Stage Presence
Stage presence is a key to success, make no mistake about it. When fans pay to come see you perform, make sure they leave satisfied. Communication is such a key to keeping your audience involved. Talk to them. Give them tidbits on why the song was written. Fans love the personal notes and it helps them bond with the musicians in the band. Look them in the eye. Touch people’s hands. If you’re a male artist who attracts a mainly female fanbase and you see a guy in the audience, show your appreciation by shaking his hand or giving him a high five.....
Large or small, that whole stage is yours, so use it! Take a stroll Stage Right. Back to center. Upstage. Are people in the forgotten seats? Play to them. Downstage–maybe head Stage Left. Hang out there for a few. If there’s a loft or balcony, look up. Is there Industry in the loft? Surprise the hell out of ‘em by acknowledging them like any other audience members. They may not respond, but that’s OK, it’s your stage not theirs. Go back and see the people Stage Right. Mix it up. Adjust your pace with the tempo of the music. If you play guitar and venture too far from your mic, give yourself time to get back for your next vocal part.....
And Keep the energy up. Once you’ve got the audience locked in, don’t let go.....
Acknowledge the crowd and show passion and feelings (This is vital for large stages, or when venue capacity is 10,000 or more, or when there’s a wide distance between you and the audience.) For a smaller stage or more intimate venue, gesture less broadly but use your body language to claim your space. Think “Tall”. This is what American Idol judges mean when they say “own it,”…and make the audience feel them too. Create the moment....
Work on it. To some, this all comes naturally, however, to most, it must be learned and practiced. If this is how you plan to make your living, then you must work at your craft.....
Then, most importantly, tell them who you are, thank them warmly for coming out to the show, and get off the stage.....
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Control of Reason on -
Well that certainly sounds better than our approach.....
We always went on the assumption that when we talk to a crowd its more a case of pointing out who you want to screw. And if you need a toilet break? forget it. I'd stop a song midflow and then charge at full speed with my guitar like a joust at the offender.
Did you clap? Well you say you did but it wasn't like a seal that wants a fish, therefore the next song is going to consist of me screaming in your face and making comments about your sexual orientation.
I own the stage, so if you touch it, if you even rest your hand on it then I will step on your fingers and then thrash your skull with the ass end of my guitar.
We implement the use of cattle prods and adding salt to the drinks to ensure audience dedication, and usually around the start of a second set, I will pull someone on the stage and we will re-enact the tramp act scene from "A Clockwork Orange" on this randomly selected person.
Stand tall? I will get out a 15ft high set of ladders and elbow drop the an audience member.
The sound has to be pounding, and in our view, there is no better way of achieving a great sound than by gaffer taping an audience member to the bass cab and cranking it up to '11' and then having a half hour bass solo.
And you! Yes you, my oh my your petite, I bet you can't fit in the bass drum.....wow you can, "1,2,3 hit it!!" *Break into double pedal machine gun sounding drum pattern....*
I think perhaps we should follow the advice of the author from now on, these court cases against us are starting to mount up.
Peas 'n' Glove,
Control of Reason
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Permalink Reply by LCF on -
But if the music sucks, you're still screwed. So i'd focus on making good music first. If it's good, the audience will get everything they need from you pouring your soul out. But that's just my take on it.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Vavrek on -
What I've learned over the years- ALWAYS make the audience feel like there in on something. U know, before the gig starts, or setbreak- single someone or a small group out, engage them in conversation, then before u hit the stage say something to only them! Like "man, watch this!" "watch me make a fool of myself" or even "I'm scared as hell" u know. They love this! It makes them feel like there in on something mo one else knows. They "get the inside joke" etc.. I've always felt that the only difference between the band and the fans is the way we are facing- PERIOD. Guaranteed there are musicians/ singers FAR more skilled then I am for sure!! When you bring them into your world, your stage, u got em. If your a jam band- Watch the girl dancing to all the songs. When she stops, time to change it up- transition into another tune. Fans are the whole reason we can do what we do- so yeah, I agree, engage is KEY! and don't tell the same tales every night! Your die hard fans are following you! Take Perry Farrell, my man puts a spell on the audience- thats a great example of owning the stage! GREAT discussion! Thanks for allowing my 2 cents! (::)
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Permalink Reply by Derrick Brandon on
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I would have to totally agree we have a huge fan base they are the key elements in our playing all over with great reviews. They have totally supported us.
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