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image and charisma
- Thread starter sonic boogaloo
- Start date
I’m 73…not much left to work with. lol.
Depends on the band and one’s role in it.
I’ve experienced people with massive charisma who were physically unattractive. It’s intangible as all day.
Image is cultivated. I played in higher energy original bands so I would dress appropriately and perform with confidence and movement to naturally punctuate the musical events.
Offstage, being approachable and attentive to fans etc.
I worked with a guy for a few too many years that wrote good songs, sang well and was very good looking but was a dud with people. It didn’t work.
I was in a band with my wife that was coached by our publicist before a tour to keep our relationship on the DL at shows and allow fans to be interested in us if they wanted (obviously to reasonable limits).
We would work opposite sides of the venue after gigs. All the guys in one of the other bands we did a series of shows with were following her around so they were politely informed!
I’ve experienced people with massive charisma who were physically unattractive. It’s intangible as all day.
Image is cultivated. I played in higher energy original bands so I would dress appropriately and perform with confidence and movement to naturally punctuate the musical events.
Offstage, being approachable and attentive to fans etc.
I worked with a guy for a few too many years that wrote good songs, sang well and was very good looking but was a dud with people. It didn’t work.
I was in a band with my wife that was coached by our publicist before a tour to keep our relationship on the DL at shows and allow fans to be interested in us if they wanted (obviously to reasonable limits).
We would work opposite sides of the venue after gigs. All the guys in one of the other bands we did a series of shows with were following her around so they were politely informed!
Image is everything. And charisma comes from the confidence that stems from taking the time to be thoughtful about how you present yourself.
That’s why I invest in the best cargo shorts, dark socks and the nicest Birkenstocks I can find!
That’s why I invest in the best cargo shorts, dark socks and the nicest Birkenstocks I can find!
If American Idol has taught us anything, Its that image is at least as important as talent.
I try to be entertaining on stage and dress appropriate to the venue. We're a bar/festival/party band so I try to move around, engage with the audience, and interact with other band members.
I'm the only member of a five person cover band who doesn't sing (except for occasional backing vocals) so I have more freedom to move around than the other musicians. I think it's important to be entertaining on stage but I try to stay true to my personality because I think people can tell when you're faking it.
I'm the only member of a five person cover band who doesn't sing (except for occasional backing vocals) so I have more freedom to move around than the other musicians. I think it's important to be entertaining on stage but I try to stay true to my personality because I think people can tell when you're faking it.
Look, sound, performance are all important. Its got to be the whole package. Even grunge had a "look" to match the sound.
For regular bar gigs in our suburban area, I stick with a t shirt and jeans, sometimes with a shirt or flannel over top. If it's a more upscale bar/restaurant/venue, I will go with a nice dress shirt, pants, and jacket. If it's a festival or one of the beach bars we play, I will wear something more fun/colorful.
I never wear shorts when I play a show. I just don't like that look on me. Footwear is either skate shoes or Doc Martens.
In a recent main band the female front was hot, like people stopped and looked again. Good vocalist. Could not hold a crowd after the first impression, just no charisma.
My 75 year old scruffy friend could probably get people to stop and sit for a few songs in the middle of a forest fire. He's a magnet.
My dogs seem to like me a lot, but beyond that I fall in the middle most days. Had a fair amount of theater training when I was younger, so I approach stage time as a role. I'm the cool bassist, dammit.
My 75 year old scruffy friend could probably get people to stop and sit for a few songs in the middle of a forest fire. He's a magnet.
My dogs seem to like me a lot, but beyond that I fall in the middle most days. Had a fair amount of theater training when I was younger, so I approach stage time as a role. I'm the cool bassist, dammit.
I focus on what I need to do as a performer, instrumentalist, singer, as well as a bandmate, PR agent for the band, live music in general and even as an ambassador of sorts to build/maintain a good performer/audience vibe for the venue, on AND off stage. I try to dress appropriately to both the general band vibe and in line with temperature.
I have a LOT to think about and do from the moment I step into the club until I say my last "goodbye". For better or worse, "charisma" and/or "image" are generally among the things I might consciously and proactively think about the LEAST, if I think about them at all beyond what I've already said.
The Grateful Dead did pretty well wearing shorts at most of their gigs.
IMHO charisma is like many other traits; some of it is innate and some of it is learned. How much of it you can learn depends on how much natural ability you have. I have seen people transition from being shy, stick in the mud types to the type of person who lights up the room.
Charisma can also be broken down into different mediums such as verbal and visual. Verbal charisma is knowing the right thing to say and is also impacted by delivery. Visual charisma relates to appearing friendly and likeable. IMHO visual charisma can be faked/mimed to some extent on the bandstand by simply smiling and acting as if your having good time (Assuming that is the fantasy your selling to your audience).
IMHO, probably a lot more charisma is faked than you are probably aware of. On occasion I have found myself at the home of some people that I considered extremely charismatic. In their home environment, they seemed every bit as dull an boring as I consider myself to be. Charisma is something they sort of turn on when they are in public. I am not necessarily certain they are completely aware of doing it. But IMHO charisma seems to be somewhat of a facade that they may wear or take off, depending on the situation.
IMHO image is about meeting the specific expectations of a certain scene; I.E. certain looks and behaviors. A look that is desirable in one seen may be inappropriate in another seen. Behavior that is seen as charismatic in one scene could be a turn off in another scene.
I am fairly introverted, but I can put on a costume and/or play a role on stage. AFAIK, a lot of performers are introverted.
Turnaround
Commercial User
The best advice I've seen posted here is "dress in a way that respects the music"
context once again matters
context once again matters
Bare feel are not advised when drunks are nearby. I advise flip-flops at minimum.
Man, I don’t miss playing the bar scene one bit.
