Two things every set needs and nobody rehearses: how we talk to each other when it's too loud to talk, and what we show up in. Pull this up before doors.
When in doubt — watch the drummer 🥁
01
Stage Signals
Hand cues to run the song mid-song — no talking required.
Structure — where the song goes next
🔁
Around Again
DOIndex finger circling in the air.
MEANSRepeat this part — one more time.
⏭️
Next
DOJab a finger forward, toward the crowd.
MEANSMove on — into the next section.
🔝
From the Top
DOTap the top of your head.
MEANSBack to the top of the song.
✊
Big Ending
DORaise a fist, then punch it down on the hit.
MEANSLast one — stop together on the stab.
Dynamics — how big it gets
🤫
Bring It Down
DOFlat palm, press it down slowly.
MEANSPull back — quieter, tighter.
📢
Lift It
DOPalm up, raise it toward the ceiling.
MEANSBuild — louder, bigger, open up.
Tempo — how fast it moves
⏩
Push It
DORoll both hands forward over each other, faster.
MEANSGo faster — pick the tempo up.
⏪
Lay It Back
DOPalms down, pat the air slowly on the beat.
MEANSGo slower — ease the tempo back.
Cues — heads up
👀
Watch Me
DOTwo fingers to your eyes, then point at them.
MEANSEyes up — a cue is coming.
🤘
You're Up
DOPoint straight at the player.
MEANSYour solo — take it.
🥁
Count It In
DOFour stick clicks, or count on fingers.
MEANSI'll bring us in — come in together.
Stop — the only one that overrides everything
✂️
Cut
DOSlice a flat hand across your throat.
MEANSDead stop — end it now, no tail.
02
Dress Code
We're one band on stage — look like it.
Always
non-negotiable
✓Head-to-toe black (or close). Hides sweat, beer, and mistakes.
✓Closed shoes you can stomp in — boots or beat-up sneakers.
✓Something you can thrash in. Nothing that rides up or tears.
✓Earplugs. They count as gear.
Show Night
nice touches
✓One band tee — someone else's band, never our own.
✓A layer you don't mind losing to the pit or the stage lights.
✓IEMs / batteries charged, sticks and spares in the bag.
✓A little stage presence — this is a show, not a rehearsal.
Never
leave it home
✕Flip-flops, sandals, anything open-toed near a cymbal stand.
✕Our own merch on stage — you're not a fan tonight.
✕Bright white that's grey by song three.
✕Loose jewelry that snags a strap, a stand, or a snare.
03
Trash It
Before the next show, bin the dead weight — it only slows load-in.
Kit
it sounds tired
🗑Cracked cymbals and dented heads — they sound like it.
🗑Sticks worn to splinters. Cull the bag, keep two fresh pairs.
🗑Rusted hardware and stripped wing-nuts that never tighten.
🗑The felt-less cymbal stand held together with hope.
Tech
it'll fail on stage
🗑The nest of dead, unlabeled cables. If it's not tested, it's trash.
🗑Frayed in-ear tips and worn-flat earplugs.
🗑The "backup" pedal that's never once worked.
🗑Batteries of unknown age. Bin them, start fresh.
Bag & Van
it's just weight
🗑Setlists, guest lists and drink tickets from tours past.
🗑Gaff rolls with no tape left on the core.
🗑Half-empty water bottles fermenting under the seat.