How To Make Live Music Performances More Exciting

 

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Every musician wants to put on a live performance that people will remember. But just what are some of the things you can do to truly elevate your performances? Below are just a few tips for musicians wanting to up their game.

Work on your stage presence

It’s important that you look comfortable on stage and that your energy reflects the way you want your crowd to feel. If you’re playing something upbeat that’s designed to get people moving, this means that you need to be prepared to move yourself. If you’re not sitting down while performing, learn to use as much of the stage as you can so that you’re not just standing in one spot. If you’re worried about looking awkward, try practicing some moves in front of a mirror. Don’t be afraid to make it too eccentric - this is often what makes musicians stand out.

Know how to interact with the crowd

Interacting with the crowd is important, but you need to be able to read the room. There are some events where you can encourage the crowd to clap along or sing back lines, but there are other events where this could come across as annoying (such as doing it at a seated event while people are eating). Planning a few small quips between songs may be all that’s necessary to warm people to you.

Learn to improvise

While there are some songs you’ll want to perform in a certain way, there are other moments where it could be fun to improvise. Improvisation can make each performance unique - which could be important for your most loyal fans. Of course, to improvise well, you need to really know your songs and have good chemistry with any fellow bandmates.

Play around with gadgets

Using technology, you can transform your live performances in all kinds of exciting ways. Pedals as manufactured by companies like Singular Sound can allow you to play with different effects. This could include loop pedals or reverb pedals or distortion pedals. You could also consider playing around with microphone setups and lighting.

Curate the perfect setlist

Having a well-paced setlist is also important. This usually includes starting and ending with your most popular and hard-hitting songs, while avoiding a lull in the middle. If you don’t have enough original material, consider learning some covers. Make sure to practise setlists in advance. Check out this guide at Tunecore for more tips on creating the perfect setlist.

Dress unique

Finally, consider what you are wearing. A unique outfit will make you and your performance all the more memorable. Try to find a look that matches the tone of your music. If you play as part of a band, you may want to all dress in a similar away - or you could all dress completely differently for a sense of contrast.