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Cool things to say between songs
- Thread starter mru2
- Start date
This doesn't surprise me. I have heard a lot of "I met John Mellencamp" stories, and none of them paint him very favorably at all.
Ask the audience where the restroom is, then before anyone can answer say "Uh-ohhhh" and start the next song.
MR-
The most successful bands I've ever been in had someone who connected with the crowd and really engaged them. But if there was some sure-fire patter or something clever to say, everybody would be saying it.
Until you've got some experience, you might be better off just playing and quick 'thank you' to acknowledge any response that you might get.
The most successful bands I've ever been in had someone who connected with the crowd and really engaged them. But if there was some sure-fire patter or something clever to say, everybody would be saying it.
Until you've got some experience, you might be better off just playing and quick 'thank you' to acknowledge any response that you might get.
+1000
I really *hate* it when I hear "and on bass..." - and the forced applause...
I know singers feel they must do this - hell, when I fronted an instrumental band, *I* did it, but I changed everyone's name every gig. I used to introduce the drummer as a expat from somewhere behind the iron curtain where people don't bathe...
Yeah, intros suck.
ooooooooooooo I don't like the intro thingie...... I always feel like I'm supposed to do something "cool" at that point. Not to mention my ears always turn red LOL.
Great point about the us and them. A friend of mine has a cover band that does the joking banter between songs...... used to drive me nuts to go see. Then I realized if I wasn't so impatient to hear the next song that it's actually funny. They played the same house gig for almost 3 years (loooong time around here) so it obviously worked.
On the other side of the coin, I saw a local band whos singer was getting mad at the crowd because they weren't dancing and was making comments, which sure wasn't getting the crowd off their seats. (Part of the reason the crowd wasn't dancing was it was COLD outside that night and everyone was hanging around the heaters). Oh, and never ever announce to the crowd/waitstaff that one of the band members wants a beer. Sorry, that was poor taste. Go get it on your break.....and don't beg.
Wish there was a secret-some can do it,some can't.... I'll just play bass :0
Great point about the us and them. A friend of mine has a cover band that does the joking banter between songs...... used to drive me nuts to go see. Then I realized if I wasn't so impatient to hear the next song that it's actually funny. They played the same house gig for almost 3 years (loooong time around here) so it obviously worked.
On the other side of the coin, I saw a local band whos singer was getting mad at the crowd because they weren't dancing and was making comments, which sure wasn't getting the crowd off their seats. (Part of the reason the crowd wasn't dancing was it was COLD outside that night and everyone was hanging around the heaters). Oh, and never ever announce to the crowd/waitstaff that one of the band members wants a beer. Sorry, that was poor taste. Go get it on your break.....and don't beg.
Wish there was a secret-some can do it,some can't.... I'll just play bass :0
Waste of gig monies.
I picked up a trick from my stage parody and vaudeville days - supply stale popcorn to the audience and let them throw it at performers who leave the stage.
Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters is great at working a crowd, too. We saw them in an audience of about 20 thousand and every time he told a story (and he's got some good ones), he has us all enthralled. Quite an entertainer. For a bar gig, though, I'd stick to to a few quick one-liners and get to the next song as quickly as possible.
Some guys have the gift, and can work a crowd. Not sure how they get there without starting somewhere.
Sometimes it works, and the crowd responds. Sometimes it doesn't. Have to be flexible, same stuff doesn't work all the time.
Guess you have to have the soul of a stand up comic to make it work.
Randy
Sometimes it works, and the crowd responds. Sometimes it doesn't. Have to be flexible, same stuff doesn't work all the time.
Guess you have to have the soul of a stand up comic to make it work.
Randy
So we got a gig at a local sports bar coming up playing classic rock, blues, etc. It's a first for at least two of these guys and I'm thinkin' "deer in the headlights" syndrome might be in effect. Looks like it might be up to me to keep some kind of a flow goin' with the crowd. Lookin' for suggestions on some cool things to say other than, "the drunker you get, the better we sound" type stuff.
Try using magicians force, this ones good for retuning/alternate tuning and you need to cover some 'dead time' Just ask the crowd what song they want to hear by whatever band your covering next. We called for Rush tunes, it's inevitable someone will yell 2112. So when someone yells out out the only tune you know, you'll be retuned and ready. You point to the dude/dudette and say this ones for you. If the crowds a goer you've got a least 5 minutes where you have to do practically nothing except look like your considering what their yelling. Great time filler and allows everyone in the band time to relax
playing live is like hitting on a good looking woman..
the only things you should say should be genuinely funny (either spontanious or a very very short funny annecdote) or should be one liners people can't help but agree with (words for a local sports team, thank the venue, tip your servers, etc etc)....
but no matter what you say in either situation (talking to crowd or woman) never say too much
the only things you should say should be genuinely funny (either spontanious or a very very short funny annecdote) or should be one liners people can't help but agree with (words for a local sports team, thank the venue, tip your servers, etc etc)....
but no matter what you say in either situation (talking to crowd or woman) never say too much
Message for all of you whipped guys out there.....it is the MEN'S ROOM..... leave the seat UP dammit!
Saying nothing is what a juke box does. There is nothing more boring than to see a band that looks at thier feet all night and not relate to the crowd. The club wants you the entertain and sell drinks/food If there are drink specials say so. This will come in handy if a sponser is on site. If sales go well they may request you for more money or other gigs. Remember its show+BUSINESS! Promote your website to help build a fan list or promote your originals or even get suggestions. As well as to be able to show other club owners how many follow your band, feature your originals. "If you want to know more about us got to Yahoo and search for "band name""...moving righ along (next song) Take pictures of the audience from stage. It gets the crowd going and usually will result in a naked breast or two but not always female though! Unless you are a Punk band don't antagonize the crowd by throwing out a lot of F bombs and being rude... F bombs don't make you cool! and insulting other band members really aint cool!.
Saying nothing is what a juke box does. There is nothing more boring than to see a band that looks at thier feet all night and not relate to the crowd. The club wants you the entertain and sell drinks/food If there are drink specials say so. This will come in handy if a sponser is on site. If sales go well they may request you for more money or other gigs. Remember its show+BUSINESS! Promote your website to help build a fan list or promote your originals or even get suggestions. As well as to be able to show other club owners how many follow your band, feature your originals. "If you want to know more about us got to Yahoo and search for "band name""...moving righ along (next song) Take pictures of the audience from stage. It gets the crowd going and usually will result in a naked breast or two but not always female though! Unless you are a Punk band don't antagonize the crowd by throwing out a lot of F bombs and being rude... F bombs don't make you cool! and insulting other band members really aint cool!.
