There’s a lot to love about summertime shows and concerts. From a performer’s perspective, concert venues in the summer are usually outside which not only allow for more people in the audience but offer a more fun, festival-like performing atmosphere. Paired with the nice warm weather, summer shows prove time and time again to be a hit with performers and audience members alike.
But as a performer, you know that you must be prepared for anything to happen to ensure the most successful show possible. Take a look at our 6 considerations to make sure that you’re adequately prepared for your next outdoor summer show!
1. Remain Mindful Of the Heat
While warm weather will help to attract a big crowd to your show, it’s important to remember that exposure to heat over long periods, particularly while doing strenuous activities such as performing, can have dangerous side effects.
When the body is unable to cool itself down, your temperature will rise quickly and you can become ill. As context for just how serious this can be, excessive natural heat is responsible for 31% of heat-related deaths.
To prevent heat-related illnesses ranging from less serious ailments such as heat rash and heat cramps, to potentially deadly conditions like heat stroke, be sure to drink plenty of water before and during your show. Additionally, be sure to find ample time in the shade to allow your body to cool its internal temperature.
2. Wear Sunscreen
Just like with heat, the summer sun can have its disadvantages. Sunburn can occur when your skin becomes burned by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, causing irritated skin, redness and even headaches, nausea and fever.
To avoid sunburn, make sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours. For musicians on stage, apply sunscreen before your show if you know that you’ll be in the sun and wear clothing and a hat that provides UPF protection.
3. Prepare for Rain
A sudden thunderstorm isn’t uncommon in the hot months of summer. And while a mid-day rain shower can provide some much-needed relief from the heat, it can also pose potential issues.
In the days before your summer show, check the weather forecast. If the radar shows any hint of rain or passing thunderstorms, ensure that you bring rain-friendly clothing. Accessories such as ponchos, umbrellas, and hats may be helpful if your show would continue through the rain.
Additionally, you’ll want to protect your equipment from the elements. Many instruments and electronic equipment are not waterproof, so ensuring that you have gear to protect these items is crucial. Consider bringing waterproof tarps, bags, and plastic coverings to protect your expensive concert materials from moisture.
4. Come up With a Plan
Nothing is worse than feeling unprepared on the day of your show. Knowing what you need, where to be and when to show up are all important factors for ensuring the success of your summertime show.
Plan the day of your show out weeks in advance down to the tiniest details. You’ll want to properly label all of your equipment, know where to stand on the stage, ensure that you’ve brought along all of the equipment needed and know the times of when to set up and when you’ll be performing.
For larger items such as microphones, instruments and speakers, planning well in advance is the best way to prevent miscommunication and error. Factor in the time that it will take to transport items from point A to point B and whether or not you’ll need help moving things from stagehands.
The more of a detailed plan that you can create, the better chances that everything will go right on performance day!
5. Don’t Skip Rehearsal
Just like planning, rehearsing your show is crucial to the success of your onstage final product. Make sure that everybody who will be performing knows their expectation ahead of rehearsal time so that they can be prepared for final run-throughs.
If you can, try to rehearse in the same location that you’ll be performing your show to get an ear for the acoustics, lighting, and layout of the stage. The more time you spend rehearsing, the more comfortable you’ll feel during your show.
Additionally, if you’re playing an outside show, strive to rehearse around the same time that you’ll be playing. For example, if your showtime is at noon, practice at noon to get accustomed to the heat and weather at that time of day.
Have Fun!
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! From the audience’s perspective, nothing is worse than having to watch a performer who has no expression or enthusiasm on the stage. Remember that no matter what happens on the stage, the audience is there to see you! You’ve prepared for this moment, now it’s time to enjoy it!
With these 6 considerations in mind, prepare for your next summer show with confidence. Preparation for your show can make all the difference and by remaining mindful of the heat, wearing sunscreen, preparing for inclement weather, rehearsing beforehand and coming up with a plan, you’ll have all of the tools you need to have the best summertime show possible!