"Familiarity" & Overcoming Stage Fright

I read something this week suggesting anyone with stage fright should familiarise themselves with the venue before the gig if possible, as fear of the "unknown" plays a big part in stage fright when gigging.

I agree with this completely. However, I'd take it a stage further.
If you can, you should do more than try to visit the venue ahead of when you play the gig, so you can check out the place and imagine what it will be like to successfully gig there.

On gig night itself, assuming it's a bar or maybe a small club, when you start setting up ahead of your sound check, look for something which you can move the position of. A table or chair or two will usually do the trick. I ilke to assume I have the authroity to do it but you can always ask the landlord/venue manager if you're uptight about this. Tell him it's to get the best position for sound those members of the audience in these particular seats.

Crazy as it may sound, the idea here is to up your confidence level by stamping some of your authority on the place. Performers will often talk about needing to feel like you "own" the stage when you're performing.

Moving some items around in the place and is a tool for helping you feel like you "own" the venue, like you're in control. "Familiarity", mentioned at the start of this post, is more than just being familiar with the venue.

Know your material inside out obviously. But how about being so familiar with the material you can play your guitar or drum parts with weights on your wrists? Imagine how much easier the gig itself will become when you're "weight-free" and how this feeling could enhance your confidence on the night....