How to Keep Your Cool in Hot Performances

Date:2020/2/10 21:09:55 Hits:

Outdoor performances are as much a part of summer as swimming pools and ice cream trucks. Unfortunately, so are heat, humidity, and sunlight. If you’re not careful, performing outdoors can be a threat to your gear — and your health. But don’t sweat it. We’ve put together this short Summer Survival Guide to help you and your gear survive from the first song to the final encore.

1. Scout your location.
That stage was in the shade when you booked it. But that was a month ago, in the morning. On the day you take the stage for your afternoon gig, the stage will be roasting in direct sunlight. It’s important to visit the venue at the time of day you are going to play, as close to your show date as possible. Knowing the exact situation will enable you to discuss setup with the venue. Is there a shadier place to play? Can the stage be arranged differently? A few simple adjustments can make a big difference.

2. Use LED lighting.
Here’s a fun fact: the average incandescent stage bulb produces almost four times more heat than a comparable LED bulb. That little change can make a big difference in the amount of heat you’re throwing at the stage. In situations where you can use your own lighting, a good LED lighting rig will help to keep you cool(er) and (more) comfortable during your performance.

3. Hydrate.
Yup, we know — this is in every summer safety article ever written. But hydration is more than just chugging water. There’s actually a right way to do it. Hydration should start the day before your performance. Your body needs time to store up the extra liquid it will need the next day. And believe it or not, water isn’t your only choice. You can get your hydration from almost anything liquid, including diluted juices (50/50 juice/water), milk – even soup! Just remember, 24 hours prior to your performance, alcohol and caffeine are off the menu.

4. Dress for duress.
This one is pretty simple. Leave the spandex and leather at home. You’re going to want light, loose-fitting clothes. Try to wear shorts or skirts (or how about a kilt?) when possible. Any air reaching your skin is cooling air, so it’s vital that you wear fabrics that “breathe.” That means more natural cottons and silks and fewer synthetics. On that note, avoid layering. Every layer you add reduces your body’s ability to cool down.

5. Make a strong case.
Sure, that beat-up guitar case looks great, but it’s time to upgrade. New cases are well insulated, creating a virtually climate-controlled atmosphere for your instrument. Temperatures inside the case will heat up more gradually and evenly, giving your instrument time to adjust to temperatures more slowly. They also protect against dangerous humidity and UV rays. Get to the venue early, and keep your instrument inside the bag or case to give it time to adjust to the new climate.

6. Bulletproof weatherproofing.
You invested a lot in your instrument. Investing a little time in weatherproofing is just plain smart.

For you guitar players, it’s all about consistency. This little regimen should be followed every time you change your strings, and string changes should happen a minimum of every 6 months. While you have the strings off, start by polishing the dirt, sweat, and grime off your frets. Not only will they look cooler, but regular fret polishing helps protect against deadly humidity damage. Move on to conditioning your fretboard. Again, the goal is to remove months of dirt and moisturize the wood evenly. Regulating the moisture helps your fretboard resist additional moisture and humidity while you’re performing.

Drummers, it’s the same for you — cleaning goes a long way to keeping your kit safe in higher temperatures. Before you hit the road, give your drums a good wipe down with a quality drum cleaner. Not only does it remove excess dirt, but it will also protect against harmful UV rays and humidity. Don’t forget to give your cymbals a good once-over too. A good cleaner/sealer will protect your cymbals from corrosion caused by humid conditions. During down times, a drum cover will help keep your drums cooler and out of direct sunlight.

7. Pro“tech”tion is vital.
Mics, speakers, mixers, amps, keyboards, laptops — no matter how much of a minimalist you are, you’re still going to have electronic gear onstage with you. To keep your valuable tech gear safe, cooling is the name of the game. Rule one: keep everything out of direct sunlight. Nothing will harm your gear faster than intense heat and UV rays. It’s a great idea to keep as much of the gear covered for as long as possible. Also, a couple of extra cooling fans can give your gear’s built-in fans the help they need to keep temperatures down.

As hundreds, if not thousands, of musicians have sung over the years, “Summer’s here and the time is right!” It’s time to get out there and share your music and the weather with your adoring public. We hope you have a great summer, full of fantastic performances where the only thing scorching onstage is your solo. Until next time, stay cool.

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