On stage fright

Stage fright never fully leaves. I have just learned to walk on stage with it instead of waiting for it to go. The shake in my hands before a show is not a warning. It is the body taking the night seriously.

I used to think a confident performer was a fearless one. Now I am sure they are not. They are scared and they go on anyway, and somewhere between the first chord and the second chorus the fear becomes useful. It sharpens everything. It makes me listen harder. It makes me reach further for the high note.

I try to remember that the audience are nervous too, in their own way. They have given me an evening of their life. The least I can do is be honestly afraid with them and sing it out anyway.