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I believe that being a great musician and being a great showman are compatible subjects...
Does anybody remember Jaco's attitude on stage? Richard Bona is a very fun guy on stage too.. Billy Sheehan...
I think there are people in the crowd that can tell the difference. I don't know that they are a majority or vocal, but they exist. I think it also depends on the venue/gig/genre. I just started playing agin in a cover band. We are pretty particular about covering tunes as close as we can but still being ourselves. We know that we probably don't have to be as tight as we strive to be, but we do it for ourselves. That said, the thing that has kept us from being really popular and getting the "good" gigs is our lack of show. I am not a showman at all. I am also the oldest person on stage by a decade. I really try to blend into the background as possible. I don't know that we will ever be "that" band that has an amazing show. We try to engage the audience. We have lights. We have a really good mix/sound. We're getting gigs and many comments we get are related to our sound - the actual sound/mix and the level to which the songs were covered. not many comments on the "show" as we don't really have one. Work in progress.
It's all about keeping the audience occupied. Keep them entertained and keep them coming back!!!
I voted for "a balance". If the audience is relatively disengaged (e.g., politely clapping but no one dancing) it feels like work. When people are into it and bouncing around the dance floor it feels like fun. We've spent a few years trying to figure out where the intersection is in the Venn diagram of (#1 this is fun/interesting for us to play) and (#2 this is much less interesting to play but rarely fails to get the audience up and dancing). IME, once they're up it seems they'll stay up even for many tunes in the #1 category.
FWIW, as a former college DJ (and Program Director for that radio station for 3 yrs) DEAD AIR drives me nuts. We only stop long enough between songs for folks to swap out instruments and we take pains to devise set lists that allow that swapping to happen with minimal "dead air". So, like the OP, I'd be PO'd if a band played 4 songs in an hour (unless one of them was "Echos" followed by "Perpetual Change")
....that band that wrote Echos - do they need a big show to get their music across? No. Do they put on a big show? Yes, the biggest there is (or was).
I think a balance is important if you want to get good gigs, details depend on what kind of band it is. I think for a commercially successful band entertainment is more important that excellent musicianship. This is the main reason why I bring my NS design to gigs - playing this bass, especially with bow, has a certain "whats that?" effect that I hope sets us a but apart from other bands and gives the audience an experience.
Personally, I think it's musician arrogance to think that they can't tell. It's painting with a very broad brush to say they can't tell, and I know for a fact that many of them can.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Some people can absolutely tell if you are playing well or if you are not. Some people are there to drink and dance. Playing for both never hurts. If you play well, the first kind of audience member will notice. If you put on a good show, the second kind of audience member will have a good time and buy beer. And everyone will be happy.
The whole thing about cracking jokes and making it like a frat party as described in the OP isn't either one. One of the toughest things for some bands to master is getting the next song started with no downtime. That should always be a goal when you play for an audience. It's not standup comedy fer chrissakes. It's music.
The whole thing about cracking jokes and making it like a frat party as described in the OP isn't either one. One of the toughest things for some bands to master is getting the next song started with no downtime. That should always be a goal when you play for an audience. It's not standup comedy fer chrissakes. It's music.
I think it's a good thing to have a little sense of humor when fronting a band, but a little goes a very long way, especially if the front person isn't funny. But yeah, definitely no 5 minute monologues. And I also don't care for racist humor, either. No reason to invite major controversy on yourself.
This is a very good topic and important to think about if you ever plan on being part of an successful band. Not surprised by any of the answers. It truly is a balance and musicians do look for more musicianship than entertainment. The general public wants both. Your music has to suit your target audience. Should be well rehearsed and the band should have the ability to execute. Vocals are the most important. You should dress better than the average person in the audience (shows respect). Equally important is the ability to entertain. That doesn’t mean be a comedy show with some music. Balance... Learn how to connect with the audience with some dialogue, eye contact, confidence, eliminate dead space between songs, etc. Thinking about how you can entertain an audience is not aand thing right? It won’t make you less of a musician. Right? Read through this thread again. Pay attention to what gets repeat gigs. I’d rather have folks say they had a great time over they were great musicians any day of the week.Example
Here’s a picture from a gig I had this past Friday night with a new band. My 1st gig with them. Midway through the 1st set I took off and walked the tables, sat at a few tables, danced on the floor with dancers, stood next to folks at the bar. All while playing the set. Didn’t tell jokes, just brought the show through that magically glass wall between us and the audience. It just let people know we were there for them. And it was fun!
I think if the audience wanted an evening of jokes requiring their undivided attention they would go to a comedy club. I am a big believer in "stage presence" but people that go somewhere to see a band want to listen to music played well. Some want lay back music to enjoy dinner and a quiet conversation or good dance music to meet someone. There is a time and a place for a "show group" with a polished and rehearsed presentation. It requires the audience give there undivided attention. You better be good or you will loose em real quick.
My Motto..."I may be wrong but I Always have an opinion "
My Motto..."I may be wrong but I Always have an opinion "
Yep. Esperanza Spaulding, Loreena McKennitt, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Snarky Puppy, and a host of other bands and artists all put on good shows without any sideshow nonsense and make it all worth your time and money to go hear them.
Their focus is on the music, and their “show” is just them being themselves as well as superb musicians. And they have the accolades and gate receipts to prove it.
Which goes to show there’s still plenty out there who like good music and wouldn’t object to seeing a little class up on stage.
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To survive as a musician u need to know your market, ur abilities and your willingness to adapt to your surroundings. The great studio musicians can play anything well.
Being good musicians is only a small part of it. Engaging and entertaining the audience is most of the battle and will ultimately be what makes or breaks your band.
That being said, I voted: The Music. That's what I care about when I am watching a band, but that isn't what most people care about. It doesn't surprise me that a forum of musicians voted this way.......and that is the dilemma, do we stay true to what we believe or do we "sell out" to the audience. If you only want to do what you like, you may be better off being a bedroom bass player. A long time ago, I decided that I played enough in my bedroom and wanted to get out and be a performing musician.
That being said, I voted: The Music. That's what I care about when I am watching a band, but that isn't what most people care about. It doesn't surprise me that a forum of musicians voted this way.......and that is the dilemma, do we stay true to what we believe or do we "sell out" to the audience. If you only want to do what you like, you may be better off being a bedroom bass player. A long time ago, I decided that I played enough in my bedroom and wanted to get out and be a performing musician.
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I'm one of the minority who would go for the music or not go. Interacting with the audience and keeping their attention is essential and most good performers have that, while keeping the music the primary focus.
But I probably wouldn't go to see a band classified as a "party band". Sounds like the OP should have expected that kind of foolishness IMO. Hey, lots of people love it and it makes the bar money. So if it's not for you then go see somebody else.
But I probably wouldn't go to see a band classified as a "party band". Sounds like the OP should have expected that kind of foolishness IMO. Hey, lots of people love it and it makes the bar money. So if it's not for you then go see somebody else.
Hey, don't talk about my wife like that!Plus, no woman has ever thrown her bra at someone who does a boring, but perfectly-timed performance
Does she want me to mail it back to her?Hey, don't talk about my wife like that!
