Kiley Baxter - PRESHOW RITUALS

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

For me, my pre-show ritual extends far beyond the moments just before stepping up on stage. In the days and weeks leading up to a tour, I like to visualize the entire performance I’m going to put on—down to my movements, breaths, and interactions. This level of preparation eliminates any anxiety, allowing me to fully enjoy the other experiences on the tour, such as exploring the new places I’m in, without the looming worry about the night's performance.

On the day of the show, I give myself about two hours after eating before hitting the stage. I prefer to stay away from anything overly acidic on the day of the performance. Being vegan for over three years has tremendously helped keep my voice in show-ready condition by eliminating dairy, etc. Instead of coffee, I enjoy drinking throat coat tea and honey before a show. I believe hydration is a key factor leading into the performance.

At 20 minutes to showtime, I do my vocal warm-ups to stretch and prepare my vocal cords, slowing down my breathing to get rid of excess anxious energy. (I think a little is good though ;)

I find the pre-show hair and makeup process to be therapeutic and almost meditative. I love having the time to quiet my mind and just sit with myself. Honestly, though, there’s nothing that prepares me more to step on stage than a killer outfit and some high heels! Ultimately, the most important thing I prepare myself to do is soak in every ounce of energy the night has to offer.

Keep up with Kiley Baxter on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.