Fronting a band and communicating with your audience when you are on stage is an integral part of any show and like everything in life, the more you practice and plan the better you will become. But just how do the professionals do it?
Most artists know exactly what they are going to say at what point of every show, like they know every move of the choreography. Singers and bands soon learn that making things up as you go along is awkward and unhelpful to whoever starts the next song.
When you are planning what you want to say, here are some helpful tips on the do’s and dont’s of talking to your crowd…
1. Don’t feel you need to talk in between every song. It will kill the vibe and energy. Instead pick a few areas of the set where you need to talk, either to get a point across or to fill the silence over a guitar change etc.
2. Always start the gig by introducing the band, this is better done over a start of a song before the lyrics come in instead of silence.
3. Before you decide what you want to say, decide on what points you want to get across.. An introduction, your website & social media, your new single is out, the band is taking a half hour break or thank you’s are all important.
4. If you have nothing to say, then make sure you move from to song to song swiftly so there is no awkward silence.. A great drummer will know the exact gap length between a song by reading the crowds reactions. Usually a few seconds is enough in between tracks.
5. Talking into a microphone over a PA system comes across as conversational and mumbling so when you have decided what you want to say, make it a statement. ‘We are Itchy Ballsack, We are from Grimsby, Let’s make this a night to remember!’
6. Do not have a conversation with one person in the audience over a microphone. This is pub territory and for everyone else in the venue they have no idea what’s going on. The same for hecklers, ignore them and they will go away, don’t fuel their fire by engaging them unless you are Jimmy Carr.
7. Thank you’s can go along way. Towards the end of your gig, thank everyone for coming and for an amazing night, regardless of whether it was a show to remember or a gig to forget.
8. Steer clear of in-jokes. If you have decided to rename your drummer ‘herpes’ after a night with a howling pig of a woman, keep it to the tour bus. Anything that the audience won’t understand without explanation is probably best left unsaid.
9. Don’t apologise for small details. You may have a sore throat or have messed up your lyrics. These things happen but apologising on stage for minor details shows lack of experience. Laugh it off and move on.
10. Lastly whatever you say, say it with conviction and a smile. If you sound like you are enjoying yourself, everyone else will relax and enjoy the night too. This ‘social proofing’ technique is a great way of getting your audience excited.
If you are nervous about talking to the crowd then plan it as much as you can and face your fear by talking more at your next gig. To front a band you don’t need to be a comedian, just sincere.
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