Pre-show warm ups and/or rituals - what do you do?

[Lukeam101]

Stretches, scales, shot of whiskey? My band plays originals at local venues so we generally don't have a lot of deliberate warm up time as we're watching the band before us play then comes the mad dash of gear change between bands. We play a cover song for our sound check which does help work as a warm up also. What do you do to make sure you're ready to go physically and mentally?

 

[5StringBlues]

Mild stretches, plenty water day of gig, a puff or two of dem tweeds right before hitting the stage.

 

[pglaser01]

-Play intro notes to songs so muscle memory takes over

- room temp water only

-just me but I also exercise heavily so I make sure strong cardio days are mornings of show

- meticulously pack, unpack, and repack

-ignore work calls and emails as much as possible….whoops

-steam shower while signing notes to warm up voice while hopefully no one comes home

- Pack car, sing in car to playlist

- the inevitable internal struggle during all of this where I tell myself I suck, why do you bother doing this, you’re awful today, etc.

- feel pretty good about 4-5 minutes prior to show

 

[Wasnex]

Stretches, scales, shot of whiskey? My band plays originals at local venues so we generally don't have a lot of deliberate warm up time as we're watching the band before us play then comes the mad dash of gear change between bands.

Ideally I wash and dry my hands before playing. Not always possible/practical, but I have been known to carry wet wipes for this type of gig. Tune and make a few quick tweaks to my rig. Ready to rock. First song is the warm up.

 

[J Wilson]

I'd always come in at T minus 30:00, get tuned, check everything so all I had to do was walk up, throw it over my shoulder, and go. I'd goof off until it was time to go.

When I was playing 5 or 6 nights a week as I often did, I stayed loose and never needed to warm up.

 

[DirtDog]

Pre-game dump.

 

[jthisdell]

Set up, sound check a song or two, drink half a beer, pee

 

[LowendG]

I'm usually a sub/hired gun, so typically I just roll in w my bass (99% of the time it's all backline w only a line check before starting) maybe an hour before the set to do the hang, and preferably have one pre-gig IPA. But if nobody else in the band is imbibing I will wait 'til after. Gotta read the room.

 

[stigbeve]

Make sure to be nourished and hydrated. I may have a beer or two while we're playing.
Usually no time for any kind of warmup but the bass parts on our songs aren't exactly
physically challenging.

 

[Gearhead17]

Within 1 hour of starting the set

• Bathroom visit
• Wash hands
• Fretboard exercises for at least 15 minutes
• Keys and wallet stored in safe spot
• Get cub/bottle of water

This keeps my hands from cramping during the first few songs. SOMETIMES, I will have an alcoholic beverage, but mostly no. I need to stay sharp up there! Also, I don't feel bad about missing a chunk of the opener's set. I TOO need to play well at this show!

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I like to have a decent meal, lots of water, do mild stretches and take 5 mins before show-time to just zen out. I'll sometimes have a beer or two before we play to loosen up a bit. I tend to warm up on my bass prior to soundcheck instead of the gig.

 

[shoot-r]

FireBall.....

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Usually just crack my back, lift some weights and or take my shirt off, central Texas is HOT 6 months of the year.

 

[gln1955]

I'll run through a couple songs at home before I pack up the car. Then I eat a light meal a couple hours before start time. I pop a couple ibuprofen an hour before start time so my knees and feet will thank me later. Once I'm set up, I just chill and sip water until it's time to make magic.

 

[RJC1811]

I get mildly nervous/tense 5-6 hours before the show. I think about packing gear, travel route and time, etc. After that I’m good. The only catch is if my wife, trying to be nice (but I’ve told her this doesn’t help) makes a big meal that’s ready about the time I wanted to be heading for the gig. It’s the classic, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Get to the gig 1-2 hrs before start, set up, help others if they need it. Sometime in there, plug in my instrument, check levels and eq settings, tune. Then just relax and talk with friends until it’s time for sound check. We do that right before start time. If we do have a few minutes before start time I’ll mute and noodle a bit. I save the beer for the break.

 

[salmon256]

I take them everyday but make sure I had my magnesium supplements to aid with anxiety.

Other than that nothing special just getting excited and going on how I am nervous and making sure I am wearing a nice fashion forward outfit

 

[Groove Doctor]

I seem to be able to just get up and play at the drop of a hat. Takes me 30 seconds max pre-show to get into ‘the zone’. I hit the ground running at full speed from the first few bars. I’m usually Music Director, and counting in the songs if there’s no drummer.

This comes from performing on stage since early childhood. Also playing in Variety Shows where you might only play 1-2 songs and have to be at your peak from the first note.

Also comes from playing in pit orchestras/ musical theatre shows, playing/singing at church, or accompanist for church concerts.

Pre-game dump.

Pre-game twinkle before each set now, esp as I get older and need to dance on stage.

 

[TheReceder]

I play bass... therefore... Cart in the PA, Set up the mains, monitors and lights, then move all the drum and guitar cases away from where I expect to set up my gear, go out and grab my gear, cart it in, move the guitar and drum cases that migrated back again, set up my gear, ring out the monitors and mains, go get a pitcher of ice water and glasses for the band, sit down for a couple minutes, and then get ready for the fun part.

But now... I'm retired.

 

[Wesley R]

In my favorite band, as we hit the stage I would shake the drummers hand and tell him it was an honor to be part of the rhythm section with him, shake the guitar hand and tell him it would be a pleasure to support him, hug the female guitar/keys and tell her that sharing the stage with her filles my heart with joy

 

[Stewie]

Run all the wires. Mics. and extension cords, set up the PA. Tune my basses, finish my coffee, tape a set list to the floor.