Question for musos about gigging

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Just wondering - I have recently given up the grog (7mths) and am finding gigging really hard, not having ever done it without a couple at least under my belt. Just wondering if there's any advice on easing the nerves and stress for gigging without the grog?

Assuming you mean basically stagefright just before going on, or while performing?

Deep breathing, meditation, going off to a quiet corner for a while before going onstage. A bunch of my friends used to have a hearty meal before heading out, usually something like pasta, before playing. Seems like an odd thing to do, but carbs make you sleepy, and if you feel a little sleepy you usually can't feel edgy or nervous at the same time -- at least I think that was their reasoning.

I never drank before going onstage but I did try to get to a quiet place, stay calm and peaceful, not be around excitable people, I did some deep breathing, and found that sitting very still and detaching a little helped me feel much calmer about those first couple of numbers. After that I felt okay onstage.

Some people opine that feeling a little stress helps their performance; personally I only ever found that stress wrecked mine. You might be lucky enough to find that feeling nervous helps you put more into your performance.

But if not -- yeah, meditation, deep breathing, quiet time, pasta for dinner -- calming methods.

Thanks Bird In Flight, generally speaking I work myself up into a complete frenzy just before going on, (we do play rather fast loud short songs), then I rely on whatever occurs in my head to make the show, whether it's jumping around or hassling the guitar players while they solo. A complete state of manic. But without the grog I can't seem to get into the groove, the manic goes too far, the crowd are freaking me out. I'm in a state of unco.

I generally eat a few hours before cause I get scared I'll throw up on stage, which is never a good look.

But I will take your advice on board, quiet time prior and maybe less coffee.

I am of the, likely unpopular, opinion that beer is necessary to get in the right state of mind. I've been gigging regularly for about 20 years now and I can definitely state that my stone-sober gigs were my most boring gigs. My blackout drunk gigs, however, have been by far the worst musically but the most interesting to watch. I usually have about 2-3 beer before the show and bring two on stage with me to drink over a 40-minute set.

A bottle of beer is also a great stage prop if you are practiced at drinking while playing at the same time.

Maybe cool it on the drinks in general but keep it professional (as in a little tipsy) onstage.

it depends on whether you feel music emotionally or intellectually. if you feel it emotionally (i do not feel it emotionally), then i guess reduced inhibition may be advantageous.

if you feel it intellectually (with a body movement element (but not an emotional one)) as i do, then it is quite divorced from any audience participation. i go into an obsessive trance when i gain momentum on a keyboard, and i am oblivious to whoever may be in the vicinity. alcohol is a hindrance to the creation of truly elaborate and new ways of exploring and expressing music in an adventurous sense.

but i guess one has to be there...

Depends entirely on the type of music and the type of expected "performance," Cat Ghost. There are some people who would not benefit at all from being drunk or tipsy. Don't think that everyone who doesn't get themselves in such a state must be "boring." I was playing for at least twenty years myself; different experiences, different opinions. One of my friends' bands out on a great show, fun to watch, yet they all deliberately made it a policy to go on "clean." It can happen...

The OP is also consciously trying to drink less. He's looking for alternative ways to get ready...How helpful is it to post that you frankly think the only way to do a good show is to be drinking?

I said my opinion would be unpopular but I stand by it. You can use a bunch of stuff in place of a hammer but it's not quite the same as using a hammer. I come from rock and punk, but if you're playing chamber music or backing up a singer songwriter maybe sober and boring would be suitable.

Ymmv.

And, may I add, if you're looking to quit drinking you talk to an addictions councillor. If you want to hear what regular people have to say based on their personal experiences you ask on an online forum. Your condescending attitude is not appreciated or necessary.

Agreed. Back on topic!

Maybe chug a bunch of red bull before playing?

Thanks for your replies.

I think it is hard when you are playing the type of music that is supposed to entice beer swilling - the more beer that gets swilled the more gigs you get. And I was definitely one to agree with The Cat Ghost - that a couple before you go on were essential - but too much would be a disaster. For me at the moment that is just not an option.

Luckily at the moment I have hooked up with a couple of sober musos and are working on a new project (using 2 basses - quite the wall of noise - quite interesting) so I might be able to discuss some strategies for sober gigging.

Still any advice is good - it's mainly the nerves are out of control - to the point of when I come off I am literally shaking out of control.

Are there any physiological symptoms with this anxiety, such as a racing heart or tremors?