Comments on: Making Each Show a Little Different

By: Dave - The Soggy Flats

Dave - The Soggy Flats — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:13:47 +0000

I like these alot, i just want to add mine too!

kinda like phil samone said. I know alot of dudes wear girls pants these days, as i do…but i wear bright red ones or green or yellow. you would be surprised it gets quite the buzz. or you could hand out a bunch of drum sticks before your show, and tell everyone to hit them together during a certain song. (its all about engageing the audience)

By: Dannette

Dannette — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:28:30 +0000

Thanks for the ideas. Im excited already.

By: Debbi Verbz

Debbi Verbz — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:38:35 +0000

WOW!!! Useful tips. Thanks.

By: Phil Salamone

Phil Salamone — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:44:50 +0000

We are entertainers not just musicians . Using props or staging theatrics into a show is another way of adding a bit of difference to your show. If in a band, you may want to take a break from the electric guitar and inject a couple of acoustic numbers into a set. Wether it being the whole band or maybe just the front man . Another thing i’ve noticed that seems to be a trend now is dress or lack of it. All too many times is ee a band on stage dressed like they just got out of work. Remember, you are an entertainer. Part of that is giving your audience something to look at. Try a theme in dress or ware something no ordinary person would ware. You dont have to be so odd that you look like a clown just different but cool. Set a trend ? It all comes back to this , entertain your audience.

By: Miranda HQ

Miranda HQ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:04:57 +0000

I’m relieved to read to NYC is as hard as London when it comes to pulling the crowds (or even the few friends!)
Love Sue Fink’s comments.. very creative!
Thank you so much for these ideas…
What about point collection/loyalty system? The more gig you attend to the more gifts from the band.. Seems to work for some coffee chains and supermarkets!

By: Sue Fink

Sue Fink — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:01:59 +0000

I’m a solo artist, so there’s a bunch of things I do to “shake it up” a bit:
- Play with different people. Sometimes I have a great guitar-player friend back me up; sometimes I have a friend add harmonies; sometimes I split my show with another singer/songwriter and we play/sing a bit on each other’s songs. It’s a great way to introduce new musicians to your friends/fans, and to let them know they’re going to hear something a bit different than last time.

- mini-”themes”: sometimes I plan a show to emphasize my story-songs, or character-songs; sometimes I say “mostly new” songs; sometimes a “request” show; etc. I put this info on my mailers or e-mail announcements.

I think switching it up is definitely helpful if you’re playing to mostly the same audience. You want to motivate them to keep coming, and to hopefully bring a few friends!

By: magic man

magic man — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:59:59 +0000

pot brownies always work. allot of bands out there have done it, and it always brings a crowd. Just beware of the law.