Performing in a sport coat

[gfury]

We had a new year's eve gig and at the last minute it was decided that we should "dress up".

I've never performed wearing a sport coat, and we didn't have an opportunity to practice in our dress-up attire.

I was concerned that it would be a struggle, but it turned out to be a non-issue. I would definitely do it again.

[MikeEdgerton]

I've done it for years. It adds a little to the visual portion of the performance. I wouldn't wear one out in the sun on a hot day.

[Dean Gray]

Dressing up a bit for the gig is great. Though suit jackets do sometimes get hot. I have heard of people tearing the liner out to minimise the sweat factor.

[journeybear]

I've worn a variety of "stage costumes" over the years. Indeed, my first real band, which played a lot of swing at first and then began to include Western swing, styled its costumery at first in homage of one of our main influences, R. Crumb and the Cheap Suit Serenaders. We literally went to the Salvation Army and Goodwill in search of cheap suits, quite successfully. (This was in New England, so the climate permitted this.) Later, when we got into Western swing in the aftermath of "Urban Cowboy," we searched for those snazzy shirts with the piping, and snaps instead of buttons. I learned after a while those snaps were just tearing up the back of my mandolin, burrowing shallow but noticeable grooves into the wood. So just be careful. And avoid blazers with brass buttons!

[j. condino]

Nobody wants to look up at the stage and see some sweaty old dude in a dirty t-shirt, worn out '90s era cargo shorts, & flip flops.....nobody!

I always start the gig with a nice jacket & looking good.

By the second set it usually gets dropped.

In the hot summer weather for outside gigs, sometimes I bring three changes.

I'm always amazed that some people don't understand that you can charge much more $$$ as a band & upgrade your professional persona just by improving your visual attire and looking good. I live in a town where everyone is a fantastic musician, so you have to pay attention to the details if you want the good gigs.

[journeybear]

There is some evidence to support this hypothesis.

[Simon DS]

I saw a street performance one time where this guy was singing Christmas carols and telling really funny jokes, on a hot summer’s day.
He was wearing a huge ski jacket with a set of skis, the lot.
I thought he’d be a little bit warm but he’d sliced the jacket and ski trousers vertically and had string vest material sewn into the back. Yep, almost naked.
San Francisco 1980’s.

[Ray(T)]

I’ve always worked on the principle that, if I can’t wear what I want, I don’t need to be there.

There are still, however, places in the UK that have strict dress codes. Some friends were once playing a private function at such a place - a golf club - on a hot July evening. At around 21.30, the chairman announced that gentlemen were now permitted to remove their jackets. Whether my friends were able to keep straight faces was never disclosed!

[Michael H Geimer]

Dressing for gigs is part of the event. Venue could have chosen a Spotify stream but they booked a live band. So, I'll show up looking like someone in the band. The orange sport coat does not see much time out when I'm not playing. Folks have even said they'll wonder about my wardrobe choices beforehand. Showbiz

[gfury]

It definitely made me feel more professional, and I think the audience appreciated it.

Our fiddle player (a girl) always wears a dress and looks nice.

The guitar player removed his jacket for the second set.

[gspiess]

I've been getting hired by a popular singer/guitarist in our region for several gigs, and before every job he emails me dress code instructions. We played one VFW where only the musicians were permitted to wear hats, and only when on stage.

[maxr]

I used to play in tartan jacket and bow tie Scottish dance bands, but in the 70s I played in a longhair flares and cosmic T shirt good time bar band and both worked. I'd go for whatever feels right for the gig. Back when I was a live music agent, I did have one Irish band 'pull a stroke' (London phrase) by sending another band along for their gig under their name but paying them less and keeping the difference. Unfortunately they didn't pass on the info that it was a formal gig, so it got rumbled when the band they gathered it out to turned up in well worn pullovers - red faces all round, including mine. End of agency relationship - shame, both bands were good musicians, they could even do gigs outside the M25 London orbital road without getting lost.

