What makes a good show?
Perception is everything, especially when it comes to performing. One must do everything they can to create a favorable perception of the band for the audience. Looking like one is having a fun time on stage as well as interacting with the audience is critical to a band’s success. I have analyzed what bands do and do not do and have broken down what bands can do to help get that favorable perception. I have seen bands create unfavorable perceptions with audience, and usually never see them play at an event again.
A fan just wants to have a great time watching a band. This usually means dancing and rocking out to the songs. If a musician does not play the song exactly as it should be, most fans will never pick up on that. If a singer is not Pavarotti, fans will not notice. But fans will notice if the band looks like they are having fun playing for them. That is because fans want the overall experience. This overall experience is music combined with a great performance.
A band should open with a familiar and strong song to get the crowd engaged from the very start. You want the audience to think ‘Wow! This is going to be a great show!’ Positive perception.
The frontman will ‘Welcome’ the audience after the opening before going into the next song. Let me say a few things about talking between songs: It should be limited because you do not want to lose your audience with the 7 second attention span. So don’t ramble on because you may think you are funny, because chances are the audience just wants to hear music. The use of foul language should only be used IF the crowd dictates it (READ the room, AKA know your audience). Also, I cannot stress this enough, use cursing and such very sparingly. I’ve been at shows where “F” bombs, and “M.F’ers” were used excessively. While I’m not personally offended by curse word, there may be kids or some older folks in the crowd who DO take offense to foul language. Bottom line: ALWAYS BE PROFESSIONAL.
ENGAGE with your crowd! Again, know who you are playing for, whether it is younger folks, older folks, a mix of age groups or families with kids, get your audience to participate in some way. From my personal experience, shows that included audience participation were much more memorable. So it goes to reason that interacting with the audience should get you a better fan following.
If your band is playing more than one set, finish with a great song that will keep the crowd wanting to hear more and stick around during the break. A major concern here is to not take a break for too long. I’ve seen crowds thin out during long breaks. Then start the next set with another strong crowd-pleasing song.
If you are in a cover band and you have original songs, these songs need to be played near the middle of your set and let the crowd know about it before you start playing it so they are prepared for an unfamiliar tune.
Watch your audience; are they near the stage? Are they dancing? Are they singing along? Do they seem bored or uninterested? Take mental notes during each song or better yet, have a friend/relative take notes for you for you to review post-show.
Be sure to have a big shout-out and thank your venue host and servers. Encourage the crowd to tip the bartenders and servers. Introduce your band members, mention your website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and your next event (date/time/place).
Always end your set with another familiar and strong song. Try to have an extra in your ‘back pocket’ for when the crowd shouts “one-more-song”, you can give it to them if time and the venue allows for it.
After the show be sure to be available to your ‘fans’. They’ll want to meet you, chat, get photos, etc. Yes, I know you can be tired and will want to just pack up to get home but keep smiling and do the meet & greets. Take selfies. Answer questions. Show people you are down to earth. Otherwise, people could perceive you as arrogant and stuck up, which could translate into a lost fan. Be outgoing and folks will most likely want to come see you again.
A musician worries about playing everything correctly. They are concerned about the songs and the arrangements. Musicians may not be aware of what the fan wants. All it takes to find out is to ask me!