Tech: Eating before playing?

Subject: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Cappuccino
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 05:01 AM

I am playing a gig tonight with a blues band who have invited me to have a meal before the show. I've always had this idea that eating right before a performance is not a good idea; and in particular, I remember reading that milky drinks before singing are a very bad idea. Does anyone else have a preference on this?

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 05:35 AM

Food in your stomach limits your breathing, and peanut butter blown over a clarinet reed really doesn't help.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 09:23 AM

I have done a lot of public speaking, I'm thinking in particular of evening ranger programs (in National Parks) and learned over time to wait until after the program to eat. Digestion while you're thinking on your feet, speaking, answering questions - I found it to be an impediment to what I was trying to do. A number of professor friends who taught evening classes reached the same conclusion. The meal is better after the performance.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 12:19 PM

Since I became middle aged - 60 later this year
eating in the afternoon or evening just makes me too sleepy...

Last time we played the band thought I was a bit of a **** for not having an expensive restaurant meal with them before the gig...

But after 40 years they should know I'm not the most sociable bloke anyway...


I just sat out in a park with a light snack of bread and meat from Lidl...

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 12:50 PM

We usually offer food pre-gig to our main concert acts at our festival, but a lot of them say they prefer to wait until afterwards. So it's usually a light cold buffet, so rhey can eat as and when they want.
I have heard all sorts of stuff about not drinking milk ("it coats your throat"), fruit juice ("it's acid"), or a variety of other things before performing, but don't really understand the rationale or any scientific reason for this advice: unless you choose to inhale it rather than swallow! But most people now seem to go for water only. (Tho' we've probably all come across some people who get away with a bevvy or two, maybe several smokes too, before going out to perform!)

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jun 18 - 08:34 PM

Later is generally better. Unless your select audience enjoys listening to farts and burps.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: BobL
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 02:42 AM

Never eat on an empty stomach.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Cappuccino
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 04:42 AM

I settled for a small plate of garlic mushrooms. I still played a load of old rubbish!
- Cappuccino

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Bob TB
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 07:03 AM

After can be problematic - especially for stage crew who are last out. Nowhere open and the promoters keen to get away ratgher than provide food. Before is often the only opportunity.

I know one very famous singer whose rider asked for a bowl of fruit and two bottles of wine (one on stage).

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 08:23 AM

OK I'll say it. A tuning break is one thing but a mad dash to the loo mid-verse when nerves or hot stage lights or simeone's noxious scent causes the e

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 08:24 AM

... evacuation of said meal.... is quite another.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 09:51 AM

That actually wasn't what I was thinking of. It simply makes you sluggish for the couple of hours after the meal.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 10:00 AM

I wasn't commenting on your post, Acme. It came from 24 years of experience and hhubby's 39 years of experience in leading luturgies. Wedding stories, funeral stories... (his and colleagues'), plus my own IBS.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 10:34 AM

I always make sure I eat properly before a gig. The timetable often works like this:

6.30pm - set off for gig
7.00pm - get to gig, set up and sound check
8.00pm - start playing for dancing
9.20pm - break
9.40pm - resume playing for dancing
11.00pm - finish gig and clear up
11.30pm - set off for home
12.00am - get home

With the food on offer during a break varying from none to a buffet, I take no chances and make sure I have a meal before I set off. I also take a Mars bar or similar in case of low blood sugar. There's no way I'll eat at midnight.

Everyone's different.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: JHW
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 03:54 PM

Eat after if you can or long before and drink water with your set, not booze.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 04:27 PM

eating a salad should be ok, avoid cheese

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 04:28 PM

I learned the hard way about playing my harmonica after eating....

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Jun 18 - 06:23 PM

Possibly applies more to singing or playing wind instruments, but as someone mentioned above, it is nice to know in advance if you may get thrown the odd titbit to nibble if you play in ceilidh bands or similar.
We have had some major gastronomic disappointments at a couple of gigs: big expensive 21st party where we were offered nothing at all to eat or drink throughout a 3-and-a-half hour stint: hot dogs brought in for the merrymakers at 11pm, but not a sniff of any for us! And then that big ball where we played quietly while the diners munched through a 3-course meal: we were given a small tray of sandwiches between 8 of us, approx 2 x 1/4 round of bread each, and tea/coffee were "not provided for you". That was having arrived at 6pm and finishing at 1am!
So, apart from any digestive considerations, do as Will says and make sure you eat before you go!

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Jul 18 - 03:30 AM

When I finalise the booking details with the client a week or two before the gig, I cover things like setup, start & stop times. breaks(s), special starter dance, etc. Cash on the night, or a BACS payment 5 days in advance if preferred. And the food and drink situation.

I always say that we never assume food & drink is provided - and that we're happy to bring our own if needed. Most of our playing is for weddings and similar functions, so we often get there after a meal has been served and eaten. There's often mid-evening snacks - hot dogs or nibbles, for example - which I tend to give a miss, but at least we know it's there.

Be prepared!

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 01 Jul 18 - 06:55 AM

Well we do ask in advance, but as in the second case there, the promised "meal" for us was just that one small tray of sandwiches: we were way out in the country, so couldn't just pop down to the nearest chippie! The programme wa otherwise all meticulously laid out. As you say, never assume......!

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 18 - 02:19 PM

I was once at a gig where the organiser provided the performer a bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon when he got on stage. By the end of the night it was gone :-) No names but funnily enough I say them both on Friday.

Subject: RE: Tech: Eating before playing?
From: Marje
Date: 02 Jul 18 - 09:58 AM

I know someone in a string quartet who play for weddings. (The playing is often before, during and after the ceremony, perhaps also during part of the meal.)

When they arrange the booking and the fee, they stipulate that they would like to be fed. They often have to travel some distance, and spend several hours at the venue, even if not actually playing all the time. They don't expect a heavy meal or want alcohol, but their refreshments are simply part of the deal. If you don't ask, it can be very hit and miss.
Marje