Lack of style

[Eilif]

Alot of musicians forget that they are "performers". Like any performance, your visual is important. Here's my thoughts from a previous topic with emphasis added.

When it comes to gigwear, the answer is "It's all relative". The key is giving it some thought and (in almost all cases) adjusting a bit for the show. If it's a corporate event, maybe button up and put on a tie. If it's a summer town festival maybe something more casual. The key is to fit what you wear to the style of music and the event. If it's a rock pop-rock gig, maybe (if you can pull it off) some skinny jeans, chucks and a cool t-shirt.

It doesn't have to cost alot of $, but I don't understand folks who want to look like a shmoe on stage. It's a performance for heaven sakes. Respect the fact that the audience have not come to see a bunch of average guys on stage and have some fun with what you wear. Besides, many audience members wouldn't be able to tell a good band from a crap band and are going to judge you as much (perhaps more) on how you look as how you sound.

For myself, it varies alot, but tend toward western shirts and slim T-shirts and either skinny jeans or boot-cuts depending on the footwear. Look like a rockstar, feel like a rockstar, get treated like a rockstar.

One last thing -and this is my own personal rant- when it comes to looking good fit is everything. That doesn't mean you have to wear skinny tight clothes. What it means is regardless of your size/build/weight, the "coolest" most expensive clothes are going to look shabby if they aren't the right size or a good fit for your build.

 

[timocharis]

Used to think just put a flower pot on your head and you're good to go, but now I'm wondering if maybe it's time for a Nehru jacket revival. Then again, monster bell bottoms always seem to do the trick.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Something that's not been discussed yet is balancing a specific "look" or image with your own personal comfort onstage. For instance, my body tends to always run hot so if I were to take a summertime gig outside (especially here in Texas!!) there's no way in hell I'd be wearing a full suit, multiple layers or anything that doesn't breathe or allow some airflow; to me I'd rather dress comfortably within the style for the gig than dress to the nines and be pouring sweat onstage in front of a crowd. My solution is small high-powered fan plugged into my pedalboard (best musical purchase I've ever made!) that's always pointed at me.

Definitely agree that the audience deserves a performance for their money these days! It's always a bit weird to me when I go to see a band play and I can't tell if the performers onstage are homeless or not (insert jokes here).

 

[bassstrangler]

I've always felt that one is performing and should look like you are a step above casual. I've never understood the looking like a slob approach. Jeans and a t-shirt are ok if they are nice and not dirty or worn out. Geddy Lee pulls it off this look off.

Looking like you just got done working in the yard or fell out of bed and put the first thing on that you found in the hamper seems to be the norm for a lot of cover bands I've seen.

I've always preferred wearing something nice and maybe a bit more flashier than normal. Not a costume my any means. But hey, I wanna look good in front of people.

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Another thing I'd like to add is I don't necessarily agree with the age being a factor. There's a reason why certain artists and bands have a following of all ages and it's not always the musical content or technical ability of set musicians. Eg- The Rolling Stones, The O'Jay's, Elvis, Prince, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Beyonce, Metallica, James Brown, Micheal Jackson, to name a few. What do they have in common? They dress up their parts and put on a show.

Note: Some of my short list has people that have passed but still attract people of all ages.
FF

 

[FlatwoundFunk]

Something that's not been discussed yet is balancing a specific "look" or image with your own personal comfort onstage. For instance, my body tends to always run hot so if I were to take a summertime gig outside (especially here in Texas!!) there's no way in hell I'd be wearing a full suit, multiple layers or anything that doesn't breathe or allow some airflow; to me I'd rather dress comfortably within the style for the gig than dress to the nines and be pouring sweat onstage in front of a crowd. My solution is small high-powered fan plugged into my pedalboard (best musical purchase I've ever made!) that's always pointed at me.

Definitely agree that the audience deserves a performance for their money these days! It's always a bit weird to me when I go to see a band play and I can't tell if the performers onstage are homeless or not (insert jokes here).

I feel you on the sweat issue. As a big dude, I sweat in the cool weather sometimes.

As a suggestion, pending on what you are playing, you can use it to your stage presence advantage. Sweat also gives the appearance of working hard to your audience. Like your making a effort to entertain them. James Brown was a master of this "technique". Having a sweated out hair due gave the visual appearance or affect of him giving it all. Not saying to do this all the time but if you get sweaty, work it into your performance. Start making faces like your working hard. Work it with your singer to point it out to the audience without mentioning hot hot it is. I remember a Prince performance where he did this. He started sweating bad (I guess) and he says in the mic that, "this band is so funky, they gonna make me sweat my suit out". Then adds, "somebody get me another suit ready". But never changed his suit from what I remembered.
FF

 

[_godspeed_]

How did this band do?

