Making a gig more interesting

[Gbass75]

Your first step to having a successful and awesome gig in San Francisco is to not call it San Fran. Not here, not anywhere. Break the habit now so you won't do it accidentally later.

As a San Franciscan, I can tell you, we are very particular. If you lower heaven and raise hell you will hear the sound of crickets from the audience if you call it San Fran.

The City, San Fran Effing Cisco or (marginally), Ess Eff are all fair game. San Fran or Frisco make you sound like you are trying too hard to be cool. We hate that.

Other than that, have the time of your life and let the audience know it. Practice your live moves in front of a mirror.

As a former San Franciscan (now in the East Bay -- WOOT! WOOT!), I can confirm Deep Cat's words of wisdom...

Call the city "San Fran," and you will feel NO LOVE.

You are doubly warned!!!

;-)

 

[eriky4003]

You say your guitarist keeps in place most of the night. Make sure, at the very least, he/she makes eye contact with the audience most of the night. I've seen bands watching their fingers play on their fretboards which I thought wasn't great stage presence. I'm assuming you're okay with eye contact and crowd engagement. If so, your gig should go well.

 

[Broadstbully22]

The most interesting thing I've ever seen was a cover band in south Carolina. Can't remember the name but their first three sets were great and kinda normal. Their fourth set they came in stage and told the crowd that they would play song anyone yelled out. If you stumped them they would pay your bar tab, if they played it you had to put $20 in their tip jar. Everyone was trying to stump them and yelled out everything from freebird to purple rain to Justin Timberlake to pantera. They didn't pay anyone's bar tab. I was floored the amount of talent and balls it took to do this. Will remember that night till the day I die