INDIE ARTIST INSIDER #018
Fine Tuning Your Live Performance

Welcome to The Indie Artist Insider.  Every week, we will post a new video containing tips, tricks, and sound advice on how to succeed in the music business.  We will start off targeting those who are new to the music scene and progress into topics for the most seasoned and veteran musicians.

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Indie artist Insider, in this episode we will talk about Fine Tuning your live performance

If you are just staring out playing shows, or of you’re a veteran of the concert stage, regular evaluation of your live performance and slight adjustments can keep your shows fresh and your fans happy.

Open your show with a dynamic and energetic number.  Opening with a ballad starts the show off on a slow tone and may quickly lose the audience.  Hit them with energy and fill the room with an upbeat catchy, hook-laden song.

Speaking of ballads, it is usually never a good idea to do more than one ballad in a row.  Try to keep the set mixed, with uptempo songs and slower songs alternating.  

Always go over your gear, replacing strings, batteries and anything else that looks warn or in need of replacement.  Check cables before every show.  

Make sure songs flow well and transition well.  Avoid long pauses between songs,  Work out setlists that total 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, so you can easily slip into any show and fill any time slot.  Learn some covers if you do not yet have enough original material.

Keeping your instrument volume consistent with others on stage.  That is very important.  Having one instrument twice as loud as everything else on stage will make it hard for band members to hear the totality of the band’s sound and make it difficult for the front of house engineer to get an even mix for the room.  

Consider the bands you are playing with and the makeup of the audience, when determining your set list.  Choose songs that will fit the vibe and resonate with the audience.

Taking time to periodically adjust and fine tune your set will not only keep it interesting for fans who see multiple shows, it will keep things fun and different for the band, so you will be less likely to go “through the motions” on stage, or “phoning it in.“

If you have any topics you would like to see covered on the Indie Artist Insider, please email host Joe Kleon at promotions@songcastmusic.com