2 Most Important Live Performance Tips
Very often musicians, artists and bands are oblivious to the basic rudiments of performing. In some cases they are so engrossed in the creativity and the art of music that they totally ignore the people they are supposed to be entertaining, to their detriment.
With live performance being an integral part of a musician’s income stream, more value must be placed on performance and on delivering an excellent performance, as this can drive sales to an incredible height.
One simply needs to look at the news papers or any music press to see the huge difference in ticket prices to see a performance by Madonna & Lady GaGa as opposed to the Joe Bloggs band down the road, with ticket prices ranging from hundreds of pounds to free entry! Your customers are paying for the “performance” song; therefore it is ridiculous not to invest appropriately in your performances especially as a band, artist, or musician where performing to an audience is part of your strategy for success.
The following tips will help you deliver quality performances:
1. Quick Setting Up: I went to see a new band recently in the West End of London. Unfortunately, I had a long wait to hear them as they spent almost 40 minutes setting up their equipment, even though they were already 40 minutes behind schedule. And it was on a week day! Needless to say I was pretty fed up by the time they actually began to play. Considering how I felt, I wonder how much ground they lost in terms of developing a fan base and gaining potential sales?
People judge you by what you do! Do your sound checks in good time if possible and if you are in between bands you need to find a way to speed up or simplify the setting up process! Take note of how professional performers prepare for their gigs. They are always in a state of preparation, tuning their guitars, miking up the drums or plotting out their set while the wannabes are just waiting to be entertained.
Sadly, many people will not return to see the band I spoke about earlier for a long time. That kind of entrance can leave a bad taste in your mouth that you’re not ready to taste again. It bad manners and disrespectful to your audience to keep them waiting so don’t do it!
2. Lacklustre Introduction: In business circles it is said that you are judged in the first 10 seconds, and then opinions are formed about you. Those opinions can cause you to have an easy ride or an uphill struggle.
I think this saying can be applied to a musician’s performance. In one of Madonna’s tours she started the Scottish leg of her performances with Bagpipe players and drummers followed by her first appearance dressed in a Highland costume in an unusual synchronised dance routine. The whole format was spectacular. (Please note: I am not necessarily a Madonna fan, but I do recognise a good performance when I see one.) Yet when the average band or artist is announced they do nothing besides merely singing their song with no form of introduction what so ever.
The first time a performer appears on stage there should be a wow factor that sparks the audience’s curiosity and makes them want to hear more. So ask yourself these questions;
– What can you do for an intro?
– What dramatic/unusual entry can you create?
– What intros stand out for you?
Put these 2 into practice. More Soon!
Boomy Tokan is a Music Business Expert. Sign up for this FREE Course at http://www.musicbusinesstools.com/ that will transform your business. Boomy Tokan is the owner of http://sledgemedia.co.uk and gives Music Business advice globally!
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