Playing while sick

[funkinbottom]

Sweat that sucker out!

Don't mix alcohol in with medications

This is good advice. ^^ That is why exactly why I don't take medicine. I get to the gig, set up, then belly up to the bar and knock back a couple phlegm cutters of choice. This should get ya sweatin' before you can even strike a note. By end of gig I usually feel much better.

 

[Ric5]

I have a gig on tomorrow that I have to play. I am already subbing for another bassist who hurt his shoulder. The BL cannot find a sub for me.

I was feeling sick yesterday and today. What advice do you have to get through the gig tomorrow? Thanks.

chicken soup
vitamin C
vitamin D
plenty of sleep

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Luckily I am not singing. I am going to ask for help to carry my gear in and I may sit on a tall stool.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[swafran]

Testicles and dayquil should get you through

 

[electracoyote]

I have always wondered how live performers keep going when they are sick.

I remember a documentary about either punk music or Green Day, I can't remember which, but they were interviewing the three guys in Green Day and they were all a shade of pale green, like death warmed over, red-rimmed eyes, snot dripping uncontrollably, sweaty, they could barely breathe or talk. They were obviously sharing the same URI/cold/flu, but they said the show must go on and they got up on stage and performed that way. In a strange sick punk way I think they were quite proud of themselves for grossing everyone out.

 

[Big Hoss]

Our drummer played a gig not too long prior to Hurricane Harvey where he would periodically stop, turn behind him and barf in the trash can behind his drum kit.

Needless to say, the gig totally sucked, but we got through it.

I've played countless times with a sinus infection and fever.

 

[And I]

i will skip a gig if i am REALLY sick or otherwise incapacitated. the flu, a herniated disc, hyperthyroid flareup, recovering from surgery, etc... i.e. where i literally cannot play. if i have a cold, i'll get some good sleep and fill up on advil cold and sinus before the show. but you know your body best. if you think you can still play well, do the gig. if you think you will be hurting the band by being up there, don't be.

 

[BassPilot]

Afrin for congestion (SERIOUSLY good stuff!!). Asprin/Tylenol/Ubrprofen for body aches.
Start taking Cold-Eze and in 2 days your symptoms will be all but gone though you may still have the cold/flu.

 

[Jscriv]

Theraflu. Can't beat that stuff

 

[admh1972]

Bourbon

 

[Liam Wald]

This will probably sound bad to a lot of folks. I have played quite a few gigs while ill and here is what gets me through. I go buy an extra large coffee to go, drink down about half, then re-fill it with a brandy. I drink half of that during set up and then finish it off by the end of the gig.

 

[chadds]

Mild case of Ebola with a touch of SARS. Go play. The show must go on.

 

[Big Hoss]

It bears mentioning, this seems to be the nastiest flu season I can recall. There are only 2 other people in my office today, been like that for a couple of days. Some tried coming in but barfed their way out the door... Some are working remote and doing badly...

 

[BlitzCraig]

I'm sure it's not great for the long-term, but Dayquil+Energy Drink has gotten me through some very difficult days

 

[jnuts1]

I have a gig on tomorrow that I have to play. I am already subbing for another bassist who hurt his shoulder. The BL cannot find a sub for me.

I was feeling sick yesterday and today. What advice do you have to get through the gig tomorrow? Thanks.

Just pull it together and do it. there isn't really a magic fix it for sickness.
I left the ER, had my girlfriend drive me 2hrs north just past Milwaukee and I played 1.5hrs at a blues fest while sweating bullets and pretending I was cool.....

 

[HamOnTheCob]

In 2016, I had 2 surgeries on a Wednesday and played a show on Saturday. I'm not the guy who usually says "suck it up" but in the case of playing a show while sick, suck it up. LoL

 

[micguy]

What I find is that at downbeat my body kicks into high gear and then immediately falls apart once we're done.

Adrenaline. I has gotten me through a few tough ones, including one with a 103 degree fever.

 

[bassliner50]

Singing whilst sick is to be avoided. If only playing, keep tissues handy on the gig. Get rest, drink fluids. This too will pass.

 

[Kragnorak]

More than once I've played gigs with the flu. What I find is that at downbeat my body kicks into high gear and then immediately falls apart once we're done. Don't know if that's helpful or not.

Thankfully I haven't had to gig with the flu because I would NOT be excited to move equipment, but this is my experience with illnesses in general. Music causes a natural high and I tend to get through the gig without too many issues; driving home is a WHOLE OTHER MATTER.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Puke bucket.

Enough OTC medicine to numb you up good.

Don't mix alcohol in with medications. IME, in general, alcoholic beverages make things better only temporarily, then much worse.

You don't mention having to sing. If you don't, thank your lucky stars.

The show must go on.

Much paracetamol plus alcohol = new liver, please