[Bob Buckingham]

I started using a tone-gard not for the sound but to keep the back of my mandolin from getting torn up. I the early part of this century we wore bib overalls and sports jackets procured from a Goodwill type place. I still have a very nice black jacket that I got for $7.00 back then.

[Mitch Stein]

My regular gigging band is an Outlaw Country bit. We do all the embroidered shirts and jackets. Pearl snaps on most shirts, belt buckles, western boots. I must naturally hold my mando off to the side, because I've never done damage with any of the snaps or buttons.

Dress professionally and put on a performance! Don't just stand there.

[Don Grieser]

I believe the late Charles Sawtelle said something like, "If you look sharp, you are sharp."

[Eric Platt]

Our Finnish folk band will put on "traditional" outfits if the show calls for it. Although mine is pure fakelore clothing. Otherwise we usually coordinate with either blue, black or red in the outfits. Sometimes Nordic sweaters will be substituted in winter.

[Pappyrich]

Here is a shot of the Bluegrass band i manage. They don't wear jackets, but always wear a white shirt and old fashioned tie. We play old time traditional Bluegrass. Our band leader, Bill Jenkins, is a member of the Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

[Dan in NH]

Back in the day, guys like Bill Monroe always played in a jacket, tie, and hat. That’s half the reason why he only put his mandolin strap over one shoulder. So he could pick up & put down his mandolin without taking off his hat.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Coats and ties are fine. Also western wear, Hawaiian shirts, vests, button-down shirts, and hats. What I won't go on stage in:

- baseball hats (to be fair, I wouldn't be seen off stage in one, either)
- sneakers
- clothes with holes
- tees (except as undershirts — see to be fair))
- warm-up clothes, sweatshirts, sweatpants (see to be fair)
- sports team logos
- clothing company logos
- plaid
- shorts (unless the heat is brutal)
- sandals (see brutal)

Dressing down insults the audience. Dressing up flatters.

[JeffD]

I got so used to playing with folks at jams at festivals that it was a kick to perform a show after taking a good hot shower.

[gspiess]

With some folk and old timey venues I will intentionally dress to achieve a "blue collar-1930's" look: brown fedora with the brim front tilted up, dark collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up, baggy blue jeans or Dickies, dark leather work boots.

[musicofanatic]

Coats and ties are fine. Also western wear, Hawaiian shirts, vests, button-down shirts, and hats. What I won't go on stage in:

- baseball hats (to be fair, I wouldn't be seen off stage in one, either)
- sneakers
- clothes with holes
- tees (except as undershirts — see to be fair))
- warm-up clothes, sweatshirts, sweatpants (see to be fair)
- sports team logos
- clothing company logos
- plaid
- shorts (unless the heat is brutal)
- sandals (see brutal)

Dressing down insults the audience. Dressing up flatters.

Thank you! My M.O: Always outdress your audience. LOOK like a professional performer

[journeybear]

Back in the day, guys like Bill Monroe always played in a jacket, tie, and hat.

As far as I know, traditionally-minded bands may still do this. I haven't gone to a bluegrass festival in 25 years or more, but when I was going often during the 80s I noticed how often bands did this, some with matching suits and all. I remember one time I saw Tony Rice smack dab in the middle of the afternoon on a hot day in July, and though he was sweating buckets, he never so much as undid one button. Dedication.

[pops1]

When we played civil war events we wore period clothing. Hoop dresses for the ladies. For most other gigs it's a Hawaiian shirt. Back in the blues band time frame it was a t-shirt. Playing harp it was too hot for anything else, even in the winter. We played mostly bars and all the bands dressed similar so no big deal.

[CarlM]

I watched Sam Bush one time doing sound check a couple of hours before the show. He was wearing khaki shorts and a polo shirt. I had to look twice to see it was Sam. When he came on stage he had his blue jeans and tie dyed tee shirt.