Backstage With the Band

[StageMasters]

The true tripod for a perfect and successful stage performance resides in:
Techniques - Awareness - Creativity.
- Techniques to master your instrument and all what consists into a strong base for a stage performance from all its point of views.
- Awareness to understand why you do what you do on stage - to be able to understand the expectations of your audience - to know your musicians very well and know what to expect from them - to be able to see the big picture for your business goals.
- Creativity to be able to truly amaze your audience. Creativity allows you to bring your personality right into your show and share in the most honest way why you do what you do with your fans.

StageMasters

[twostone]

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StageMasters wrote:

The true tripod for a perfect and successful stage performance resides in:
Techniques - Awareness - Creativity.
- Techniques to master your instrument and all what consists into a strong base for a stage performance from all its point of views.
- Awareness to understand why you do what you do on stage - to be able to understand the expectations of your audience - to know your musicians very well and know what to expect from them - to be able to see the big picture for your business goals.
- Creativity to be able to truly amaze your audience. Creativity allows you to bring your personality right into your show and share in the most honest way why you do what you do with your fans.

StageMasters

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I dunno I've seen pretty people be successful and they wasn't even that talented.

Lot folks judge a band on appearances more then talent.

IMO Taylor Swift is eye candy but talent wise she's not all that.

[guido61]

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twostone wrote:

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StageMasters wrote:

The true tripod for a perfect and successful stage performance resides in:
Techniques - Awareness - Creativity.
- Techniques to master your instrument and all what consists into a strong base for a stage performance from all its point of views.
- Awareness to understand why you do what you do on stage - to be able to understand the expectations of your audience - to know your musicians very well and know what to expect from them - to be able to see the big picture for your business goals.
- Creativity to be able to truly amaze your audience. Creativity allows you to bring your personality right into your show and share in the most honest way why you do what you do with your fans.

StageMasters

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I dunno I've seen pretty people be successful and they wasn't even that talented.

Lot folks judge a band on appearances more then talent.

IMO Taylor Swift is eye candy but talent wise she's not all that.

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I dunno what comprises "all that", but I think Taylor Swift knocks it out of the part.  She started in the business as a songwriter and, as such, isn't much of singer, but neither was Carole King.   And I have no idea how much of what she does is of her own design, or that of her producers/managers, but few artists connect with their audience in the manner she is doing right now, and that's why she's so successful.

I was listening to her "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" single the other day and I was thinking how GREAT of a record that is.  She's listed as the first songwriter, followed by her two producers--so I don't know how much of it is her doing or theirs---but I think that record: from the songwriting, to the production, to the arrangement, to the vocal styling, is the perfect pop single if you're trying to sell a lot of downloads to 15 year old girls in 2013.   They nailed it on every level.

[StageMasters]

As far as we can see, the music industry is desperate now. There are the talented people who have to work really hard to make a strong career and there are the marketing products who last for a period of time and unless they get the attention of the medias one way or another will lose their credits.

From now on, the majors bet on short commercial successes that will attract attention through the "unknown-ness" of the "artist", like Psy or this one pound one fish etc...They build their fame in less than 3 months in general.

The talented people do not have any place there anymore due to the turn of events within the music industry.

CDs are not selling anymore and most of the new talented artists are betting on Live performances and online marketing. Online marketing requires marketing skills and Stage performances require artistic skills, awareness on what your audience expects from you and creativity if you want to last in this industry.

So indeed you can be successful and have no talent but if you are not into that type of success, you better go for the second option

StageMasters

[modulusman]

 I acually think Taylor is a pretty good songwriter. When I first heard that song "Mean" it stuck in my head for 3 days lol.

[guido61]

One hit wonders, gimmicky songs, the latest dance-craze, etc. have ALWAYS been a huge part of the business.

"Gangnam Style" is just the latest version of "The Hokey Pokey". Taylor Swift doing "We Are Never" is just the latest version of Lesley Gore doing "It's My Party" or Little Peggy March doing "I Will Follow Him".

Yeah, the music industry is somewhat desperate, because they don't know where the technological changes will lead everyone. But music -- and the music business -- has ALWAYS been driven by the technology. Whether that was the invention of the pipe organ, or the electric guitar, or the loudspeaker, or the phonograph, or the radio---musicians and artists have always had to adjust to the latest technology and delivery systems to get their art to the public.

