If you’ve ever taken the stage—whether as a soloist, part of a band, or leading worship at church—you’ll know a universal truth: things will go wrong. In the latest episode of Profitable Musician Show, Bree Noble and Tara Brueske dive deep into their own archives of cringe-worthy, hilarious, and utterly relatable performance mishaps. Here, we’ve pulled together some eye-opening moments and sound advice for musicians everywhere who wonder, “Is it just me?”
Listen to the podcast here
The Equipment Blues
You might practice your setlist to perfection, but no rehearsal can fully prep you for an ironing-board piano stand or a missing sustain pedal. As Bree shares:
“I got there one time and they’re like, ‘oh, here’s your microphone.’ And it’s like a regular mic stand without a boom…I literally had to have it right next to my piano bench and have it pointing at me like in the weirdest way. And I was play and like turn my head like this to be in the microphone.”
Tara echoes the experience with her own tales of keyboard confusion:
“I have found people giving me keyboards without a sustain pedal, not understanding…Or a piano, like a regular acoustic piano. Sustain pedal doesn’t work. And they go, ‘oh, do you need that?’”
The takeaway? Bring duct tape, extra mic clips, and—if it fits—your own gear. And always “be very clear about the equipment that I need.”
Outdoor Gigs: Sound and Fury
Summer festivals and outdoor concerts might seem dreamy, but sun-soaked sound systems can melt those dreams fast. As Tara remembers:
“Speakers smoke. Oh, not my own, but, like at some big event outdoors… The system literally would not work. It overheated.”
Outdoor performers know all too well the unpredictability of the elements:
“I bring tarps along now to gigs just in case you got a throw things over fast because you don’t want to get them wet.”
Rule for the road: Pack for all seasons, and expect the unexpected.
Personal Woes: Glasses, Sheet Music & Kids
Sometimes, the mishaps are closer to home. Bree recounts a relatable disaster:
“I set my glasses down on the piano bench…Turned back around, sat down right on my glasses, and broke them in half…Luckily, I had just enough time that I could run in the back…and grabbed [another pair], and I ran back in without anyone noticing.”
Forget glasses? Drop your music mid-song? As Tara puts it:
“The whole thing crashed. Oh no. In the middle of a gig. And I just stopped and I said, well, I guess better go pick that up. And then I just, I made a joke.”
Both hosts agree—be ready to improvise, apologize, and laugh it off.
Musicians with kids face a special brand of chaos. Bree describes a particularly memorable gig with her daughter:
“She peed her pants…Of course, dumb Me thinking, oh, it’s just a day gig. I didn’t bring any extra clothes. And so I was like, shoot, like, I can’t bring her into this gig when she’s, like, covered in pee.”
The lesson here? Always pack a spare set—for everyone.
Human Error: Forgotten Lyrics & Wandering Minds
No matter how many times you’ve played a song, nerves and distractions find a way. Bree confides:
“Right before I’m gonna go on. I cannot remember the words. The first words, and I’m there, and I get to, like, literally, like, one second before I’m supposed to sing, and then I remember them, and then it comes.”
Tara adds:
“Have you had to…When you’re singing a song that, like, yes, you’re focused, you know the words, but then something distracts you, like a thought for a moment, and then you just are like, oh, my goodness. I don’t even know what the next thing is.”
Staying present is as much a part of the craft as perfecting your scales.
Audience Encounters: The Good, The Bad, The Bizarre
Sometimes, the drama comes from the crowd. Bree recalls:
“This guy comes up and…he wants to go all these places and do this ministry…but, you know, what I really need to make this happen is I need a wife. And he’s like, and I just think you would be the perfect partner for this…So he’s trying to sell me on this idea that I could be his wife. And I’m like, wedding ring!”
Tara laughs it off, reminding us:
“I think especially for women…women can get hit on a lot from just being performers…some guys…just think that we’re talking to them specifically.”
The Final Note: You’re Not Alone
“If these things have happened to you, you’re not alone,” Bree reassures listeners. Tara concludes on a wise, lighthearted note:
“Get out there and keep performing and don’t fear, but just let it be a joyful time and laugh at yourself sometimes.”
So, next time your gear fails, your lyrics vanish, or a wardrobe malfunction strikes—breathe, smile, and remember you’re in good company.
What’s your most memorable mishap? Join the conversation with Bree (@profitablemusicianllc) and Tara (@tarabrueskemusic) on Instagram and let your war stories fly!
Key Takeaways:
– Over-prepare, pack backups (for everything).
– Spell out your needs to venues—never assume.
– Embrace imperfection—your audience wants a human, not a jukebox.
– Find the humor, and always have a good story ready for the next podcast.
Happy gigging, and may your next mishap become a great anecdote!
