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Hot hot hot!
- Thread starter jimc
- Start date
THIS^^^^
I recall a gig in really really hot weather once, glancing at our drummer mid set and seeing his entire face and head red as a beet. We announced a break right then and there. Rest of the day was short sets and lots of breaks.
No gig is worth heat stroke.
You need to put together a cool suit!
Small window A/C unit + 20' of dryer hose + Tyvek jumper.
110˚f outside the suit, 60˚f inside.
Cold air blows out the cuffs and neck. Keeps the neighbors away from you.
Rick
Small window A/C unit + 20' of dryer hose + Tyvek jumper.
110˚f outside the suit, 60˚f inside.
Cold air blows out the cuffs and neck. Keeps the neighbors away from you.
Rick
I don’t think I have any advice that hasn’t already been given, but just wanted to say good luck out there, and seriously try to stay hydrated! Check in with each other after each song (even a thumbs up/thumbs down if anyone needs a minute), and I know the audience will understand if you guys need a breather. I’m in my 30s and I’d be looking for any excuse to back out and avoid that heat.
Even at high humidity, misting/dousing plus a fan still helps. Cover from the sun is essential.
We played a 6:00-8:30 outdoor gig yesterday; 102 F during load-in, 100 at downbeat.
I arrived an hour before downbeat to the BL having a heated discussion with one of the event organizers. Stage rental crew, who apparently don't understand basic principals of earth-rotation-direction, setup the stage in the shade at 9:00 in the morning. At 5:00 in the evening, it was in the direct sunlight.
The essence of the conversation was that playing in the direct sunlight "ain't happenin'".
"But we paid $600 for the stage rental!"
"Maybe you should've paid a little more for someone to set it up in the shade."
I stood back in the shade and out of the conversation. At one point while the event organizers huddled, BL walked over to me and said "People nowadays don't have common sense."
"Yeah. Though I'm not sure it was ever all that common."
Long and short of it was the event people managed to get a canopy and helped position it while we gaff-taped two of its legs to a couple of our unused speaker stands, effectively blocking the sun from the west.
I arrived an hour before downbeat to the BL having a heated discussion with one of the event organizers. Stage rental crew, who apparently don't understand basic principals of earth-rotation-direction, setup the stage in the shade at 9:00 in the morning. At 5:00 in the evening, it was in the direct sunlight.
The essence of the conversation was that playing in the direct sunlight "ain't happenin'".
"But we paid $600 for the stage rental!"
"Maybe you should've paid a little more for someone to set it up in the shade."
I stood back in the shade and out of the conversation. At one point while the event organizers huddled, BL walked over to me and said "People nowadays don't have common sense."
"Yeah. Though I'm not sure it was ever all that common."
Long and short of it was the event people managed to get a canopy and helped position it while we gaff-taped two of its legs to a couple of our unused speaker stands, effectively blocking the sun from the west.
I have a portable evaporative cooler, and AC unit, also get these and wrap them around your necks.
The venue has to realize this is a risk to their patrons as well, has anyone asked how they plan on mitigating this?
Nobody is going to be out in the sun at 111 degrees. Band under cover is one thing but people will need cover too.
I have a gig tomorrow outside in 113 degree temps! Fans and evaporative cooler, neck towels and light clothing. In shade but still !
I’m 60 this year and drummer is 63.
F* the no shorts rule lol.
I’m 60 this year and drummer is 63.
F* the no shorts rule lol.
I honestly believe shorts wouldn't help, especially if you're going to be in any direct sunlight.
Several years ago, I did a double header on a really hot day. I made it through the early afternoon gig OK, but setting up for the late afternoon gig, I felt myself getting in a little trouble. I remembered what I learned in winter survival, that we lose 50% of our body heat through our head. I figured if that was true in winter, it was probably true in summer as well, so I wrapped a dry towel* around my head and poured some ice water on it. (Dry, because it's easier to configure around my head when it's dry.) It did the job. I actually played the gig like that, with the towel* around my head. I kept a pitcher of ice water by me, and just poured some on my head regularly -- not enough to soak everything or drip everywhere because I didn't want to get my bass or anything else wet, but enough to do the job.
*It might have been a T-shirt instead of a towel. I don't remember for sure. Either way, the principle is the same.
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I have passed on three outdoor gigs coming up because of the heat that is predicted ..........not dealing with it . 
Drink lots of water in the form of beer so you can benefit from the same trace minerals that marathon runners and Tour de France racers get. And remember it was hot before your drummer was born. Just don’t go too crazy.
We did a show a number of years ago - daytime, it was 99 (wicked hot in the NE), the venue was on white marble stairs in the direct sun.
Our percussionist dropped from heatstroke before we even started. The event organizers had no canopies - we made them go get some.
It was brutal, like playing in a frying pan. For every drop of water that went in me, an equivalent amount was poured over my head.
The crowd was over 200' away sitting in the shade. As the sun moved, so did the crowd.
Never again.
Our percussionist dropped from heatstroke before we even started. The event organizers had no canopies - we made them go get some.
It was brutal, like playing in a frying pan. For every drop of water that went in me, an equivalent amount was poured over my head.
The crowd was over 200' away sitting in the shade. As the sun moved, so did the crowd.
Never again.
Certainly not at 111 degrees, but we've played with heat indices around that amount. Hydration is key with non sugared sports drinks starting hours before the gig as well as during the gig. Eating citrus fruit during breaks is also good. Fans are imperative. Make sure you have a lot of ice in coolers with hand towels. Put the towels in the melted ice for quick rub downs, particularly around the neck ankles and forearms
As for the pop-ups, while they can provide shade, they can also trap a lot of heat. If you are using them, make sure the sides are as open as much as possible.
Loose fitting clothes, wide brimmed hat, baggy shorts, and no underwear. All of the other advice is good as well. Don’t be a hero - take as many breaks as you need.