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Wearing shorts on stage.
- Thread starter invader3k
- Start date
And a band leader such as myself would never allow an attitude such as yours on board to earn $100 - $400 on 200+ gigs per year....so it works out mutually
That is good money, don't get me wrong...and if your happy with it, that is truly all that matters. I am saying this not to belittle but simply to offer contrast between $600-$800 vs. $6000-$8000 gigs, and share my experience for those who may be new to the game of forming a band with the purpose of making 100% of your living playing music.
In this game (your bands game is probably totally different and requies a totally different look...I get that), attire and image do matter. Bands like mine that earn $5000 - $8000 per Wedding or Corporate Event take image very seriously. In fact, it is a major point of discussion with every wedding couple and Event planner who books my band. During meetings, we always sit down with them to discuss and offer options regarding attire. This allows each client to taylor the style (casual - formal) of the entertainment to best suit their event requirements.
Please...this is intended only as advice to those in the high end wedding and Corporate event game...and those aspiring to find success in that particular area.
Chipter said:The question here really should be
"What bass should I play while wearing shorts?".
Clearly the J is out with shorts.
The question here really should be
"What bass should I play while wearing shorts?".
A long scale bass to compensate for the short pants
jive1
Commercial User
I didn't know that shorts mean no money. I wore shorts last night for a gig with a 6 piece Reggae band where I pocketed over $200 and a bar tab. We also have an outdoor wedding gig coming up, and I plan on wearing shorts for that.
Something not mentioned on this thread is the concept of Beach Music and Beach Culture. I'm not talking "Beach Music" as in oldies Soul music that is popular in Coastal Carolina, although it includes that. I'm talking about the music that is suitable for a Summer beach party such as Reggae, Jimmy Buffett, Surf music, etc. For this kind of music, it's not only OK to wear shorts, it's almost expected. Like fedoras for Blues, cowboy hats for Country, and black T-shirts for Rock, shorts are a common attire for a Beach band.
Shorts are also a common attire for beach culture as well. I've been to a couple weddings in Florida, and I was surprised to see guys wearing Hawaiian T-shirts and Bermuda shorts for the reception (including the father of the Bride). It also wasn't uncommon for guys to wear "beach clothes" to work as well, with lots of guys downtown in their bermudas (expensive ones at that).
If you're playing Jazz or R&B, definitely ditch the shorts. Actually for lots of gigs, it's good to ditch the shorts. Playing a wedding or corporate where they expect you to dress up, definitely ditch the shorts. But, if you are playing a beach gig, you would probably look ridiculous in long pants, IMO. Well, unless you're one of those guys with pasty white spindly legs. Sorry, but you just need to sweat it out for while.
Something not mentioned on this thread is the concept of Beach Music and Beach Culture. I'm not talking "Beach Music" as in oldies Soul music that is popular in Coastal Carolina, although it includes that. I'm talking about the music that is suitable for a Summer beach party such as Reggae, Jimmy Buffett, Surf music, etc. For this kind of music, it's not only OK to wear shorts, it's almost expected. Like fedoras for Blues, cowboy hats for Country, and black T-shirts for Rock, shorts are a common attire for a Beach band.
Shorts are also a common attire for beach culture as well. I've been to a couple weddings in Florida, and I was surprised to see guys wearing Hawaiian T-shirts and Bermuda shorts for the reception (including the father of the Bride). It also wasn't uncommon for guys to wear "beach clothes" to work as well, with lots of guys downtown in their bermudas (expensive ones at that).
If you're playing Jazz or R&B, definitely ditch the shorts. Actually for lots of gigs, it's good to ditch the shorts. Playing a wedding or corporate where they expect you to dress up, definitely ditch the shorts. But, if you are playing a beach gig, you would probably look ridiculous in long pants, IMO. Well, unless you're one of those guys with pasty white spindly legs. Sorry, but you just need to sweat it out for while.
I played an outdoor last night in 90+ humidity and wore long jeans and a black button-up shirt.
To quote someone above: "Shorts? Never!"
Of course, metal bands can get away with cargo shorts as well as tattoos, chains, gauges, piercings, and pointy instruments. But I don't play metal nor do I have any of those (except cargo shorts... for BBQs and mowing the grass.)
For everybody else, shorts on stage just looks bush league. IMO!!!
