What do you wear when you play gigs?

[Marc A Valero]

I usually wear a short sleeve shirt with collar, but wore a T-shirt setting up for a back deck gig in Florida, left the T-shirt on and pulled a still from video for a Facebook post..........
It's a feels like 87 degrees last set with 77% humidity and somebody turned a fan away from the band, no problem, I am cool, because I am the bass player.

 

[51PRI]

We have two outdoor gigs this weekend with weather in the 90's and I'm trying to figure out what to wear. No shorts, though, for sure.
In 60 years we've gone from bands dressing like this

to dressing like this:

 

[Stephen Moore]

There's a big difference between someone saying "this is the music we play, where we play and what works for us" vs. "anyone who wears short on stage is a hack that brings down live music everywhere".

Not saying that has been said in this thread, but I've read it often enough on TB to know it happens. It's just one example of how many can't see past the bubble of their own musical world. It's more telling on them than the people they criticize.

I swear I saw Angus Young wear shorts on stage... he aint no hack!

 

[BlueTalon]

We have two outdoor gigs this weekend with weather in the 90's and I'm trying to figure out what to wear. No shorts, though, for sure.

I've got a gig tonight, not yet sure whether it's indoors or outdoors, as the place has two stages. Either way, for me it's going to be black microfiber pants, a long sleeve Robert Graham shirt (probably with a black vest), black hat, and sunglasses.

The long sleeve shirt has a function. In the heat, I tend to sweat a lot. And when I wear short sleeve shirts, I find myself always having to wipe my bass down, and towel off my hands and arms. Long sleeves save me from having to do that very often.

 

[Groove Doctor]

^^ I could not agree more.

For example, I'll be wearing slim fit black shorts to my gig this Saturday, and it will look awesome.

Rock it !!

I'll wear shorts if doing an outdoors gig in summer… when EVERYONE is wearing shorts. Unfortunately I wear supportive sneakers or orthopaedic type shoes… so I tend towards trousers most of the time despite having really nice legs.

It's about your overall look and fit for the context. Some people know how to look great all the time.

IMO the "rules" (basic guidelines) are simply for the oafs that have zero personal fashion sense and/or no awareness of their context.

 

[Gluvhand]

We have two outdoor gigs this weekend with weather in the 90's and I'm trying to figure out what to wear. No shorts, though, for sure.
In 60 years we've gone from bands dressing like this

to dressing like this:

I've never dressed like either one so "We" haven't gone anywhere.

 

[4StringDave]

I've got a gig tonight, not yet sure whether it's indoors or outdoors, as the place has two stages. Either way, for me it's going to be black microfiber pants, a long sleeve Robert Graham shirt (probably with a black vest), black hat, and sunglasses.

The long sleeve shirt has a function. In the heat, I tend to sweat a lot. And when I wear short sleeve shirts, I find myself always having to wipe my bass down, and towel off my hands and arms. Long sleeves save me from having to do that very often.

Also, for me, keeps the mosquitoes off...

 

[Lazylion]

Got an outdoor gig tomorrow, temp predicted to be around 100 degrees. We'll be in the shade, but still, it'll be shorts and the lightest short-sleeve shirt I can find. And wristbands and sunscreen! Gonna be a sweaty one.

 

[FullumMusic]

So what genres would wearing Air Conditioned Clothing on stage be OK and which genres would it be gauche?

 

[Heiwa]

View attachment 5481439 There are a lot of great things about TalkBass, but wow does it contain some of the most judgmental people on the planet. Don't wear sunglasses, don't wear hats, don't wear music related clothing, don't wear band t-shirts, don't wear YOUR band's t-shirts, don't wear shorts, don't wear sandals and on and on. It must be exhausting finding fault with everything.

Wear anything you like, but do not wear sandals or crocs. Yuck

 

[51PRI]

I've never dressed like either one so "We" haven't gone anywhere.

The collective we. However, many bands that I see, including us, actually dress more like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Gluvhand]

The collective we. However, many bands that I see, including us, actually dress more like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That's great for bumming around the backyard. I don't dress like that to play out. Yes. That is just my opinion. I guess what I'm saying is there really is no collective we as you called it. We're a fairly large spread out bunch here on TB. Different regions, climates, clubs, expectations, genres of music...

 

[Pocket Dave]

The collective we. However, many bands that I see, including us, actually dress more like this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Yeah/naw.

This from the same people who claim live music is dying and they're playing to empty rooms.

I'd rather try to remember we're entertainers and dress accordingly, being mindful of the venue & style of music.

And if everyone else is dressed a certain way; i.e. venue patrons, maybe it's not such a good idea for me to be dressed that way too.

 

[BlueTalon]

I've got a gig tonight, not yet sure whether it's indoors or outdoors, as the place has two stages. Either way, for me it's going to be black microfiber pants, a long sleeve Robert Graham shirt (probably with a black vest), black hat, and sunglasses.

The long sleeve shirt has a function. In the heat, I tend to sweat a lot. And when I wear short sleeve shirts, I find myself always having to wipe my bass down, and towel off my hands and arms. Long sleeves save me from having to do that very often.

So this is what I ended up wearing.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I really think it depends entirely on the venue. A casual backyard beer party... come as the rest of the band does. If its a dance in a hall or a club, you are expected to dress appropriately for the genre. I will say that the clothing I wear now is way different than the 80s ! Yep we did the spandex and big hair thing... and nope not ever goin back lol.

 

[Stephen Moore]

 

[Bag of Lazers]

View attachment 5490785

This is not helping my GAS for an 80s Yamaha BB300...

 

[Stephen Moore]

Super cheap bass but hey, if you can play a cheap precision then you will be fine. I also sported a cheap assed Ibanez. Stupid old strings on em. Heck I think the strings are still on the Yamaha lol.

 

[Stephen Moore]

This is not helping my GAS for an 80s Yamaha BB300...

Oh, never had to worry about the BB300 getting stolen plus if it hot manhandled it wasn't a big deal. Not sure how Id feel about someone mistreating my current lineup.

 

[Stephen Moore]

This is not helping my GAS for an 80s Yamaha BB300...

Oh! Wait bet you didn't notice the bridge? Definitely not stock... high mass, rockin roto sound roundies!