I agree with Diva - if you aren't a little bit nervous you may not be concentrating as much. You can bet your boots that the day you don't feel the nerves will be the day that you're not bothered how the performance is going to come out.

I'm pretty sure that alcohol is a mistake - it would be for me at any rate. Attention wandering, voice going off key big time and all the rest.

I do a lot of work with people who are worried about making presentations and some of the things that help them may be of value here:

Be at the venue early so you can get used to the feel, the sound and the general atmosphere of it.

Deep breathing for two or three minutes before you go out is really effective for calming the body and the mind.

Try and work out a ritual that you always follow as you prepare for your spot.

Remember that the audience generally wishes you well - they're not out to get you! And that usually, hesperis, its true - they can't see how nervous you are.

Put it in to perspective. It's fifteen minutes out of your life - if it goes wrong, well that's experience for next time isn't it.

When you have the 'bad vibes monkey' on your back - you know, the one who claws at your throat so that your vocal chords make a sound like you've just breathed helium, makes your arms five feet long, cements yout to one spot on the stage - throw him into the audience. Talk to them, get comfy.

Having said all this, I've got to say that the moment I face the audience is always pretty stressful, but the buzz at the end when I've got through it is well worth the pain.

If all else fails, wear brown trousers and bike clips!

Cheers