which is typically louder: FOH or stage monitors?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I ask because at typical gig, I watch the other bands with earplugs in and remove my earplugs when I play. I was wondering if the wiser thing would be to do the opposite -but it doesn't sound like it. I guess I just assume that FOH is louder but wasn't quite sure.

In that case, the monitors can easily be equally loud or louder than FOH, it all depends. On a rock gig, the SPL next to a wedge can easily be equal to the SPL at/by the booth, and most probably greater than on the front row.

You're risking your hearing by doing that BTW, the ear adjusts for what ever the ambient SPL, and the drastic change caughts it "off guard" so to speak.

I personally hate earplugs while playing and especially when singing, and I generally don't use 'em.

"If You won't be able to play without earplugs, You're too loud" is my motto. I just quit a decent band I recently got into mainly because the drummer used earplugs and pounded the cans and cymbals accordingly.

For me, a decent stage sound level is an indication of professionalism. And too loud a stage sound level, well... .

Regards
Sam