Have you ever played in front of people while drunk, and if so, how did it go?

[Jamolay]

I am a beginner and love the idea of a nice drink to relax and play guitar. However, one sip and the newby fingers go all wonky before I can even drink enough not to care.

It is a timing thing. Can’t figure out the timing of the music, or the booze. I have a lot to learn….

[Mr Bojangles]

Back in the 70's when I thought I was Keith Richards I used to play with a bottle of Jack Daniels on my Ampeg V-4 amp during gigs while playing my Dan Armstrong plexiglas guitar. Fun times, those!

These days I play solo acoustic and limit it to a couple of pints.

[theghostwriter]

Originally Posted by Mr Bojangles

Back in the 70's when I thought I was Keith Richards I used to play with a bottle of Jack Daniels on my Ampeg V-4 amp during gigs while playing my Dan Armstrong plexiglas guitar. Fun times, those!

These days I play solo acoustic and limit it to a couple of pints.

A couple pints of Jack Daniels is still impressive.

[Mr. Jelly]

We opened for Duke Robillard at a blues cellar once. Years ago, of course. Only an hour set. The singer stepped up on stage with a tray of tequila shots. I checked the tray out after the set, and it was empty. I didn't see the singer the rest of the evening.

[Silly Moustache]

I like booze. We tend to drink a bottle of wine most nights, and after not being able to go to pubs for most of the last two years, I've now been able to sit in two pubs and drink real British bitter! Pale ale is OK as a substitute but nothing is as good as a real live bitter!

I have been known (way back) to drink three pints of bitter - in an evening (and drive home) now I get tipsy on one.

I have seen performers playing when drunk. I feel it disingenuous.

If I'm playing I do not take alcohol before I perform.

Usually I'm driving home after so I can't drink after either.
When you play at home, drink what you like - you are playing for yourself.

When you are playing for an audience - you are playing for them, and they deserve the best you can be.

[Gordon Currie]

Although I do enjoy a drink at times, I find alcohol reduces my quality of participation, and I end up being a better spectator than performer.

For me, rhythm is the first thing to suffer. Dynamics is second. Pitch is third.

It's just not satisfying to try and make magic happen while being impaired.

[rmp]

a drink to release inhibitions ? yes

drunk ? No...

in fact, I'm rarely drunk, I just be drinking!

[Nymuso]

With friends in an informal vacation situation when nobody was driving anywhere, sure.

Never for a real audience. I knew guys who thought it was cool to do that and I do remember seeing a well known professional who was clearly drunk on stage. I have zero respect for either the cool guys or the so-called professional.

[Glennwillow]

Have you ever played in front of people while drunk, and if so, how did it go?

Nope, never have. I drink, if at all, very moderately, and never before playing in public.

- Glenn

[menhir]

This is going waaaaay back in the very early 70's. I was still in high school and playing in an instrumental group for weddings and such...My very early performing days.

The band had a lot of fun at one particular wedding reception. So did the audience.
Truth be told, we were all pretty toasted.

I bought along a little tape recorder that was left running on stage.

We thought we did the best performance of our burgeoning careers...Nailed it!...high fives all around.

The next day we listened to the recording, anticipating a celebration of our previous night's awesomeness.

...

Lesson learned.

[KevWind]

Me ? no but I have played as John Fogerty put it "while people sat there drunk" and why I pretty much quit doing bar gigs..

[theghostwriter]

Originally Posted by KevWind

Me ? no but I have played as John Fogerty put it "while people sat there drunk" and why I pretty much quit doing bar gigs..

Stuck in Lodi again...

[6L6]

"If I only had a dollar for every song I've sung..."

Fogerty

[slimey]

Played in front of a bunch of drunk people, there's always that one that thinks they need to be on the stage with you.
Those moments when music becomes a full contact sport , sometimes there's a lot to be said for carbon instruments, they swing from behind your shoulder so well....

[ssstewart]

in the 80s and 90s i was probably drunk more than sober when i played in front of crowds. not including the shrooms, and other chems.