Feel the need to play barefoot. Why?

[kwmlondon]

The last couple of rehearsals I've been to I've felt compelled to take my shoes off. I have no idea why. I've started to notice a lot of performers don't wear shoes. Anyone else getting this?

[JoeEvans]

I find playing barefoot or in very soft, minimal shoes to be helpful when playing double bass. Something about a loose, natural posture, I think.

[lidl e]

I like to do rehearsals in crocs!

[Beedster]

Too many underfoot hazards in most rehearsal spaces and venues for me to do that 

[neepheid]

There's absolutely no way in hell I'd play barefoot on some of the stages I've stood on 🤢

[Paul S]

3 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Too many underfoot hazards in most rehearsal spaces and venues for me to do that 

 

Not to mention bio-hazards - I don't suppose rehearsal space carpets get cleaned that often outside of a desultory vacuum once a week - could end up with Lord Knows What attached to your socks.  

[snorkie635]

Played barefoot for around four years back in the 70s. Stopped after some kind soul in the audience decided to lob a pint tumbler at my feet one night. Damn thing actually got stuck in my foot - not pleasant at all. So now, tootsies are well covered.

[kwmlondon]

20 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Too many underfoot hazards in most rehearsal spaces and venues for me to do that 

Yep. I agree - when I was in The Music Complex I kept my shoes on but I really wanted to take them off. If it wasn't for the state of the carpet...

[kwmlondon]

15 minutes ago, Paul S said:

 

Not to mention bio-hazards - I don't suppose rehearsal space carpets get cleaned that often outside of a desultory vacuum once a week - could end up with Lord Knows What attached to your socks.  

Yep. I know. I do have some shoes with very thin tread though, they feel very connected.

[kwmlondon]

9 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

Played barefoot for around four years back in the 70s. Stopped after some kind soul in the audience decided to lob a pint tumbler at my feet one night. Damn thing actually got stuck in my foot - not pleasant at all. So now, tootsies are well covered.

Oh god.

[neepheid]

13 minutes ago, Paul S said:

 

Not to mention bio-hazards - I don't suppose rehearsal space carpets get cleaned that often outside of a desultory vacuum once a week - could end up with Lord Knows What attached to your socks.  

 

Oh!  What I'd give to be spat-at-in-the-face have the rehearsal room hoovered once in decade

[snorkie635]

2 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

Oh god.

I think I said something like that. 😫

 

😁

[Waddo Soqable]

I used to walk around barefoot quite a lot, and even drove a motor likewise but I'd definitely not be playing a gig or rehearsal room without footwear. 

I suppose you could take your own nice bit of carpet with you and roll it out to stand on, might be an interesting stage gimmick... 

[kwmlondon]

1 minute ago, Waddo Soqable said:

I used to walk around barefoot quite a lot, and even drove a motor likewise but I'd definitely not be playing a gig or rehearsal room without footwear. 

I suppose you could take your own nice bit of carpet with you and roll it out to stand on, might be an interesting stage gimmick... 

I guess sandals may be a good compromise!

[Waddo Soqable]

Just now, kwmlondon said:

I guess sandals may be a good compromise!

As long as you're not in a punk or metal type band ! 

[kwmlondon]

6 minutes ago, Waddo Soqable said:

As long as you're not in a punk or metal type band ! 

Just paint your feet black. Nobody'd know.

[Waddo Soqable]

Just now, kwmlondon said:

Just paint your feet black. Nobody'd know.

Mine often look like that anyway.. 👍

[Reggaebass]

Crocs and socks are a good image 😁

[kwmlondon]

9 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Crocs and socks are a good image 😁

I'm 47, I've not been fashionable for two decades now.

[snorkie635]

49 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

I guess sandals may be a good compromise!

Severus Septimius Rotten?

[snorkie635]

51 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

I guess sandals may be a good compromise!

 

53 minutes ago, Waddo Soqable said:

I used to walk around barefoot quite a lot, and even drove a motor likewise but I'd definitely not be playing a gig or rehearsal room without footwear. 

I suppose you could take your own nice bit of carpet with you and roll it out to stand on, might be an interesting stage gimmick... 

CSN&Y used to specify that any stage they played on, had to have a hand-woven Persian rug placed for them to stand on. I seem to recall that Nash used to perform in barefoot-mode.

[Britsie]

I played barefoot once at a very hot summer rehearsal. Suddenly I had a new appreciation for the Boss pedal design.😆

[Trueno]

The place I once rehearsed in… you’d be in danger of treading on a used johnny.

[Lozz196]

3 hours ago, neepheid said:

There's absolutely no way in hell I'd play barefoot on some of the stages I've stood on 🤢

Me neither, especially combined with the at times over enthusiastic audiences landing all over the stage.

[MichaelDean]

2 hours ago, Trueno said:

The place I once rehearsed in… you’d be in danger of treading on a used johnny.

What you get up to in your garage is up to you, but I'm assuming that's why the rest of the band didn't want to go back!