What do you wear when you play gigs?

[brianrost]

I always check that I have pants on before I leave the house

Anything from jeans and T-shirt to suit and tie depending on the gig. I have cowboy shirts for retro country gigs, Hawaiian shirts for hot summer outdoor gigs, etc. I’ll wear a hat on sunny outdoor gigs if there's no shade on the stage.

NO SHORTS EVER.

I don’t own a tux because I've only got called for a tux gig once…the BL loaned me one of his.

 

[Rib 13]

I have a bunch of Wornstar clothes

 

[pepj]

I dress like i look like I'm in the band but in an understated way...

 

[SLO Surfer]

Depends on the band/venue/gig.

With one band (rock/pop/funk/soul) I wear typical jeans/t-shirt or button down, hat, sneakers or cool shoes. Think John Mayer clothes. If we play fancier venues we dress it up more. Coats and ties at weddings, for example.

For my jazz/pop band we wear more modern/jazzy semi-formal. So slacks, dress shoes, button down collared shirt, and optional fancy hats.

For my rock/pop/punk brass band we have a black/gold/white color scheme so I wear as much black and sparkly gold as possible. Black jeans, black or gold t-shirt, sparkly gold baseball hat, shiny gold bomber jacket, and sparkly gold light up led shoes.

I definitely wouldn’t wear one band’s uniform with one of my other band’s.

 

[Marko 1]

I’ve gotten a lot of great advice on TB in many areas, but fashion is not something I’d come here to seek help for.

You might learn a thing or two of what NOT to do.

 

[Marko 1]

Some bands read like the audience is there for them.

I think it's good for a band to look like they're there for the audience.

I think they appreciate, even if just subconsciously, when you show respect for them by putting in the extra bit of effort into your look.

 

[Ostie]

Going back to the original post, if you’re playing at a casino, I’d err on the side of overdressing versus underdressing. Don’t dress like Curt Cobain or The Ramones.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Wear what you will. As an audience member, I find it super cringey when bands dress up like “rockstars”. All black, chains/spikes/studs, eyeliner, hair styling etc., or they have band gimmick/stage persona. It all just smacks of insincerity.

I want to see the performers as a genuine person, not some character. It’s the one thing about Khruangbin that really turns me off…well, that and the cultural appropriation, but that’s a different conversation.

 

[MacGuffin]

I always check that I have pants on before I leave the house

Isn't having pants kind of a prerequisite of the usual check for keys, phone, and wallet? Do you have one of those fancy wristwatches that can make phone calls, lock your doors, start your car, and make electronic payments? Do I want to ask where you keep your phone, wallet, and keys?

 

[jnuts1]

Im almost exclusively wearing a suit now. just a jacket for smaller gigs and private parties.

 

[jnuts1]

Depends on the venue and temperature. We do try to have somewhat of a "look". We never have worn shorts even in 100 degree heat - it can get pretty ugly. I've played everything from Green Bay in January (inside) to outdoor festivals in July/August in Indiana and everyting in between. I refer to my stage outfit as my monkey suit.

you try to have a look? your singer has tattoos for hair!!!!

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I usually wear a nice dress shirt with a pair of black jeans and boots with a wide brim hat. Sometimes a suit jacket over a black t shirt. I wear a black suit for corporate or wedding gigs.

 

[GwenOnBass]

 

[MacGuffin]

Wear what you will. As an audience member, I find it super cringey when bands dress up like “rockstars”. All black, chains/spikes/studs, eyeliner, hair styling etc., or they have band gimmick/stage persona. It all just smacks of insincerity.

I want to see the performers as a genuine person, not some character. It’s the one thing about Khruangbin that really turns me off…well, that and the cultural appropriation, but that’s a different conversation.

I can halfway agree here. Like it or not someone on a stage is going to be playing a character of some kind, so there's an expectation from the audience that the people on stage look and act their parts. I remember a professional athlete wanting to claim he's there for the athletics of it, not to entertain the crowd. I'm sorry to tell you this, you are an entertainer, not an athlete. Maybe in high school and college you were an athlete but now that you get paid to play you are expected to put on a show for everyone that paid admission. You are expected to act and look the part. The part you play has some athletic aspects but in the end you are primarily there to entertain.

I can see how musicians can overdo the theatrics of their show. Some gaudy outfits and overacted antics can get the audience to roll their eyes, but for some bands the outfits and antics is why people pay to see them live. It's about meeting the audience expectations. That's in the clothes you wear, if or when you stop playing to make some commentary or jokes, the song list, style of play, lights and decor on the stage, and perhaps more I'm not thinking up right now. Set up some expectations, then meet them. That's what I want in a band performance.

 

[Gervais Cote]

When I play with friends :




And when I play with serious musicians :

 

[J Gold]

No matter what, always strive to be visually appealing. People are coming to see a show!!!

 

[Pocket Dave]

Basic black button-down shirt gets a lot of mileage for me. We do a lot of country, so blue jeans are kind of a thing. I've also got a couple pair of jeans that are solid black; I wore one for a NYE gig in a nice room and no one noticed, commented or complained, though they were jet black & non-faded.

A couple suggestions:

1. If your Old Navy black khakis are even slightly faded, you might break open a couple packs of RIT black dye in the wash with 'em. RIT black dye is a musician's best friend when it comes to extending garment life.
2. If you like wearing running shoes onstage for comfort and support, Dick's Sporting Goods usually carries black Brooks Glycerin 20 and Adrenalin GTS men's runners with solid black logos & soul sides. They've got a couple small side-emblems that are easy to hide with a thick black sharpie. I've been wearing these to all kinds of gigs lately and nobody's commented or noticed.

Recent bar gig with black shirt & jeans - Nobody notices the fretless either:

 

[MacGuffin]

When I play with friends :




And when I play with serious musicians :

And pants? You also wear pants, right?

 

[Pocket Dave]

And when I play with serious musicians :

You must know our drummer.

Children of the '80's.

 

[Gervais Cote]

And pants? You also wear pants, right?

LOL ! Usually wear my oldest pair of jeans unless something specific has been required.