How much do looks really matter?

[PennyroyalWe]

What are your thoughts on gig attire? I play in a local originals rock/indie group, nothing major or much of a following but we’re starting to get some traction. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what to wear to gigs, what I should wear anyway. Normally my mind set has been wear what’s comfortable, casual, but not sloppy; but lately we’ve played with a few band that really have a “look” so to say. Nothing outrageous like costumes, but something of a theme amongst them. I think it looks pretty good onstage, but they kinda look like tools before/after the set. I suppose the best scenario would be something inconspicuous but distinctive...what’s others’ rule of thumb when dressing for a gig, do looks really matter that much?

 

[AaronVonRock]

Personally, I like it when a band has "a look" and looks like a band. The Hives immediately come to mind.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[fretter]

No matter what you look like, your clothes should be well fitting. This may require suspenders, alterations (dry clearers do some of them), and dry cleaned outfits.

 

[saabfender]

Yes. People listen with their eyes. This is why gigging in shorts makes you sound worse.

 

[AaronVonRock]

 

[AaronVonRock]

 

[AaronVonRock]

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[saabfender]

Uniforms? Uniforms!?

 

[Jughead6]

The bass player gets to wear a flat cap.

 

[Oddly]

From the examples shown above, I think the Ramones win.

I'm in the camp that says dress a level above your audience.
My personal preference would be simple and classic ... the 'Resevoir Dogs' look.

That's probably best suited (pun intended) to a soul band though.

As for the 'looking like tools before/after the show' thing, that's what changing rooms/backs of vans/toilets are for...
Well, that and other activities, but that's for a different thread.

 

[hrodbert696]

View attachment 3248322 View attachment 3248323

But they probably looked like tools walking around like that before/after the set!

I think you should definitely think about a band look. It doesn't have to be over the top, but it should be consistent among members of the band, and it should look like you ARE a band. What that look is depends on who you are as individuals and what kind of band it is. Yes, you may stand out a bit and be self-conscious walking around the bar during breaks. Own it. You're a performer, and a show is a SHOW.

Sometimes it's jeans-and-T-shirt, but pick WHICH jeans and T-shirt. Don't look like you just came from mowing the lawn or playing a round of golf and figured you'd play a gig (unless you're in certain country or blues bands).

 

[AaronVonRock]

But they probably looked like tools walking around like that before/after the set!

I saw Rob Halford after a Judas Priest concert around 3am at a Mr. Donut in Tokyo in 2005. Disappointingly, he was in street clothes. He was holding court at a crowded table eating pastries and drinking coffee. The best thing about it was that he literally had his pinky in the air when sipping his piping hot coffee. I didn't approach him and tried hard not to stare too much when I was waiting in line for my own delicious donuts.

 

[JRA]

i wear a 'uniform' in one band. much more casual in another. but in neither do we look like the audience. so: it matters in those two bands.

also: some venues can have a 'culture'. patrons can expect to see something special/different whether dress up or dress down.

 

[lbbc]

years ago, I was definitely into wearing "like minded" attire (black and white...mix match BUT black and white) that way we would look like a band and be attired properly for parties or more formal events. Anymore, I'm into comfort. The places we play don't seem to care how we look...just how we sound

 

[ogreboy88]

To distill from the above:

Who does the inner 14 year old of your average audience member wish they could be/sleep with? Dress like that guy/gal.

(...or ironically poke fun at same.)

 

[dBChad]

I always thought a look was gimmick-y.

Professionalism is appreciated, but hair and make-up and costumes are compensating for lack of talent. Gear and Kiss are good examples: their musical talent can politely be described as lukewarm, but that's not what they're known for anyways.

 

[Mordamir]

 

[bolophonic]

I played in a band where all the other guys would roll up onstage looking like they just got mugged on the way home from a long fishing trip. It was not the type of band or audience where attention to one’s appearance was mandatory, but I just couldn’t hang with the slovenly atmosphere that the rest of the guys cultivated.