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Cold weather gigs?

MuthaFunk

MuthaFunk

May 8, 2007
2,940
1,899
GTA Ontario Canada
#1
Had a great outdoor gig last night.


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With Covid Delta still a thing, most of the bars haven't started up with full band live music yet. However the outdoor private party scene seems to have exploded and we're booked well into November. By the third set last night I realized the cold weather will be a factor going forward. It took three tunes of jumping around and getting my heart rate up before I could feel my fingers. As the weather gets cooler this is going to be a problem.

I figured I'd task the venues and organizers with providing some kind of space heaters but I can see that will likely be an afterthought for them and more than likely will be inadequate to the task.

How have any of you dealt with gigging in the cold?
 

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#3
Planning to turn down most of these sorts of things this winter. The ones in hot weather here are just as bad and I'm getting too old to be treated like this, frankly. I have better things to do with my time than freeze on an outdoor stage for the kind of money we get paid nowadays.

I don't have much advice beyond think about how much it's worth to you.
 
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#5
I agree the value of cold gigs is questionable. There's one desirable place we play regularly and don't want to back out of the cold gigs to risk losing the gig altogether. Popping one of these burners on top of a propane tank has been a game changer. Sometimes we'll have one on each side of the stage. Can make a very cold night quite comfortable. Of course you have to take extra caution with it, but, beats freezing you're butt off Mr. Heater Tank-Top Propane Heater - Single Burner, 15,000 BTU, Electronic Ignition, Model# MH15TS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PX1R4BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ERK50YQ25AAS4KTPNZTT
 
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#8
tshapiro said:
I agree the value of cold gigs is questionable. There's one desirable place we play regularly and don't want to back out of the cold gigs to risk losing the gig altogether. Popping one of these burners on top of a propane tank has been a game changer. Sometimes we'll have one on each side of the stage. Can make a very cold night quite comfortable. Of course you have to take extra caution with it, but, beats freezing you're butt off Mr. Heater Tank-Top Propane Heater - Single Burner, 15,000 BTU, Electronic Ignition, Model# MH15TS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PX1R4BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ERK50YQ25AAS4KTPNZTT
Click to expand...

I’ve always wanted one of those but don’t have a regular need for one. One of the November gigs is a better paying Corporate Christmas party gig so perhaps this is the chance.
 
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#11
The thing about cold weather is, if your fingers get cold, they get slow. Your ear/brain/fingers are all calibrated to a certain "finger speed". When you fingers don't move that fast, NOTHING you can do can fix it - it's just awful - you know perfectly well how to play, but your...simply can't do it well.

So, when you have to play in cool weather, do everything you can to keep your hands warm. Even indoor gigs in the winter ( I have lots of those) I'm very conscientious about wearing gloves in the short trip from the car into the place - it matters. A couple minutes in cold weather, - it can take half an hour for your fingers to get back up to speed.
 
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#12
micguy said:
The thing about cold weather is, if your fingers get cold, they get slow. Your ear/brain/fingers are all calibrated to a certain "finger speed". When you fingers don't move that fast, NOTHING you can do can fix it - it's just awful - you know perfectly well how to play, but your...simply can't do it well.

So, when you have to play in cool weather, do everything you can to keep your hands warm. Mittens, heaters - whatever it takes. In actual cold weather,.....you're screwed.
Click to expand...
That's been my experience, and it completely sucks. I never lived in Canada like the OP, but I lived on the east coast where it's a lot colder than it is here, and outdoor gigs in the winter there (back then) were very rare. I recall one show where we rented a big propane heater but it didn't really do much on an open stage against the cold wind. If it's on the band to rent something like that, you better factor it into the prices you're quoting :(

The other thing to consider is that, if it's that cold, who is going to stand outside to watch you play?
 
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#15
we played a private party this weekend and lost our crowd to the fire near where we were playing. the lack of people watching made it tough to keep going but after, the people came up to us and said we sounded great from where they were. Didn't help the vibe during the set though.

But as an upright player in a fast playing fiddle/bluegrass band, cold gigs are the best - until you stop. After that, you have to warm yourself while packing your gear as quickly as possible to avoid the dew and moisture. Last time we played a party at the same spot, our mando and guitar player learned a valuable lesson - keep your case closed! The inside was soaked with dew after our sets.
 
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#18
Temps in central Ohio were in the high 50°s, at gig time, this past Friday (~7:30)... of course, they went a little downhill, from there.

Any complaints I did have were soon cast aside, as one of the cute servers lit the fire pit, warming my chestnuts near an open blaze.

I love this time of year, especially when our gigs don't interfere with the Buckeyes playing.
 
#19
So Anyway, we've played a lot of fall festivals and cold rainy outdoor gigs. Don't expect the venue to accommodate you to make sure you're comfortable. We've had to play outside while the guests were moved to a heated tent...and there was no room for us.

I always bundle up in layers. Get some good heavy boots & socks, thermals, cold weather vest/jacket and fingerless gloves. Heating packets for your feet & pockets. If your feet are cold, you'll never really warm up.
 
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#20
No one turns up if it is too cold so venues stop those bookings.
Venue supplies heaters too but waste of money if the attendence is poor.

Many places have actually put their business loans into their gardens either with a marquee or little out house type buildings/constructions or canopies of a permanent nature but they have a use all through the summer as either shade or shelter.
 

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