You’ll be fine. There might be a grognard in attendance who grumbles about it, but the venue only really cares that their patrons like you and stick around and drink.
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Shorts at a gig - how screwed are we?
- Thread starter CloserTonyDanza
- Start date
Chili Peppers wore socks. Doesn't matter what you wear as long as you rock it. If you look or feel like an idiot, that's what the audience will see.
so, basically no shirt, no shoes, no problem as long as you're wearing pants?
i really don't get this dress code BS some have made up.
i mean, there's a time and a place right? you're not wearing shorts to a wedding gig or a "nice" place but c'mon. playing at a bar in the summer? does the bar have a dress code? i have no issues with shorts at all. be comfortable. there are professional, touring musicians that wear shorts on stage all of the time. as noted, some have even worn just a sock....
as a band member, i don't care what you show up in as long as nothing was stated previously. if we said that we're wearing pants or some other requirements, then so be it but otherwise, have at it. show up on time, with all of your equipment and know your parts. play the material with minimal fuss and let's have fun up there.
as an audience member, i can honestly say that i have no care whatsoever what the guys up on stage are wearing. i care that they sound good, they play the music well and are not a bag of poop up there.
kgb
i really don't get this dress code BS some have made up.
i mean, there's a time and a place right? you're not wearing shorts to a wedding gig or a "nice" place but c'mon. playing at a bar in the summer? does the bar have a dress code? i have no issues with shorts at all. be comfortable. there are professional, touring musicians that wear shorts on stage all of the time. as noted, some have even worn just a sock....
as a band member, i don't care what you show up in as long as nothing was stated previously. if we said that we're wearing pants or some other requirements, then so be it but otherwise, have at it. show up on time, with all of your equipment and know your parts. play the material with minimal fuss and let's have fun up there.
as an audience member, i can honestly say that i have no care whatsoever what the guys up on stage are wearing. i care that they sound good, they play the music well and are not a bag of poop up there.
kgb
It’s lame to wear shorts on stage but if you don’t care your audience won’t care either (about you). But I say go for it. Who cares what stupid paying audiences think anyway? Just because something is objectively bad form doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it.
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
- May 13, 2003
- 3,342
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- Endorsing Artist: DR Strings, SMS
As long as you don't play with a pick, you're fine.
We are entertainers.
I'm an ******* about that in bands. Shorts? No, except for the drummer. No to baseball caps, sports team shirts and such.
I'm not talking about costumes, makeup etc. But stage attire that shows some professionalism. To just slouch up on stage dressed like you just pulled whatever smelled the least out of your dirty laundry pile is insulting to the audience. And marks you as wanna-be amateurs.
Unless you are in bands that want to project that f-you attitude.
Most of us, sadly, are entertainers, not artistes.
Remember what Joe Jackson said: You gotta look sharp! Or what ZZ Top said about a sharp-dressed man.
I'm an ******* about that in bands. Shorts? No, except for the drummer. No to baseball caps, sports team shirts and such.
I'm not talking about costumes, makeup etc. But stage attire that shows some professionalism. To just slouch up on stage dressed like you just pulled whatever smelled the least out of your dirty laundry pile is insulting to the audience. And marks you as wanna-be amateurs.
Unless you are in bands that want to project that f-you attitude.
Most of us, sadly, are entertainers, not artistes.
Remember what Joe Jackson said: You gotta look sharp! Or what ZZ Top said about a sharp-dressed man.
I just hope for all of our sakes that someone doesn't post the standard pix of Bob Weir cavorting in his short shorts from back in the day.
Well there are shorts, and there are shorts. I see no problem as long as they are clean and fashionable suitable for the venue. Like something a good well dressed customer that frequents said establishment might wear under similar conditions. A call to the manager for approval would be a good idea.
BTW, It is possible to play rock with a JB pickup in the bridge using a different EQ. If you are playing with FOH support, it may be advantageous.
I had a sax gig today and I was under dressed. My bandmate gave me his son's white buttoned shirt and I was th eonly one in jeans. It was a private party - jazz standards. I ohad to wear my leather hiking boots instead of my Altr's. It was Bougie . Luckily I shaved this AM.
But it went well. I thought this was one of those artsy gallery crowd but more like lawyers and corporate types and I was told some trust fund as well. Some young woman sang standards and ballads and I was glad as all attention was on her. We got tips on top of a very good pay with excellent food and drink even though we ate out in the back where the caterers were setting up.
But it went well. I thought this was one of those artsy gallery crowd but more like lawyers and corporate types and I was told some trust fund as well. Some young woman sang standards and ballads and I was glad as all attention was on her. We got tips on top of a very good pay with excellent food and drink even though we ate out in the back where the caterers were setting up.
Modern rock, I'm pretty sure nobody gives a damn what you're wearing. Insert old picture of BB King shorts here
Heck, he may have very well trademarked that look along with his leads and antics on stage!
You must be an Ozzie! I'd never heard that "Budgie Smuggler" term until I visited our son in Australia for Christmas 2017. Was weird having 42° Celsius temps in December there in NSW (Sidney hit 47°). Was even weirder seeing all these old fat guys walking around in their "budgie smugglers". I'm old and fat but wouldn't be caught dead walking around in public in those!
