Being able to perform live can be a rewarding thing for musicians. You get to show off your talents in front of a live audience. Additionally, your Performance can allow you to make connections with people.
This all sounds great, but remember that performing live music is quite a different experience than performing at home.
These tips are geared towards musicians but can be used for any performer.
Do it the right way.
To give an amazing performance, you must ensure that your band is ready to go.
Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. The more you practice, the better you’ll be able to perform on stage.
It is important to practice every day. If you are in a band, it would also be good to get together with them to practice your set for the next Performance.
Engage with your Audience
Engaging with your audience live during a performance will help you connect on a deeper level with them.
It’s almost like giving them an invitation to your world while you perform on stage.
Your audience will be more engaged if they are more involved in your Performance. This will result in more energy from the crowd.
You and your band can use this energy to deliver an even better performance.
This can make it easier for you and your band members to enjoy the Performance on stage.
Stage banter: The art of stage banter when performing live
Stage Banter is when you speak to your audience, whether at the start of your Performance or in between songs during transitions or at the end.
You can stand out from other performers by having good stage banter while performing live.
It can help you establish a connection with your audience and build trust.
Your audience will feel cared for by you.
Here are some tips for avoiding banter when you’re attempting to stage banter.
A solid introduction is essential.
So everyone knows who you and your band are, make sure to introduce yourself right away.
Tell them where you are from and tell them about your band.
Be confident
All of this will come with experience. However, you can still sound confident.
Don’t be afraid to engage in stage banter. You can make your brand and your audience uncomfortable by being hesitant.
Keep it short and sweet.
Engaging with the crowd and talking to them can make your Performance more enjoyable for everyone.
Have fun with stage bantering
It’s important to have fun while entertaining the crowd.
It will create a positive atmosphere for everyone by having fun and engaging with the crowd.
Do not be anxious while talking to people. Relax and enjoy chatting with the crowd.
Here’s an example of my band performing the next song. The crowd was more engaged and jokingly laughed at it.
The Best Song Setlist
You can make or break your Performance by the songs you choose, so be wise about what you pick.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your songs
- Which type of audience will you be performing next?
- Which venue is the Performance taking place (Outside or inside)
- What kind of feeling are you trying to achieve?
- The way the songs flow with one another
- Do you have a theme in mind for your setlist?
- What length of time will your whole Performance take?
- How long is each song?
- How do I use the stage for each piece?
It can be both fun and stressful to create your song setlist.
Your Performance should flow.
A good flow makes a performance sound and looks natural.
Avoid sudden pauses during the Performance. This means that silent moments are not allowed unless necessary.
Many bands use pauses between songs instead of smooth transitions. This would interrupt the flow of the whole Performance.
Keep in mind that your goal is to entertain while you’re on stage. You can engage your audience, whether you are playing music or your band members tuning their instruments for the next tune.
Wow, that was so deep!
However, you should know that your audience may notice pauses and gaps in your performances. This could impact their enjoyment of your show.
Create Moments in Your Performance
People don’t attend concerts and live performances just for the music.
They seek the experience and senses of belonging.
During rehearsals, you can find out how to create specific moments in your set.
A setlist with a variety of songs can lead to memorable moments.
It would be best if you were prepared to learn new things.
It’s hard to count how many times I have needed to improvise live on stage.
I have been able to improvise and save myself from embarrassment when I forgot the lyrics or chords while playing the guitar. It has also allowed me to give a more authentic and entertaining performance.
Think about it. We can find ourselves improvising in all kinds of situations throughout our daily lives. Sometimes, things happen unexpectedly, and we are forced to adapt.
Make your mistakes not obvious.
Although perfection would be a great goal, it is unlikely that you will achieve it.
Everybody makes mistakes when performing live music.
No matter how small or large your error is, you don’t want to clarify it to the rest of the group.
They may not have noticed that you, or someone in your group, has messed it up.
Do not give any indications that someone made a mistake during Performance.
Keep cool and play!
How to Choose the Right Outfit
Having the right clothes can make a big difference in your stage presence.
Avoid alcohol
It’s almost time to perform live on stage. Nerves are beginning to kick in, so perhaps it’s a good idea for you to get a few drinks to help calm down.
Wrong.
Even if you’re not intoxicated, performing live can have disastrous effects on your stage performance.
It is important to be focused and in the right mindset when performing live.
You may not be as focused if you drink more than you should.
Do not drink or eat too much.
Drinking too much water can lead to health problems.
Performers tend to drink lots of water before and during performances.
This could be their nerve reaction, but it might not be a good idea.
It is essential to keep hydrated while performing live, especially if your goal is to be a singer. However, consuming too much alcohol can cause you to use the bathroom throughout your Performance.
There are very few opportunities to empty your bladder once you have been on the stage.
It could also be dangerous to eat too much food before performing.
Always be prepared for an encore performance.
It was possible! You did it! Everyone loved your performance.
Everyone is ready for the stage, and then suddenly, you hear the crowd singing.
“Encore, encore, encore!”
The crowd was captivated by your amazing Performance.
It’s great, but it can also be very stressful if you don’t have anything ready for the second. Based on past experiences
You never know when you might be asked to perform an encore performance.
Do not stress about it. Have some fun songs ready for your encore.
Last Thoughts
You have it.
These are 12 tips to help you live your best life.
These tips are based on my own past experiences, and I hope they will be helpful to other performers.
Last but not least, remember to have fun performing live.
After all the stress and hard work that goes into preparing for a live performance, we must remember to have fun.
Live music performance is an amazing experience for musicians.
No matter how big or small the Performance, it would be best always to entertain your audience.