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What do you eat before a gig?

#61
At my college it used to be a tradition that before a gig we'd go to a subway where I'd normally get a meatball sub, but since the drummer started bringing his own sandwiches to gigs that has stopped happening and I've been brining a flask of tomato soup instead, usually with some bread.

Mark

Edit: I keep seeing posts mentioning energy drinks, once had quite a few of those and ended up spinning round in circles on stage while playing 'Not Fair' by Lilly Allen, fun tiiimes :)
 
#62
Hydration is far more important than food pre-gig; however, it's important that one not be hungry, either. A good lunch several hours prior with some fat, protein, fiber, and water does it for me. Spinach salad with feta, olives, cukes, and red onion (tuna optional) is a personal favorite, with a big glass of water.
 
#63
selowitch said:
Hydration is far more important than food pre-gig; however, it's important that one not be hungry, either. A good lunch several hours prior with some fat, protein, fiber, and water does it for me. Spinach salad with feta, olives, cukes, and red onion (tuna optional) is a personal favorite, with a big glass of water.
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You can cook for me anytime, win :)
 
#65
I generally try not to eat much at all before a gig, but when I used to be in this cover band with a guitar player that I couldn't stand, I had a special meal I would eat before a gig. I'd have one or two peanut butter sandwiches and some raw broccoli on the side. They'd spend the whole night trying to figure out why the stage smelled like something died. Once I got a beer or three in me on top of it, it would get especially fragrant.
 
#68
drpepper said:
Every time - cheeseburger, leave the bun on the plate, citron...plenty of energy and -60 lbs so far

compare.jpg
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+1

Looking' good!

Protein and veggies will keep you full for a few hours. Too many carbs put in in a sugar rush/crash.
 
#70
having celiacs disease (allergy to wheat, oats and gluten) I find the post gig noshing to be down right miserable. Anything open that late usually has nothing good. . . sometimes I bring cheese sticks and trail mix for the ride home if it's a far away gig

pre-gig I usually eat late in the day and I'm cool throughout the show. I sometimes use these Hi-C energy thingies you pour into a water bottle - much better than coffee IMO
 
#71
carbs carbs carbs. as many as possible. im destined to exert a TREMENDOUS amount of energy flying around and i DONT need my hyperactive pancreas kicking me in the face and telling me its time for my sugar to crash and me to black out.

im never concerned with gassy foods, as thats 90% of my diet. my bandmates can eat a dick. :D

starbucks before a gig always keeps me nice and wound up.

i used to avoid syrupy drinks so i would sing more clearly, but now that 90% of my vocals are scream vocals, i dont worry about it.
 
#73
selowitch said:
Hydration is far more important than food pre-gig; however, it's important that one not be hungry, either. A good lunch several hours prior with some fat, protein, fiber, and water does it for me. Spinach salad with feta, olives, cukes, and red onion (tuna optional) is a personal favorite, with a big glass of water.
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I used to buy this from a small good Greek cafe in London on the way to work, thanks for reminding me of this, I haven't had feta salad for years ; )

I make it in a luchbox with a lid, pour a little good olive oil on top, add some dried mixed herbs, put the lid on and turn it over a few times to coat everything inside, cool.
 
#74
BigOldHarry said:
nothing that will cause me to take a dump during the gig... Really. Fast digesting food : Bad.
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That's a good strategy...
Same with gassy food: You often stand in close proximity to bandmates - blasting gas on them is *not* cool...
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That sounds like an amateur move... Exhibit A: Farting during a gig thread:D

My greatest regret is not scheduling a gig after my colonoscopy. They pump you full of air like the Stay Puff Marshmellow Man Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. It must be like what farting is like in Heaven. More gas than you could dream of. 15 second blasts were effortless. Had to hold back to keep the pitch from going subsonic.

Its just hard to go back to being Jimmy Olson after you've been farting like Superman for a day.

I just eat a normal meal, either before the gig or at it if there's food there. It's not like running a marathon, keep hydrated, have something in your stomach that isn't disruptive and its all good.


Randy
 
#77
Food before the gig? Simple...

Jumbo prawns with a minimum of three dipping sauces.

Enjoy all three flavors, however, depending on the type of music you play, you should use the following guidelines:

  • If you play mostly classic rock, lean toward the standard cocktail sauce.
  • If your more of a jazz player, the alfredo sauce should be your emphasis.
  • If playing screamo hair-twirling metal, dip deeply into the roasted garlic sauce.
These guidelines, which have been established after years of research and development, will help ensure a successful gig.
 
#78
capnsandwich said:
Does anyone else find it important to eat anything specific before they play? If so, what and why?
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Carbs, but a few hours before the gig. During, I go through a lot of water and maybe some Gatoraide Rain or some V8 juice, depending on whether I feel like I want the sugar fix. My wife sings the Ann Wilson part of our show (Heart tribute - Link Removed), and singing Ann Wilson hits for two hours apparently can take it out of you - she goes through a quart of orange juice *and* 4 or 5 bottles of water per gig! Singing and drinking OJ is a mystery to me, but it works for her, apparently.
 
#79
Oh, this is an easy one I've been doing for some time, already had problems almost passing out from lack of food in the past (and I don't drink)

1) pint of chocolate milk on way driving to gig, protein, calories and simple carbs

2 ) bottle of Gatorade for the first set, more carbs and some electrolytes

3 ) Just a coke or pepsi for the second set, more simple carbs

4) third set, bottle of flavoured water, usually that stuff zero carbs/sugar just hydration. At this point I am so full of adrenaline that any more carbs will keep me up all night. This lets me burn off the excess energy/sugars before tear down so I feel tired and can sleep a couple hours after I get home.

Other than that I eat whatever I feel like a few hours before the gig, usually just a sandwich or leftovers.
 

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