I played a festival last weekend that actually specified a no shorts on stage policy in our contract. It ended up being the joke of the day backstage. I only noticed one rebel in shorts all day and he was everyone's hero.
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No shorts in gig contract
- Thread starter markoc
- Start date
Not gonna lie, I follow a no-shorts policy on stage. Except for specific venues (eg; beach boardwalk festival, back yard bbq) I think shorts look sloppy. And not shorts in general, but the people that generally wear shorts on stage like to wear stuff that's sloppy-looking. Depends on situation I suppose. If you're playing biker bars with an older crowd then I guess your camo cargos and muscle tee fit right in. I'm in a top-40 cover band that plays for 20/30-somethings. Can't show up looking like I was just cleaning the garage.
I'm the same way, I just thought it was funny that it was actually in the contract.
I can respect that; you don't have to dress like Peter Gabriel in Genesis, but at the same time, wear something a little showy at least, something that you're not going to be caught going to the grocery store in. If you're in a skate-punk band, that's different, or maybe a Jimmy Buffett/Beach Boys/Surf band kinda vibe; then it fits. Even though I was in the original punk era, I was never down with the "we're just like you in the audience" mentality, and yeah, I enjoyed wearing something flash/outrageous. Unless you're a roadie, shorts are just sloppy.
No one wants to see these chicken legs. 
I never wear shorts on stage. I'll wear linen trousers if it's smokin' hot, or I'll break out a kilt (real freaking kilt, not that utilikilt garbage). Chicks dig kilts...
So they ruled out shorts but not headstock tuners?!?!?
Well, say you're playing a wedding gig, or something like some stuffy social event. While common sense dictates that you show up in a tux, or at the very least, a coat and tie, that's not always a given; band members could easily show up in torn jeans and faded Iron Maiden T-shirts(unless that's been specifically approved of). Any savvy event planner will cover that angle, if presentation/decorum is important. That's probably what's going on there.
Busted, it's the only tuner I can see at daytime gigs.
Outside gig in summer and no shorts allowed? Thats why the good lort invented KILTS!!!
s0c9
Supporting Member
Sorry.. but if it's 95 degrees on stage and 3-5pm.. I'm not sweating my bu-tt off.. I'm wearing shorts !!
Drummers were exempt from this policy btw.
I'm not sure why someone breaking the contract and putting the band's pay at risk would be considered a hero. I'd call him a dumbass.
It's really simple - if you don't like the terms of the contract, don't play.
Meh ... their house, their rules. No forces anyone to sign the contract.
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