Music and art won't die. Because musicians and artists won't die. The implements and media they use will constantly change, however.

[StageMasters]

I can understand that people do not like Taylor Swift but saying she has no talent would be missing it. I have watched a live video and she did incredible stage interaction with the audience, she knows how to move on stage, she is a good songwriter and she has a good voice. Someone may not like the style indeed but she's good at what she's doing.

[Nobody Told Me]

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StageMasters wrote:

I can understand that people do not like Taylor Swift but saying she has no talent would be missing it. I have watched a live video...

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Oh. Well, since you put it that way. I guess that makes you an expert.

[StageMasters]

I did not put it that way "Nobody told me". But I have indeed some expertise in Stage performance as I make a living by teaching and coaching bands, singers or musicians for stage performances. I have a passion for the subject, I always try to push the limits of what is known in that topic and developed my own experimentation in  that area. I just wrote the first volume of a trilogy about stage performances and it's coming out pretty soon to be downloaded online. 

I also won the National Dutch award for the best performance of the year together with a band in 2008 so my expertise seems to pay off somehow 

[Nobody Told Me]

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StageMasters wrote:

I did not put it that way "Nobody told me".

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Yes you did. The emphasis was mine, but the words were yours.

Don't be offended, it just struck me as rather odd. I'm not discounting your experience in the music business. Peace.

[StageMasters]

I did not feel offended but you took my words out of the context omitting a part of it.

I said I watched a video because I never hadve seen her live so I checked her out on a live video and as I said, I really understand that someone can not like her style but she knows what a stage performance is and I'm not surprised because after a research I've out that she has been trained by a live performance coach. She may not be everyone's taste but if you watch her, you see she has talent and can rock the crowd.

And indeed peace

StageMasters

[Piano Whore]

OP's "3 keys" are very vague and theoritical, and without concrete examples don't say very much at all, IMO.

[StageMasters]

True!!

I developped all that in my book but not here as it is really long.

I justed posted it for people to aware of these 3 aspects because a lot of people I meet on the road are not even aware of those. But I'm open to discuss them with who wants as it is the purpose of this forum after all

[Kramerguy]

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StageMasters wrote:

I did not put it that way "Nobody told me". But I have indeed some expertise in Stage performance as I make a living by teaching and coaching bands, singers or musicians for stage performances. I have a passion for the subject, I always try to push the limits of what is known in that topic and developed my own experimentation in  that area. I just wrote the first volume of a trilogy about stage performances and it's coming out pretty soon to be downloaded online. 

I also won the National Dutch award for the best performance of the year together with a band in 2008 so my expertise seems to pay off somehow 

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Which makes me wonder why you are hanging "backstage with the band"?

I'm guessing you are here to help us all out with infinite wisdom, or are you lulling us in for what might be an inevitible sales pitch?

Oh yeah, nice to meetcha- I'm KG, possibly the most cynical and 'get-to-the-point' member on HC, well maybe 2nd to Guido... he's more articulate than I  

[StageMasters]

I like cynism so it's fine with me

So nice to meet you Kramer. Indeed I am here to help whoever needs it.

Sales pitch will be an arguable comment when my book will be dowloadable which is not the case yet

So i'm here to share and help with all I can but unless you have a question for me, I won't be able to help you

If you have questions, please go ahead and I'll be happy to help you as I can.

By he way my thing is sarcasm but I really like cynism as well

StageMasters

[jeff42]

There is a ton of wisdom and advice to be had on this board from many of the members. Many I see as on the same level as me and my band, some not doing as well some doing WAY BETTER. There is a nice cross section of players from all walks of life and different musical backgrounds on this board and I like that.

I (along with many) visit and post almost daily. The advice/opinions of many here does not go unnoticed as far as I am concerned. I use what I feel is relevant to my situation. Even if its not advice its usually decent conversation about playing in a cover band/ bar band.

So I welcome u and look forward to what you can add.... As far as a sales pitch for your book... nah, not interested. 

