Showmanship..... and other stuff.

[Derock85z]

So I have my first show with my new band next weekend. Its a local battle of the country bands, which is actually more modern country rock/ southern rock than anything else. We will do a 4 song stint (very short I know but It's not up to me, obviously.) The last two songs will be judged, and one has to be an original. A rather large portion of the scoring will be on showmanship and working the crowd.

Now I try to be entertaining on stage. I play the bass behind my head, with my teeth, I let the cute blonde in front pluck the string while I fret the note. I interact with the crowd (and the rest of the band) as much as possible. I'm just wondering how I can get the crowd worked up with only 4 songs?

So my question to you, the all mighty TalkBass community, is how do you work the crowd? I'm looking for new ideas for this show, and my other endeavors. So whatcha got in your big bag O'tricks for the hot blonde in the front row?

[Munjibunga]

[knigel]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I wonder if the finish matches the headstock?

[behndy]

hardwood floors.

you KNOW Flea is all about a Scorched Earth Genital Foliage policy.

[Ubersheist]

As for working the crowd, be really, really into your music. If you're energetic and obviously passionate, it'll always come through. Also think about getting eye contact with everyone, not just the hot blonde. And SMILE. Smiling is the easiest, cheapest way to connect with a crowd.

Otherwise, gimmicks work. Really. It'll really set you apart from the crowd. Have everyone dress the same or somehow different then everyone else. Depending on your band, that may be a bit more limiting then if you were a rock band or another genre, but not necessarily. I remember Graham Parsons used to dress his whole band in those Nudie Suits (crazy pseudo psychedelic suits from the 1960s), for example. Also, anything you can pass out to the crowd is good. For example, there are companies make fortune cookies with custom messages in them.

[groove pump]

Mardi gras beads are sold at party stores for cheap and it always gets fun when you pull those out for distribution.

[DRafalske]

Have a wireless? Get out and cut a rug with the crowd.

[6jase5]

Have a moment where the only one playing is the drummer hitting the kick only and you guys get the crowd clapping along with your hands clapping above your head. Then break back into craziness for the end of the song in doubletime.

Cheesy..sure...but it works.

[behndy]

....... Genitorture used to bring somebody on stage, strap them to a wooden restraint and do genital piercings on them during their show.

[SevenJacks]

...oh man I have so much left to learn...

[fhm555]

If you only have four songs they should be the four most up tempo songs you do.

Don't just walk up and start, take the stage by storm, own it for four songs, and leave them so wound up they forget any band who played before you and any group which follows will be a let down.

With such a short set you really don't want to be distracting the crowd with a bunch of goof from the whole band. Big smiles and eye contact while you deliver a smoking four song set is plenty for the back line. Concentrate on selling the music and let the front(s) take care of working the crowd.

The crowd needs to be engaged no doubt, but with such a short set, tight and in your face music from people having fun making it will leave the strongest favorable impression.