interesting thread...

in my experience, performing under the influence is very relative and idiosyncratic according to the individual's own tolerance, talent and ability to improvise...

as a singer, I find one beer or glass of wine before going on stage helps relax me enough that I do not get, say, nervous hiccups or brain jitters that make me scared I am gonna flub lyrics (which rarely if ever happens to me).

I also like having a beer on stage with me but only if it is my first one; otherwise, water...or hot herb tea if I am sick...

I perform at lots of pagan gatherings and there are often times when performing while stoned is not only acceptable but desirable; depends on the audience and the rest of the band etc...I did once take part in a midnight gig at Starwood and nearly all of the band took mushrooms beforehand; it was an incredibly magical performance and much of the audience was under the influence, too; but this is an exceptional choice under exceptinal circumstances and I do not generally recommend it.

I once had to get up and sing after having smoked a lot of pot; it happened because my band's concert was moved up to 5 pm, from the original scheduled time of 8 pm; again this was in a pagan gathering setting and so pretty low-key; but I found it difficult to sing as well as I might have if I had had three hours to come down a bit...the problems were not mental, merely vocal. I think the throat and lungs need some time after smoking weed to readjust...and too much of it is gonna have a negative effect on some individuals. For me, though, when I am on vacation at a gathering and smoking a fair amount throughout the day (two or three times, say), I notice a delightful side effect: the lower register of my range increases by several tones...so I can hit lower notes than usual; and with no damage to my upper range, usually...

as for creativity? well, yes, for the most part, pot enhances it for me in terms of writing songs or arrangements or finding new insights into a song's meaning. But just before performing, this is a case-by-case decision dependent upon the venue...

peg