(Thanks to those who posted pics in shorts, it really cements that it's not right... for me. )
Part of the fun of playing in a band (again, for me) is getting to dress up a little. I have several articles of clothing that I wear only for gigs; I wouldn't wear this stuff anywhere else as it pretty much looks like stage wear. I'm not talking Bootsy-weird, but embroidered shirts and trendy jeans. There's no way I'm going in to a gig looking like I just got done shopping at Kohl's... or mowing the grass...
Edit: Yes, if you're actually standing on sand doing a beach gig, of course, wear shorts. Common sense, people. I think the question of the thread is in regards to the more common bar gig. Anyone would know to wear something formal to a wedding, suits or business to a corporate, shorts for the beach-bar scene, your buddies backyard BBQ, or Reggae music, and cargo shorts with metal stuff attached to your body for metal gigs. Is there really any enlightenment happening with the posts that point out these obvious facts? The question is whether we each think shorts are appropriate for the average pop/rock/country bar gig, and IMO opinion, that's a big NO! For me.
To quote someone above: "Shorts? Never!"
Of course, metal bands can get away with cargo shorts as well as tattoos, chains, gauges, piercings, and pointy instruments. But I don't play metal nor do I have any of those (except cargo shorts... for BBQs and mowing the grass.)
For everybody else, shorts on stage just looks bush league. IMO!!!
(Thanks to those who posted pics in shorts, it really cements that it's not right... for me. )Part of the fun of playing in a band (again, for me) is getting to dress up a little. I have several articles of clothing that I wear only for gigs; I wouldn't wear this stuff anywhere else as it pretty much looks like stage wear. I'm not talking Bootsy-weird, but embroidered shirts and trendy jeans. There's no way I'm going in to a gig looking like I just got done shopping at Kohl's... or mowing the grass...
Edit: Yes, if you're actually standing on sand doing a beach gig, of course, wear shorts. Common sense, people. I think the question of the thread is in regards to the more common bar gig. Anyone would know to wear something formal to a wedding, suits or business to a corporate, shorts for the beach-bar scene, your buddies backyard BBQ, or Reggae music, and cargo shorts with metal stuff attached to your body for metal gigs. Is there really any enlightenment happening with the posts that point out these obvious facts? The question is whether we each think shorts are appropriate for the average pop/rock/country bar gig, and IMO opinion, that's a big NO! For me.
While we're all on the subject.
We play Groove Metal. Whilst I'm not really one to over-think it, 3/4 members of the band had shorts on..the drummer didn't even have a shirt.
I think it just comes down to what's appropriate for the gig/band. Would I dress like this to a wedding gig? No. But, for the local metal scene, who cares?!
We play Groove Metal. Whilst I'm not really one to over-think it, 3/4 members of the band had shorts on..the drummer didn't even have a shirt.
I think it just comes down to what's appropriate for the gig/band. Would I dress like this to a wedding gig? No. But, for the local metal scene, who cares?!
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jive1
Commercial User
This is true for a majority of acts. But, if your act is a "Beach" type of show, then Beach clothing like Hawaiian shirts and shorts are part of your image, and part of what sells your band. If I'm having a Beach gala, I don't think I'd want a bunch of guys playing Jimmy Buffett in tuxedos. But, I wouldn't want them to look like they just stepped off Gilligan's Island either.
Even though they aren't in the $5-8000 range, I know 2 bands that make decent coin doing the Beach thing at weddings and events.
Can we all just agree that it's situational and depends on the band/genre, venue and audience?
How long do your shorts have to be to be acceptable?
Beyond the knee by 2 inches, or 3?
How long do your shorts have to be to be acceptable?
Beyond the knee by 2 inches, or 3?
That's why he said, "During meetings, we always sit down with them to discuss and offer options regarding attire. This allows each client to taylor the style (casual - formal) of the entertainment to best suit their event requirements."
See? He's got it covered. Enlightenment fail.
I don't know about shorts, but at a friend of mine's party I was playing at I played a full 3 hours in socks.
Of course....and if there were a beach in Arizona, we would offer 'beach attire' as an option.
Tacky IMO & IME. You want to be part or the crowd? Then get down there with them. IF you're the hired entertainment - act like it...along with all that goes with a professional act. It's also part of the difference between making a few hundred $$$ as compared to making a thousand $$$ or more
Yes.
But I still wouldn't wear shorts even when standing on sand. Then I dress like Mr. Howell.
