You may not believe it but performing on stage in front of thousands of people doesn’t actually come naturally to most people – not even the biggest names in the music industry. But like many things, the more you do it, the more comfortable you get. And as you get more comfortable, you can start pulling out all the stops to make your performances really stand out. So, how do the stars do it? Here are eight top tips that are used by global artists to make their live performances the most memorable experience.
1. Maximum Audience Engagement
Audience engagement is probably one of the most important elements of live performance. It is easy to really get lost in the music, and that is okay for certain songs and situations, but you want to openly invite the audience to be with you while you are performing by making eye contact, introducing yourself and your band, inviting them to sing along and getting them actively involved in between songs. Freddie Mercury’s interaction with the crowd at Queen’s 1985 Live Aid performance was an iconic and world-famous example of maximum audience engagement.
2. Stage Banter
Stage banter is a huge element of audience interaction, and if it doesn’t land, it can leave your gig flat even if your actual music performance was phenomenal. Having good stage banter throughout your entire performance really sets you apart from others and allows you to build a relationship with the audience and show that you care about them. The trick to effective stage banter is being confident, keeping it short and sweet and having a bit of fun with it. If you’re enjoying yourself and having fun talking to and engaging with the audience, chances are they are having fun too.
3. Be Thankful
The audience has paid and travelled to watch you perform, your band supports you through every song, and you have an entire team of people working hard behind the scenes to make this all possible. The very least you could do is acknowledge them and show your appreciation. Thanking your audience for attending the show makes them feel personally connected to you and the performance, and both your band and the rest of the team will be grateful that you are grateful for their hard work and recognize the time and effort they put in for you.
4. Practice, Practice and Practice
The more you perform, the more comfortable you get in front of a crowd and the bigger you can go with performances. Giving yourself and your band adequate time to practice is absolutely essential. You need to make sure all the sounds and songs flow and transition smoothy, and you can make any alterations to the order of the set and try out new ways of doing things. But you cannot do any of this without rehearsal rooms. PIRATE offers rehearsal rooms that come with all the professional equipment you need to be able to deliver a performance that is out of this world. With different sized rehearsal studios to suit all your needs, you will be left buzzing with confidence and eager to get out there and perform.
5. Create a Sensory Experience
The best and most memorable performances tap into a whole load of your senses to give you a full on musical sensory experience. Iconic live performances are created when the artist doesn’t just sing, they full on perform. Yes, it is all about the sounds, but it is also about creating an atmosphere through anticipation, tempo changes, signature outfits, dance routines, lighting, fireworks, the lot. Coldplay once lit up Wembley Stadium with glowing wristbands; it is these creative techniques that make a performance unique and memorable.
6. Be Prepared to Improvise
Even in the best performances, there is bound to be a hiccup somewhere along the line, even if it’s just a minor one. A lot of the time, the audience wouldn’t even pick up on these small mistakes, and it is best to carry on as normal and not even acknowledge them, but sometimes you will have to improvise. This is where your audience engagement comes in. If you are in the flow of things and have really connected with the audience then improvising shouldn’t be difficult. But knowing that there will be moments that you definitely have not prepared for makes it easier when the time comes.
7. Give Them Something New
Your audience know and love your songs; it is why they paid for tickets and attended your performance. So, why not throw something new into the mix? Giving them a taster of what is to come adds a personal touch, makes them feel special and helps you to really connect on a deeper level with your audience. Provide them with a little snippet of a future release or let them into something personal that you have been working on; you and your fans are on this musical journey together, so make sure they know they are a part of it.
Performing live is a thrilling experience, and by following these tips, you and your audience will have the time of your lives.