Me and my brother have been asked to play at a small music festival in a few weeks time....what do you think is a good look on stage ? My brother plays guitar, me on harp and most of the vocals. We mostly only play at open mic nights,where I usually wear jeans and a T shirt,but I would like to stand out more for this upcoming event. Suggestions please......serious or funny !!
I echo Iceman's comments and then some. Whatever you do, do NOT look like a slob that just kicked out bed on the bandstand. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Depends on the venue/slot/occasion but as the post above says always look sharper/cooler than the audience as a rule of thumb but I guess everyone's different!
I believe that if it's a show, the performers should dress like they take it seriously. It's a show. The folks want to believe you're special. Dress the part. ---------- www.thebluesprofessors.com
Stage wear to me is like a uniform. When you put it on, you are mentally prepared to perform (just like when you put on a sports jersey for example before playing a game). The people who see you expect something special, and helps build your "brand image" for lack of a better word ("band image")? It shows you have made an effort.
I believe the visual aspect is an important part of performing. You may get recognized after the gig if you wear something a little out of the ordinary, maybe get a free drink or meet someone new...
The Investment Buskers wear suits because it is part of our story (ex corporate types) and our shtick, for example.
When I am playing with other bands, I wear jeans and a loud button up long sleeved shirt (paisley or psychedelic patterns).
Whatever you decide do NOT wear cargo shorts, sandals, and either a T-shirt or Hawaiian shirt. I really hate it when I see that and I don't care if it's outside in August and 110.
Good rule of thumb, wear anything, with the exception above, as long as it's black. ---------- LSC
here in Florida we can deal with Hawaiian shirts but NO NO NO shorts and sandals unless you are under 12 years of age or a woman. Unless you show up on a horse no big belt buckles or cowboy boots either
I think that the key here is"small music festival"..i mean you are not going to fit the vibe if you are up on stage wearing something completely different from the majority of the punters. If they're all wandering around in bikinis and cargo shorts and you are looking smart in some version of a suit ,to me you run the risk of looking like you could be trying to be a parody of the blues brothers. A band i was in had a bass player who would turn up to every gig in Levis and a holely T shirt..not a good look at some gigs but very appropriate at others. Ha! The next Bassman wore a white shirt and a tie with his Levis to every gig. Peronally I think the Iceman has it about right.
Dress for success. Don't follow in the footsteps of the rock performers who think anything goes...shirtless, tattered jeans or just wearing a sock! Back in fifties and into the sixties, performers would dress in matched, clean, pressed and neat styles. They looked professional and gained our respect. When I see musicians of any genre looking like a bunch of slobs, regardless of their abilities as musicians, I fail to see them as professional. I don't think I'm alone. And don't be a copy-cat. You don't have to wear a fedora and dark glasses to play blues.
Listen to what Junior (the worlds greatest living blues guitarist IMHO) says about joining Rod Piazza's Band at 00.47 .
Also, if your into Junior and all those cats and the originals this three part master class is great with Junior telling some great stories and anecdotes!
to be honest,if a "blues" act wears sunglasses and a fedora,my ears turn off.unless of course they are actually outside in the sun. likewise with shorts,sandals,sneakers,thrift store suits,ripped jeans,logo shirts,etc.
there is a famous harmonica player,who is still mad at me because he thinks i insulted his suit(i was insulting another famous harmonica player's suit)
i think a good look can be dress pants,dress shirt and nice shoes.don't try to pass off work shoes as dress shoes.don't try to pass off black jeans as dress pants.
what i'm saying is,dress nicely,without using blues cliches. dress nicely,without looking too costumey .
but have fun!!!and be yourself.
for example,mark wenner could pull off a biker costume,with jeans and boots and lots of ink,but ,say rod piazza would look silly like that.
however,the opposite is true too.mark wenner would seem silly in a sharkskin suit to me :)
so,in my humble opinion, something that you would wear to church,a wedding,or court,would work.
something you would wear to a halloween party or to fix your car ,wouldn't
if you are under 25,and are tall and handsome,this all goes out the window.wear something you would on a date,and don't worry about it :) ---------- www.shakeylee.com
Last Edited by shakeylee on May 01, 2015 7:01 AM
I beg to differ on the cowboy boot thing. As long as they have a good shine and aren't covered in goo, nothing wrong with them. They're just like a good pair of dress shoes.
I do agree with the dress a little better than the audience view point. You should look like you belong on the stage. I've been trying to get a couple of the other guys to buy into it. Our bass player is pretty consistant in showing up in decent attire. ----------
Thanks everyone for all the input and suggestions. At the moment the Hugh Hefner look is the front runner!!..Seriously though,i,m now thinking more along the lines of a paisley shirt with smart jeans and shoes, rather than my usual t shirt and trainers. Keep em coming !
. . . every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. . .
If I am going out to a jam session I wear a colored t shirt with like new jeans and a sport coat. I take off the coat if the room allows it. I had a show the other night and wore the same, all good.
Be a better version of the crowd. That means if you are playing a rock show you need a t-shirt from a cooler band than the ones the crowd is wearing. If you are playing in a church you need better clothes than the crowds Sunday suit. You want to look like you belong, but aren't phoning it in. I think there is a danger, if you dress up too much, of creating a gap, but you've got to look like you are trying without looking like you are trying.
You can go for schtick, or you can play it straight, but commit to whichever one and make sure you know which one you are doing. :)
A440- In the interest of accuracy, Pete Townshend did not always wear a boiler suit with Doc Martins. That was his look for like one or perhaps two tours and it has been several decades since he last went that route. Remember the Who started as a mod band and were into frilly shirts, paisley jackets, skinny trousers and pointy shoes. There audience was heavy into fashion and they tried to stay ahead of the game. I've seen the Who eight times in 3 different countries and Pete's look was different each time. Daltry is probably most identified with his late 60s early 70s look of tight jeans, no shirt, and a fabulous fringed leather vest. He was buff as all get out and could pull it off. ---------- LSC
Last Edited by