Jeremy & the Harlequins - PRESHOW RITUALS

In this Preshow Rituals segment, Jeremy, of the rock/alternative/Americana band, Jeremy & The Harlequins, reveals what he does before taking the stage. You can check out the rituals below:

It might seem trivial, but I rarely deviate from my pre-show rituals. Sure, a variable might change here and there, and I’m not as strict with in-stores or stripped-down sets. But for a full show, I stick to the plan.

Food first. I can’t eat within two—ideally three—hours before hitting the stage. Nothing kills my energy like feeling full and sluggish under the lights. This gets tricky when we’re supporting a headliner since venues usually serve dinner early. Add in the grind of driving city to city, and the timing becomes its own juggling act.

Drinks second. Every rider I’ve ever made has included a bottle of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum (Sailor Jerry if they can’t get Captain) plus a liter of Diet Coke. My sweet spot is two to four drinks before showtime—just enough to get loose, never sloppy.

Why rum? Habit, mostly. It was the first thing I ever drank before a gig, and it stuck. But I’ll say this: every spirit has its own personality. Whiskey broods. Gin’s unpredictable. Tequila is wild and unforgiving. Vodka sneaks up on you. Rum? Pure fun, high-energy, and perfect for the stage. For me, it fuels the onstage character. After the show… that’s another story.

The rest. I don’t have an elaborate warm-up routine. On tour I’ll hit the gym or treadmill earlier in the day, but pre-show it’s usually just a few stretches and jumps to get the blood moving. As for vocals—well, the rum handles that.

Keep up with Jeremy & The Harlequins on their website and Instagram.