Amanda Ayala - PRESHOW RITUALS

In this Preshow Rituals segment, the pop/rock artist, Amanda Ayala, reveals what she does before taking the stage. You can check out the rituals below:

I’ve been performing for a long time and over the years I started out with local bar gigs and worked my way up to clubs, festivals, and even an arena show. And honestly, no matter where I’m playing, my pre-show routine has stayed pretty consistent over the years. It’s something I’ve come to rely on to keep me centered and ready to go.

These days, I’ve gotten way better at managing the nerves. When I was younger, I’d be pacing around before shows, super jittery. Now I like to keep things calm. I try not to do too much the day of a show. I feel like I’ve learned to protect my energy so I’m not burnt out before I even get on stage. If anything, I’ll get in a light gym session in the morning. Nothing intense, just something to move a bit and clear my head. It weirdly helps boost my mood and sets a good tone for the rest of the day.

I usually don’t eat before a show, I don’t like to feel weighed down or — call it a superstition — of not feeling good after eating! Another change is as much as I love a good energy drink, I won’t even look at one until after I’m off stage. I find that caffeine really affects my singing and especially speeds up my vibrato too much so I always like to wait until after. I call it my little post-show treat. Mentally, I just need something mindless to do like a video game, a book, or just quietness before I go on. Doesn’t matter if I’m in a green room, a car, or just hanging alone. I really just like to zone out, stay low-key, and avoid any last-minute chaos. I remember getting ready to perform with The Maine at the Moody Center opening for Fall Out Boy and all my friends and family couldn’t believe how relaxed I was. It was a sold-out crowd, and somehow my mindset was the same as it’s always been: stay grounded, stay focused and stay calm!! I’m naturally a pretty anxious person, so if I start rushing around or getting pulled in a million directions, it totally throws me off. Having that quiet moment to myself helps me reset and show up as the best version of me when the lights go up.

Keep up with Amanda Ayala on Instagram and Twitter.