They're still playing and recording albums. I moved to Canada 4.5 years ago

 

[bassstrangler]

@zontar nails it.

Do what works for the given situation.

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And plenty more where those came from...

My cousin wore a shirt like this to my Grandmother's funeral. His brother wore a nice Harley Davidson t-shirt with a stain.

 

[Kim Jong Funk]

It's a when-in-Rome situation. When I was in a band in the '90s, We wore jeans, t-shirts, and skate shoes and it matched the music that we were playing and looked cool for who we were playing for. I also wore a long wallet chain, and would sometimes wear a tee, long shorts, white tube socks pulled all the way up and skate shoes (kind of a metal-cholo look). It worked well, and got us attention from major record labels.

Even Henry Rollins has the iconic look of black sweat shorts, no shirt, and barefoot. The Ramones; skinny jeans, sneakers and t-shirts/leather jackets. Gwar and Slipknot...well, it worked for them, too.

You can also go the Jaco route, and do Native American warpaint, skullcaps, flowing silk pants, etc. Victor Wooten in the '90s looked like Surf Magazine met the Cosby Show.

Whatever; anything can work.

 

[PortlandBass77]

You can wear them all you want just not in stage or otherwise at any kind of gig.

Well the icon implies I wear cargo shorts at gigs, and no one will stop me! (Well, I do where jeans if it's freezing you $$$ off weather....)

 

[T Bassman]

Stats are such that 70% of audience perception relies on the visual elements of your show, including wardrobe! Crazy stuff!
Folks listen with their eyes it turns out.

 

[StudioGC]

Phil gets it.

 

[RoadRanger]

Hey, just changed my avatar to my "summer uniform". What you can't see is that those are cargo shorts and that I'm wearing white ankle socks - no sandals though, gotta get me some . This was a Woodstock era folk-rock gig but the "Hawaiian cowboy beach-bum FOG" look works for everything LOL.

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

If and when I happen to have a band, I would like to wear masks. Not because I'm a Slipknot fan, rather than I think masks are cool, I think I'm ugly and the mask would take away several factors of nervousness and anxiety.
In terms of clothes, tuxedos, short-sleeved or long-sleeved button-up shirts with a tie or tactical gear would be interesting.

 

[Big Hoss]

@zontar nails it.

Do what works for the given situation.

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And plenty more where those came from...

Where are those from?

 

[Watchootognbout]

There is often a direct correlation between how a band looks and how the band sounds
Very few pro-level bands go on stage looking like they just stepped out of the checkout line a Home Depot.

What does this guys clothes say about his pro level playing?
Or what does his playing say about his clothes?
Or does neither have anything to do with either?

 

[BlueAliceOasis]

What does this guys clothes say about his pro level playing.
Or what does his playing say about his clothes.
Or does neither have anything to do with either?

I would say the latter. One has nothing to do with the other, but boy does he sound real good.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I believe this is why "Live Music" venues are declining. People want to be entertained. When they go out to see live music, especially if they paid for it, they want to see a show. A performance. Something different than their everyday experiences. This IMO is why the bands from the 70's & 80's were so ground breaking. Not only did they custom, they actually performed. Not just played.
FF

There is truth in this. We don't just stand there and look at our shoes. We engage in the same kind of play-acting that you see in professional wrestling. When one of the guitarists has a flashy solo, we hoot and holler at him, like he's having this great breakthrough, even though he's playing exactly the same line as he did the night before. Etc. It is, most definitely, a performance.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

What does this guys clothes say about his pro level playing?
Or what does his playing say about his clothes?
Or does neither have anything to do with either?

What the video says to me is that he is deeply engaged in what he's doing. In an intimate setting like this, his smile, his technique with tuning, even just the way he rocks his body, all telegraph this. I'd say he's dressed appropriately--nothing should draw attention away from what he's doing on the instrument.

 

[Kmonk]

I really don't care what a band looks like as long as they sound good and respect the audience. However, you should never wear sweatpants, cutoff shorts, etc while on stage. I won't even wear shorts on stage. I see nothing wrong with a clean pair of jeans with a t-shirt or button down shirt depending on the venue.