcxcx]

I'd accept critiques from a bandleader if said bandleader was paying me a livable full-time salary. I'd also accept them cheerfully if the BL had demonstrated longtime success and superior musical know how. Otherwise, no way.

 

[garp]

Props for powering through a tough situation, but I admit that I don't have a problem with the bandleader letting you know if your tiredness was so noticeable from the perspective of the band or (more importantly) the crowd that it impacted the quality of the gig.

I don't necessarily disagree here. But from the OP's information, the group text came from the BL, not the entire band, and there's no indication that audience complaints were its genesis. Something more tactful would've been appropriate here. Maybe a personal text – or better yet a phonecall – to the effect of: "I couldn't help but notice that you seemed really tired the other night. Is everything okay?" Or maybe I'm just being too sensitive.

 

[FugaziBomb]

BL texted the group about a few criticisms from Saturday's gig. She added that I looked really tired. I texted back that I had been working two weeks nonstop 12 hour days and had been working 8 hours that day before the gig. Then I played for 3 hours. So yeah I was tired. I even leaned on the upright piano between songs to rest for a bit. I left right after the gig went home, unloaded and fell asleep on the couch in my clothes.

I work 10 hour days (6a to 4:30p) 5 days a week and 6 hours (7a - 12p) every Saturday and still do my all to put on a great, energetic stage show. You got to do what you got to do - can't be looking tired up there. No offense.

 

[Nevada Pete]

We had a solution for physical exhaustion back in the day. Killed a lot of production people. I ran out of #$%$# at the end of a three day / three show run where I didn't sleep and blacked out in my truck going 55 MPH. I hit the barrier so hard I bent a wheel in half! Woke up sideways on the highway. Never saw it coming. Had no idea I was going to black out like that. It was the last time I made that mistake.

 

[nilorius]

Don't worry, you just loose your precision, try to sleep some time and eat a normal breakfast, everything will be fine.

 

[FugaziBomb]

That's dedication. If the BL knew this, then it's in poor taste to say anything about it (IMHO). Maybe the comment was intended as a good-nature dig at you? It can be hard to read jokes & sarcasm in texts, even with these little buggers

I would disagree with this. It's the BL's job to make sure the shows are tight. You can't have guys leaning on pianos and getting sleepy eyed when you've got a job to do up there.

 

[grimjim]

I have spurts where I work those kind of hours also, sometimes more. When it's over it's back to normal hours. If it's a one time or rare occasional thing, it should be no problem for anyone. She knows what you're capable of, that's why you're in the band. If however it becomes a frequent thing, she may need to consider a lineup change.

I mean no one is on their A game every single night when you're playing in a steadily working band. Exhaustion, colds, family issues......It's when it becomes more frequent that it becomes a problem.

 

[gln1955]

I'm sure there is something you could critique about the BL's performance. Use the group text.

Calling out anybody in front of the band is lame, period.