1. I increase my water intake. 

I have mentioned before that I increase my water intake before a recording session but I also do this a couple of days before a big show. It really does make a difference in that it reduces my phlegm production.

Given that eight glasses of water a day is the recommended daily water intake amount, I increase this by about three glasses two days before a show and on the day as well.

2. I sing a lot in the week leading up to the show.

3. I run through my set list as if I am performing on stage.

Every time you do a performance that involves singing more than one song, you will need to work out what order you are going to sing those songs in. This is your ‘Set List’.

I spend quite a lot of time on mine making sure the rise and fall of energy is just how I like it throughout the show and I work out what I am going to say before songs and leading into others. Stories about the songs you are singing is an excellent ‘space filler’ to use.

4. I do an outfit run through.

I theme my shows and people expect me to hit the stage all dressed up. Its just the nature of the music I perform and the style of my shows. The last thing I want to do is to have to stress about what I’m going to wear the-day-of.

So I do a test run. I suss out what dress I’m going to wear, which accessories, I look at the weather forecast to see if I need to take a glamorous coat or not and I also run through my hairstyle.

Yep. It takes a bit of extra effort but if I’m doing a 1920’s show for example, those sorts of hairstyles take time and practice to get looking half decent, so a dry run is worth it.

(It might sound a little superficial but I have a ‘thing’ now that if I do my hair well and it looks good then it will be a good show. If not, well then…)

5. I practice my repertoire.

If I have any new songs that I’m running on the night (which is often the case because I’m a prolific songwriter) then I rehearse them solo before the show.

I go as far as making backing tracks on my iPhone and I sing along to them instead of playing my keyboard. This is because on the night I know I will be using a piano player and so singing to backing tracks gives me more of a ‘real-time’ rehearsal.

Phew! And that’s it! Then I know I’m all set and ready for my big show and I can get excited about it rather than stressed (well, less stressed anyway!)

Lots of love,

Nicola x