Stage attire

[Pings Bass]

Since I've played a mostly non-rock genres in recent years, it's mostly slacks and a dress shirt for me, sometimes with a tie and/or jacket. If I were playing a bar gig, I might tone it down to Oregon style (hiking boots, Carhartts and a tee), but I haven't played that kind of gig for years.

 

[2112]

My stage footwear game has been refined over decades of performances...

Aside from that it's cargo shorts and a cut-off tee all the way down.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Boots, or Chuck Taylors. As long as the sole doesn't have deep grooves. They make it harder to operate a pedalboard. I like these from Thursday boots.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

It really depends on the gig. More often than not I wear Red Wing Iron Rangers in distressed charcoal with jeans and a t-shirt or maybe some kind of patterned dress shirt. Other times shorts and flip flops are perfectly fine.

 

[Pilgrim]

Here's a clue for free: feet do not improve with age!

I wear New Balance trail running shoes, and I use an additional padded insole in them. I also bring a rubber work mat to stand on while playing. Just wear black shoes and socks and no one notices what you're wearing anyway.

 

[Marc valero]

Boots and shoes are cool, but when schleping the pa and standing for 3 or 4 sets sometimes on cement, it's athletic shoes for casual bar gigs and I always put in the foam insoles.

 

[perfektspace6]

None of my shoes are bad looking, but comfort is still key for me. I've never noticed an audience members looking at my shoes and shaking their heads in disgust.

I agree comfort is important but you don't need to sacrifice looking good to achieve it (not saying you do).

I think audiences look at a performers overall aesthetic more than anything else. When I see a band I take note of their attire and appreciate when there is some thought put into it. It is easier to hold peoples attention when they are looking at someone dressed attractively or uniquely. Entertainment is a much visual as it is whatever music is being played, perhaps more so.

Bad or bland style doesn't ruin a gig but it certainly does not help.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I like lace-up boots for the added ankle support. That really helps when standing around for a couple of hours. I don't like overly squishy insoles or midsoles either. They are designed for motion, not standing still.

 

[kevindahl]

I play in a rock cover band. Shirt and a tie woul look goofy. Clean shoes, shirt and jeans are all that's required these days.

I have said this before, times have changed for bands and the gigs we do. People just don't care and some make a huge deal outta what to wear.

 

[P. Aaron]

Dr. Martens 1460’s. Always.

One can re-sole Red Wings. Just remember to have heel guards installed to lengthen the life of the sole.

My band mates said "Red Wings are expensive!" I replied; "Sure are. And a re-sole costs as much as a pair of Doc Martens. My Red Wing shoes are both over 10 years old now. How many pairs of shoes have y'all gone through in that time?"

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

For Rock gigs, usually a pair of my Puma Driving Shoes, or my Black and White Chucks. Same for church stuff. I only wear dress shoes, if the situation calls for slacks, or black jeans, or a suit or tux. So 75% of the time, its a pair of Pumas and a matching Lathon Bass Wear tee shirt.

 

[P. Aaron]

Boots and shoes are cool, but when schleping the pa and standing for 3 or 4 sets sometimes on cement, it's athletic shoes for casual bar gigs and I always put in the foam insoles.

Depending upon the gig, I show up dressed to load-in and load-out but, then dress for the show. It's all in the planning.

It's easier if there's a routine to the band's gig schedule. When in doubt, pack for the schlepp and dress for the show.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I agree comfort is important but you don't need to sacrifice looking good to achieve it (not saying you do).

I think audiences look at a performers overall aesthetic more than anything else. When I see a band I take note of their attire and appreciate when there is some thought put into it. It is easier to hold peoples attention when they are looking at someone dressed attractively or uniquely. Entertainment is a much visual as it is whatever music is being played, perhaps more so.

Bad or bland style doesn't ruin a gig but it certainly does not help.

I guess that is why the RHCPs are so popular. They take comfort to a new level. They know how to "sock" it to their audience.

 

[dave64o]

My typical gig outfit is a nice pair of jeans, a button down shirt that's usually a dark color, and black dress shoes. I don't wear a tie, but if it's a nicer place I might wear a black or dark gray jacket with either my typical dark button-down or sometimes a dark t-shirt under it.

We have some outdoor gigs coming up and I may relax my guidelines based on how hot it is and how likely it is that we'll get rain on those days.

 

[Mastermold]

Close toed shoes

 

[kesslari]

I think I'll wear these to tonight's gig.

 

[SumOne]

 

[dave64o]

I think I'll wear these to tonight's gig.View attachment 4700005

If we add a few more ZZ Top songs to our playlist, I might have to buy something like that.

 

[RoaDan]

I wasn't sure where to put this but here goes. Normally when I play out I dress up. Sometimes a coat and tie but usually always a dress shirt. The other day I got a call to do a gig on very short notice. No rehearsal. 3 sets. I knew maybe 1/3 of the tunes. I asked the band leader do you guys dress up? He said usually just t shirts and jeans. My question is this, when I dress for a gig I usually wear dress shoes. But on this gig that wouldn't have worked. I felt funny wearing tennis shoes but what else can you wear with jeans? So this is my question. What kind of shoes do y'all wear on gigs?

Yep... that's me but I have multiple iterations of the colors... it's a thing with me...

 

[SoCal80s]

Footwear is your chance to add some bling. They are at eye level if you have a stage, and it's small enough area that you can add sparkle and still look dressed up. You can find all kinds of colorful boots and Chucks.