Get Ready for Every Show with These Suggestions

At many gigs, there is a time after your set up and sound check, but before the show actually begins, where nothing needs to happen and you're kind of left in limbo. In the moments leading to when you step on stage, what do you do? Do you get a drink, talk to people in the crowd, or meditate? Let us walk you through a few ideas to get you ready for your next show.

• Get "Fuel" 
  Eat something to give you enough fuel to be energized throughout your show. Just don't eat too much because you don't want to have to "leave the stage" mid-show! (Yes, this has happened to me before)
• Study for the Test 
  Lyrics or music that you need to make sure you have right? The 30 minutes before a show is a great opportunity to focus on getting those things ready, essentially cramming for your test (the live show).
• Stage Kit 
  Get everything that you will need on stage ready and in one place so that you can grab it and go perform when it is time.
• Cat Nap 
  Get a little bit of rest before the show starts. Calm your mind and relax so that you are ready to give your full energy to the performance.
• Nature Calls 
  5 minutes before your show, check yourself out in a mirror and go to the restroom. You don't want to be on stage if nature starts calling!

• Vocal Warm-Up
  Spend a few minutes doing vocal warm-up exercises to ensure your voice is limber and ready for singing, preventing strain and enhancing vocal performance.

• Instrument Tune-Up
  Take a moment to tune your instrument, ensuring it's in perfect pitch for the performance, maintaining the integrity of the sound and overall musical quality.

• Breathing Exercises
  Engage in brief breathing exercises to center yourself and calm any pre-show nerves, promoting relaxation and focus before stepping on stage.

• Visualize Success
  Take a moment to visualize yourself delivering a successful performance, imagining the crowd's positive response and your own confidence on stage, boosting morale and mindset. 
  
  Another way to look at this is simply to get yourself pumped up and ready to have a great show.

• Connect with Bandmates
  Share a brief moment of camaraderie with your bandmates, offering words of encouragement and support, fostering a sense of unity and readiness as a team before you all hit the stage. Create a routine that you and your group do at every show. Prayers, hugs, shots? Any of those will work and they will make you closer as a group.

• Connect with the Audience
  Take the time before your show to say hello to some of your fans and maybe even some strangers who are seeing you for the first time. Interaction with your audience when you are not on stage can help you build a more loyal fan base. Your fans want to feel like they are close to you and to stop by and give them 2 minutes of your time will often make their day. 
  
  Last month, I sat down and talked with 3 fans at a show who have been coming to my shows for 20 years. A little conversation goes a long way. Go make some friends.

Final thoughts

The moments before the show are very useful to help you prepare, relax, and give you the best opportunity to have a great show. Get yourself fueled up, rested, and ready to engage your audience and then, have a great show!

Thanks again for reading and watching.

Danny