Pre-Gig rituals?

[dklsplace]

The index finger thread got me thinking. My typical pre-gig routine regularly involves Motrin & a fair bit of tendon stretching. Can't say I have any regular rituals or superstitions regarding a performance or service.

How 'bout you? Anyone have that lucky shirt/boots/underwear etc that you just can't do a show without, or any other rituals that you stick to for every show? How did you get started with it, & have you really bombed when skipping it?

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I make sure to eat chicken for dinner before every gig. I forget how it got started, but I've stuck with it!

 

[Brad Little]

I make sure to eat chicken for dinner before every gig. I forget how it got started, but I've stuck with it!

Worked for Wade Boggs.
Brad

 

[krysh]

don't have any rituals, but I noticed that when I can concentrate long enough before the gig (around an hour - and do so) to be prepared well mentally, I am highest capable in touching other peoples hearts.
:anonymous:

 

[Christopher Cozad]

For local gigs:

Loading a lot of equipment into a vehicle, more than comfortably fits, convinced I could make do with less, driving to a destination that is farther away than I allowed sufficient time to get to, unloading more equipment than I remember loading...

...Yep, pretty consistent behavior over the years, stick to it most every show.

Gotta try the chicken, someday.

;~}

 

[bluesypicky]

My favorite ritual has always been sacrificing a lamb on the stage. It can get messy but it used to intimidate the audience, which would deter them from messing with me if the show sucked, and provide plenty of meat for my post show couscous.... a win win! :tongue-new:

 

[dapmdave]

My favorite ritual has always been sacrificing a lamb on the stage. It can get messy but it used to intimidate the audience, which would deter them from messing with me if the show sucked, and provide plenty of meat for my post show coucous.... a win win! :tongue-new:

I think you're serious.

 

[bluesypicky]

I think you're serious.

So you noticed the blood on the floor in my man cave didn't you?..... I saw you staring.

 

[krysh]

My favorite ritual has always been sacrificing a lamb on the stage. It can get messy but it used to intimidate the audience, which would deter them from messing with me if the show sucked, and provide plenty of meat for my post show couscous.... a win win! :tongue-new:

didn't you french people used to do this with frogs instead? :anonymous:

 

[dapmdave]

So you noticed the blood on the floor in my man cave didn't you?..... I saw you staring.

What really gave it away was the "Lambs-R-Us" truck parked behind your house.

 

[gilded]

For local gigs:

Loading a lot of equipment into a vehicle, more than comfortably fits, convinced I could make do with less, driving to a destination that is farther away than I allowed sufficient time to get to, unloading more equipment than I remember loading...

...Yep, pretty consistent behavior over the years, stick to it most every show.

Gotta try the chicken, someday.

;~}

If you add cursing, you and I pretty much do it the same way!

 

[twocorgis]

If you add cursing, you and I pretty much do it the same way!

Sounds like me too! Hey Harry, great minds and all...

 

[bluesypicky]

didn't you french people used to do this with frogs instead? :anonymous:

Yes. We eat anything with a pulse. "A little bit of everything" is the secret of the French diet.
With that said, frog sacrifices aren't as spectacular on stage, plus, I couldn't really use them in the post show couscous.

What really gave it away was the "Lambs-R-Us" truck parked behind your house.

:highly_amused:

 

[Guild Dawg]

I'm usually singing lead or backup when I play gigs, so I have to make sure my voice is not gunked up before I play. I usually don't eat anything in the two hours prior to performing and I only drink water until the gig is over. Luckily, my body has plenty of fat reserves to call on should they be required. If I feel a little congested, I might take a decongestant tablet and maybe some sugar free peppermint gum to help clear the sinuses.

 

[crank]

First I like to have a cup of coffee. Helps my synapses make those connections. Then I like to have a beer to help counteract the coffee.

 

[griehund]

Since my gigs are at nursing homes, it doesn't matter how well I play. But I do like to sound half way decent. We usually do 6 songs so I like to run through them a couple times before I go to pick up the rest of the crew. My fingers don't always go where I intend and my joints don't always bend when I want them to. My voice sucks like a Hoover but it doesn't seem to be important to the audience. I guess my ritual is showing up. :biggrin-new:

 

[idealassets]

I just got back from a great show watching Leo Kottke in Traverse City, MI from a very close seat. Leo Claims that he plays a lot with his eyes closed because he's "in the moment" of the song. I hope its not my imagination but I think that Leo does this because he prefers to avoid direct eye contact with folks that are so close to him.

I really didn't mind this, since I didn't want to get caught red handed by Leo in my attempts to detect his signature licks and techniques.

Craig

 

[idealassets]

In watching The Dirt Band not too long ago I noticed John McQuen enjoys looking directly into the crowd, its all a matter of personal preference I suppose.

As for me, I get caught far too often gawking at the fret board so that I don't miss by about 1/2" inch, or so, on a note. Does your aim improve with time? Please tell me yes....

Craig

 

[bluesypicky]

My voice sucks like a Hoover

I would hold the vacuum cleaner to get near that stage!

I see a trend here (from a Hoover to another)

:single_eye:

 

[dklsplace]

Does your aim improve with time? Please tell me yes....

Yes! As long as that "time" involves practice. :cool-new: