This sounds like a description of human pop music from a space alien- version of David Attenborough..
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Does your band actively work on your visual show?
- Thread starter ChrisB2
- Start date
This sounds like a description of human pop music from a space alien- version of David Attenborough..
I think its not only very important to be visual but also if there is another band before or after you to be in the crowd showing them support. My band doesn't work on stage presence but we talk about ideas and where to come in with certain things such as jumping in unison. Now this is a Pop punk/ Post hardcore band. so situations may be different. When I go to a bar and watch a live band and they don't look happy or having fun I'm going to avoid coming back if I see they are playing, unless I cant remember their name because they didn't spark interest.
Last weekend I was at a bar and the Bassist was sitting in a chair and the singer was pacing back and forth with one hand in his pocket. They looked so half A$$ed.
My band believes that we are there to no only play music but to get people out of their shells make them have fun and just jump and sing. Who is going to get into the music if you yourself don't believe what you are selling.
The only thing I wish my band did better was talking to the crowd, I feel like we lack that aspect of the performance right now.
Last weekend I was at a bar and the Bassist was sitting in a chair and the singer was pacing back and forth with one hand in his pocket. They looked so half A$$ed.
My band believes that we are there to no only play music but to get people out of their shells make them have fun and just jump and sing. Who is going to get into the music if you yourself don't believe what you are selling.
The only thing I wish my band did better was talking to the crowd, I feel like we lack that aspect of the performance right now.
Yeah, people with very small ears have that problem. The hat keeps sliding down and covering their eyes.
We have invested in a complete light truss with spots, led dancing lights, hazer, and multi axis lights that spot and throw patterns where we want. They are all controlled from a dmx board that our second drummer will hit on important 1's. Having this has made an impact because having this makes it a bigger and better show.
That's money well spent. You guys look great.
Blue
Our rhythm guitarist just loves to get out on the dance floor and dance around wirelessly with the young ladies - Alot. Always very well received. Me, not so much, mostly hang out in back by my amp. Whatahyahwant? I'm pushing 60.....
- Sep 4, 2010
- 3,304
- 2,730
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: Martin Keith Guitars
It is a good thing to think about, in my case of the music being deemed 'abstract' to people's ears, and a bit of dressing up could help them with appreciating the music without me having to 'explain' it afterwards.
I am experimenting with a pair of short-throw projectors to spread visuals across the (typically very small) rooms I play.
I do like to move around when I play, I like it and it works for me. I also wear a Thin Lizzy tee on every gig as a good luck charm, and as something to have people remember me by (such as large frames helped define Elvis Costello for a long time, for example). The black of the T contrasts very well with my blank maple fretless or capri orange frankenjazz, and it's kinda funny to have people look puzzled at a pretentiously serious underground jazz gig. Even better is to have someone you wouldn't expect it from in a million years come out of the woodwork as a serious Phil Lynott fan.
I am experimenting with a pair of short-throw projectors to spread visuals across the (typically very small) rooms I play.
I do like to move around when I play, I like it and it works for me. I also wear a Thin Lizzy tee on every gig as a good luck charm, and as something to have people remember me by (such as large frames helped define Elvis Costello for a long time, for example). The black of the T contrasts very well with my blank maple fretless or capri orange frankenjazz, and it's kinda funny to have people look puzzled at a pretentiously serious underground jazz gig. Even better is to have someone you wouldn't expect it from in a million years come out of the woodwork as a serious Phil Lynott fan.
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
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- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
My band has period-and-genre-correct outfits to wear (it's a New Wave band), complete with me sporting the "Whip-It" video look. We've got a checkered pattern across our cabs and the kick drum (the name of the band is Checker'd Past). This year we started playing much larger stages and so we're plotting our set design and pricing out TV screens, movers, etc. The visual show is important to us, we want the audience to feel like they've just been to a much larger concert than they actually attended 
Our stage setup from a gig a few months back in Holtville, CA.
Our stage setup from a gig a few months back in Holtville, CA.
my band tries with what resources we have. we cannot afford a decent light system, and if we could, it probably would not fit in the venues we play. we have been told, despite the lack of props, that we have a powerful stage presence however. we practice being locked in tight. when we are all together, especially during songs with lots of changes, between songs with no communication, and during on the spot jams, people really notice. we get that by practicing the music. we are an original rock/jam band, so our attire does not matter much. I go for whats most comfortable (shorts, no shirt, and comfy shoes and BRAND NEW SOCKS 
). we have two lead singers and they put me front (even though i only do backing vocals on a few songs). I think just lining up that way grabs peoples attention. no, the band is not "about me", or "supporting me" ... but the lineup says "we really appreciate BASS" and "we took our time selecting a bassist, not just somebody to stand in the back and hit root notes." i really appreciate the guys for that, and it speaks volumes to the crowd (at least the jam band crowd). and its symmetrical
). we have two lead singers and they put me front (even though i only do backing vocals on a few songs). I think just lining up that way grabs peoples attention. no, the band is not "about me", or "supporting me" ... but the lineup says "we really appreciate BASS" and "we took our time selecting a bassist, not just somebody to stand in the back and hit root notes." i really appreciate the guys for that, and it speaks volumes to the crowd (at least the jam band crowd). and its symmetrical my band tries with what resources we have. we cannot afford a decent light system, and if we could, it probably would not fit in the venues we play. we have been told, despite the lack of props, that we have a powerful stage presence however. we practice being locked in tight. when we are all together, especially during songs with lots of changes, between songs with no communication, and during on the spot jams, people really notice. we get that by practicing the music. we are an original rock/jam band, so our attire does not matter much. I go for whats most comfortable (shorts, no shirt, and comfy shoes and BRAND NEW SOCKS
Sounds like what your doing works for your band and that's all that matters.
As for atire, for young guys in shape it's not that much of an issue.
Blue
- Apr 1, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
This is a perfect example. Any band could afford to do something as simple as this and it makes a world of difference. People will remember your shows for this reason, and if you play well on top of that...
