by Tiffany Ward

Created on: August 27, 2007

So you're ready to leave the sweaty practice space behind. You want to play out. You want your name in lights, or at least spelled correctly on the dry erase board outside the venue. Well, you're in luck! I've got a few suggestions for you. From a potential fan to a new band.

The most important part of playing a live show isn't remembering all the words or playing the songs perfectly, although that doesn't hurt. Engaging your audience is the key to keeping your fan-base and potentially creating a new one. Keep in mind, they paid to get in and probably didn't come to see your band, so you have to make an big impression. You want to keep them coming back for more.

The audience deserves to feel like they're part of the show, not just sitting in on a practice. If you're not comfortable with witty stage banter, at least ask if everybody's having fun. Make eye contact. Give a shout out to the people in the back. Show your appreciation.

Keep the show moving forward. There's nothing better than a flawless show. When nobody screws up, the fans are excited, the drummer hasn't passed out from exhaustion... But that's not usually what happens. Someone is bound to break a string or put a drumstick through a snare. It happens, but you can't let it slow you down.

If possible, keep tuned backup instruments in case of strings breaking. It's just easier to pick up another guitar rather than sit down and change a string. It's annoying to carry that much equipment, but if it takes you more than 5 minutes to change strings you're going to lose the attention of the audience and possible have to cut your set short.

Don't book shows too far outside of your genre. If someone pays to see a killer punk show and the first band is playing Backstreet Boys covers, they are going to walk out.

Have fun with your music! Change it up at every show. Your set list should have a variety of different songs. If it's your first time playing, you should have at least one well known cover and it's a good idea to make it funny or ironic. Maybe cover the Backstreet Boys. Or not.

Whatever you do, do it fun and do it up! If people just wanted to hear your songs they'd listen to a CD. They come to see you, to interact with you and to show their love of music, you owe it to the crowd to do the same.

Have a great show.

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