[StageMasters]

As I said in my previous post, talking about sales pitch is kind of funny as even if you wanted to buy my book you could not. Not on sale yet

You all seem to be great guys wanting to learn stuff but you seem also too busy on finding sales pitch that don't exist!! You do not have to buy something you are not interested in No one asks you to do that

My post was meant to get people to be aware of the elements that makes a performance successful not to make a revelation. Some years ago, I was still thinking that there were good audiences and bad ones. But by digging into key 2 "awareness", I discovered I was wrong and that it is to the artists to adapt to different types of audiences by being aware of their expectations. It took me some years to try to identify all the types of audiences I could find and to be able to match the expectations in order to get the right response from them.

If you want to know more about it just ask! I post things Which "I" think relevant as a coach but you take what you want from it. If the topics about Stage presence and stage performance interest you, I'm glad to talk about it and read all the point of views. I like to be challenged into my passion as it is what brought me forward to discover new things

StageMasters

[guido61]

I don't have a big problem with the vagueness in the OP because I agree that all of those things are necessary elements to success, and I also understand that the "specifics" would be as varied as there are bands/performers.

The first step is to understand the broad concepts outlined in the OP. And for those who read those and think "duh!"---great. But you'd be surprised how many people really don't get it. Or think they are doing those things but really are not.

The second step is figuring out how to apply them to your specific situation. That's the most difficult part and the most challenging to convey in a format such as this forum. The best that can be done, in my experience, is learn by example. To whatever degree my band has found success in those areas it's been due to putting in the time and effort to look at what other successful bands have done and carefully evaluate which things would and would not work for my band and/or what changes and tweeks would be needed to made so they could be applied most effectively.

I think the OP started off on the right point. Rather than come in and tell people "you need to do A, B and C" he's laying out the broad principles and then putting the ball in YOUR court.

No one can know what will or will not work for your specific band. Especially without discussing YOUR specific needs. So I think the next point of the discussion should be brought up by those who feel they have specific needs that could be addressed.

[guido61]

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My post was meant to get people to be aware of the elements that makes a performance successful not to make a revelation. Some years ago, I was still thinking that there were good audiences and bad ones. But by digging into key 2 "awareness", I discovered I was wrong and that it is to the artists to adapt to different types of audiences by being aware of their expectations. It took me some years to try to identify all the types of audiences I could find and to be able to match the expectations in order to get the right response from them.

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This is so true.  My band is in the position of playing for a completely different and new audience every performance.  We're not a "following" type of band.  So being able to read the audience has been key.  We too, used to blame bad nights on bad audiences.   But since we've gotten better at being able to read the crowds and make the necessary adjustments we, surprise! surprise!, no longer HAVE any bad audiences.  DIFFICULT audiences?  Yes.   Gigs where, like a football team down 17 points in the first quarter and will call a time out to regroup and change up the game plan?  Yes.  Times when we thought "wow, THIS might be the audience we can't win over?"  Yes.   But we always seem to manage to "win the game" by the end of the gig.  Sometimes with a last-minute field goal.

For us, it's a combination of having a broad enough setlist that if we feel the audience responding to a certain type of material, we can adjust the setlist on the fly to accomodate that and having developed a number of sure-fire "show" pieces in the set that we know if we pull that out, we're going to get a certain response and knowing when and where to go to those numbers.

[StageMasters]

And when we understand that we are controlling where we bring our audience, we realize we can't fail anymore whatever audience we are going to be facing!! I even experimented (against my will) a situation where I was playing with a band and the energy was down, the audience was not interested in us and the situation looked pretty bad. From there, I thought I had 2 solutions: Either let the low energy of the band bring me down or see if the situation could get reversed. The good news is that it's never too late unless you already emptied the venue of course!! At any time you can gain back the interest of you listeners and turn them into a receptive crowd. To do so, you have to work your skills at engaging the crowd and a must is know how to use unpredictability on stage. Surprising people can shift their mood entirely and turn the situation into your advantage. Of course, when it comes to have to reverse a situation, it also means a lot of time and opportunities are lost. Ideally it should never have to come to this by simply controlling the dynamics and the climaxes of your show from your entrance until you leave the stage!!

StageMasters