Whether you’ve been in the entertainment business for a long time or performing live for the first time, concerts and gigs can be overwhelming. However, performing live is a rewarding experience. Putting on a show is also a great artistic experience and can be entertaining for the live audience. However, feeling jittery and nervous may ruin your experience, and neither would the audience get value for their money. So here are eight ways to boost your performance to make the most out of your performance.
- Refine your performance
An important way of improving your live performance is to practice for gigs individually, whether or not you’re in a band. Focusing on your role prepares you for various situations and circumstances. It is best to practice singing and playing an instrument in conditions that are not optimal for performance. You can practice playing an instrument when talking or without looking at it. You can practice sitting, standing, or walking in different positions if you’re the vocalist. The more you practice in substandard settings, the more comfortable you would become with performing live.
- Work on your stage presence
People go to concerts to listen to their favorite songs live and partially for their favorite musician or band’s stage presence. Concerts are not just for listening to music; people can do that at home. Your audience wants the whole experience. To give them the show of their lifetime, work on your stage presence so that they look forward to your work and live performances. Use band backdrops from Tour Essentials to make the set visually appealing. High-quality backdrops are great for photography and also help with marketing. Also, keeping your energy levels high helps engage better with the audience. If you’re in a band, you can create fun activities with your bandmates to keep the audience engaged and entertained.
- Rehearse with your band
Apart from individual performance, it would be best if you worked on improving your band’s overall performance. Though this tip is primarily for bands, solo performers should also rehearse with other musicians before performing live. Putting on a show is more than just performing well. Make full use of band rehearsals to ensure the rhythm is right, impacting your stage presence. To prepare for live performances, record your rehearsals and review them later. Video recordings can help assess your visuals, and audio recordings help notice rhythmic flaws and overcome them before the concert.
- Make sure you’re ready for a live performance
Creating music and selling it online or uploading a catchy video with your music playing in the background is one aspect of being a performer or a musician. Preparing yourself for performing live is another and often overlooked part of being an artist. Before you plan on touring, ensure that you are ready for the job. If you book a gig without substantial music to your name, an audience to fill the venue, or band members to perform with you, your concert may not stand out. Another tip is to avoid playing acoustic versions or covers unless that’s what you have been hired to do. It is better to talk with your tour manager or promoter regarding the length of your performance and the songs they want. Communicating beforehand is better than underdelivering.
- Get feedback
In addition to working on your performance, solicit feedback from your friends, family, bandmates, or fellow musicians. Feedback is great for improving your singing, playing, or presence as an artist. You can also get feedback about other aspects of your performance, like the choice of songs, length, and choreography. Also, playing in front of people you feel comfortable with prepares you for performing in front of a huge live audience. Ask your “practice audience” for stage presence, body language, and music feedback. Doing so should help you prepare for interacting with a crowd you’re unfamiliar with.
- Maintain a strong social media presence
A social media presence, though not directly linked with performing, showcases your engagement and enthusiasm for your audience or fanbase. Live performances are an excellent way for fans to know more about you and your craft. But before you perform, update your social media handles like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other platform you use to engage with your fans. For example, if you sell your music online, update fans through engaging content and marketing campaigns. Doing so helps increase the prospects of people coming to your show. Also, after the show, use your social media handles to thank your audience and fans for their support. Appreciating your fans is a kind gesture that boosts your image as an artist.
- Run through soundchecks
Soundchecks are necessary to ensure your live performance goes well. You must conduct soundchecks once you’ve entered the venue and set up equipment. Most musicians and bands have sound engineers or technicians to check instruments for tuning and volume. In addition, most musicians and bands have a road crew with technicians to perform such checks; however, if your budget doesn’t allow that, perform soundchecks yourself. Soundchecks are also necessary to assess the venue’s sound system and ensure it’s at the proper frequency and volume.
- Interact with the Audience
One of the best ways of improving your performance during a concert is to interact with your audience. Soundchecks and practice before the performance are crucial, but if you’re not engaging with your audience through small discussions or offering merchandise after the show, it can affect your presence as an artist. You can organize a Q&A session after the concert or a private meet-and-greet. Interacting with fans during or after the concert is an excellent way of showing your appreciation and expressing gratitude. Also, you can create merchandise for your fans or designate a time after the concert for autographs. Though not directly linked with performance, working on providing a positive and fun experience for your audience shows how much you appreciate their support.
Conclusion
Concerts are an excellent way to interact with your fans, earn a good living and enhance and advance your music career. However, producing good music is not enough to be a good performer. Often big names in the entertainment industry fail to perform in front of a live audience. They either lack the stage presence or demeanor to keep their fans engaged. If you’re a beginner musician or planning to organize a tour any time soon, follow these tips to put on a one-of-a-kind show for your audience.
