One of my favorite things about summer is playing gigs — something I don’t have much time for during the school year. I played my first gig ever back in 2008, and I’ll admit it: I was a little clueless. But three years and countless gigs later, I have a much better handle on things.
So yesterday when Kimberly Sena Moore posted on Facebook about playing her first gig next week, I was inspired to whip up this post with a few tips I wish I’d known way back when.
- Know your venue and audience. My set list for a bar gig is not the same as it is for a gig like today’s, which is outdoors on the Old State Capitol plaza. It helps to have a general idea of who will be listening, and what the environment will be like. Bar = all adults, lots of talking and background noise. Outdoor public area = children will probably be present, more eyes and ears on the performer.
- Dress comfortably. If it’s hot (it’s going to be 96 today!), wear something that will help you stay cool but that is still appropriate to the venue. Keep in mind that you’ll probably be bending over to set up equipment. And if you’re going to be standing (which I always do during a gig) make sure your shoes are comfortable.
- Be well prepared. There’s nothing worse than going into a gig feeling less than confident about the songs you’re playing. Start with songs in your comfort zone, and gradually add new material. It helps to play shorter gigs at first, so that you don’t have as much music to prepare.
- Put some thought into your set list. I always arrange my songs so that there aren’t too many fast ones all at once, and definitely not too many slow ones in a row. Vary the order not only by tempo, but also by genre and style. Keep your audience guessing!
- Throw in some crowd-pleasers. I do a mix of originals and covers at all of my gigs, but I’m always sure to include songs that are guaranteed hits. Songs like “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, and any other songs that are current or classic always go over well.
- It’s okay to use music. Some people feel pressured to have their repertoire completely memorized, but it’s not essential to a successful gig. The audience could care less whether you have a music stand in front of you, as long as you are entertaining. Just make sure not to have your eyes glued to the music — know it well enough so that you only have to glance at it from time to time.
- Arrive early and set up with plenty of time to spare. You don’t want to be scrambling around, checking levels, and tuning your guitar when people expect you to have started playing already. I always make sure I have a few minutes to just chill before I start my set.
- Interact with the audience. Sometimes it can be difficult to do this, especially when there is a lot going on and the setting is less intimate. But when you can, personalize your performance by telling stories about the songs you’re performing, give shout-outs to people in the audience, etc.
- Take breaks if you are playing a long gig. I made the mistake of only taking one quick break during my first couple of 3-hour gigs. My voice and fingers were not happy with me afterwards. Even if you take just five minutes, be sure to give yourself time to use the restroom, have a drink of water, and say hi to people in the audience every hour or so.
- Have fun! Don’t get too wrapped up in playing and singing perfectly. If you’re enjoying yourself, that will shine through and the audience will enjoy you, too. Invite your friends and family so that you have familiar smiling faces to look at and who will cheer you on.
Playing gigs is a LOT different that facilitating a music class or therapy session, as I quickly realized. But it’s a chance to work on your musicianship, as well as get your name out there.
What tips would you add to my list?
Love it, Rachel! This list is great and covers a lot! I used to do open mics all the time but I have been so busy this past year that I have not really had time for any gigs or open mics or anything lately besides work….
Just to add to your “interact with the audience” tip: YES! This is a must and I recommend making eye contact with individual people in the audience if at all possible. Spend time looking at one particular person, like you are singing RIGHT to that person in that moment. Then switch to a different person, then switch to looking far towards the back (so the back people don’t feel left out) and then back towards picking one person, etc. No need to look for like… a full minute, but a good 5 seconds or so per person. This may sound ridiculous, but I know from concerts I have been to when I have been several rows close to the front of the stage… and the musician has looked right at me while he/she is singing… it is not something I have forgotten. Very personal and memorable.
So that is my one big recommendation! Also, if you are playing original material, I recommend telling the story about the song AFTER you play it. You can change it up if you like and tell your story before sometimes, but I personally prefer the idea of introducing just the name of the song first, then playing the song so the audience can take it in and interpret it their own way without knowing your original intent of the composer. Then after playing the song, maybe explain in a few sentences why you wrote the song or what it was about.
And… audiences like jokes. You don’t have to be a stand-up comedian, but if you have a strange/funny story to tell about a song or the day or your week or the gig or the weather or the drive over… anything! Feel free to share it, as long as it is not 20 minutes long! Or if your hair gets caught on the mic stand or you forget the lyrics for a moment or something…. laugh at yourself. If you show frustration and anger or fearfulness, the audience will sense it. Just remember to have fun and the audience will have fun with you!
Thanks for adding your fabulous advice, Jess! It is a blog post within itself :) I love your recommendation to make eye contact with people individually…I always notice when performers do this, which is why I started doing it myself. Thanks again — I know readers will appreciate your input!
Love how you wrote a whole post that will help Kim! AND it will help lots of others, too. Your writing is so clear and easy to follow. Thanks for adding to the online wisdom bucket, Rachel =)
My pleasure! I love this topic :) Thanks for reading, Kat!
Thank you so much, Rachel! I’m excited to put these in place. The one I’m most nervous about is the talking bit…but I guess I do that in certain group situations, so maybe it will be easier than I thought :) ~Kimberly
That was the part I was initially most nervous about, too. But I think you’ll find (like I did) that it actually comes pretty naturally once you’re up in front of people. Can’t wait to see your set list!
Retweeting!!! This list is so awesome! Thanks Rachel!