any help would be greatly appreciated

[gabrielM]

me and my band got our 1st show coming in feb and we're really excited. thing is, its our 1st show and its a pretty big stage. we're going to be a venus called Revolution and we dont want to mess up or suck. lol.

any1 with experience performing have any advice on how to calm down and prepare? other then just practice lol. we have a 30 minute set on that show.

like what do you guys do before a show? another thing is, i'm the singer but i dont play anything. so any ideas or videos i can watch to get ideas of what a singer with no instrument to play can do? and im not as cool as adam so mic tricks are a no-no :(

thanks so much.

[dakotahwithanh]

Find some simple vocal warm ups that you can practice between now and Feb. That way you can at least sing well if not doing mic tricks.

[SD_John]

Something my band did before we played our biggest (and last) show is we practiced before the show as a band. I think that helped us. We also drove all together as a band, and hung out before we played. It calmed us down, I'd say. Its just that big thing of everyones starying at you and if you mess up they'll know. I'd just say stay focused on what you're trying to do, and have fun.

[theguy77]

just feel your words man. if you're trying too hard to look a certain way to the audience then it's not going to feel natural and you'll probably look awkward up there. just think about the words you wrote and sing them however you feel them, no matter what position it puts your body in. the only way to be engaging is to be engaged.

[Alex_Burton]

just feel your words man. if you're trying too hard to look a certain way to the audience then it's not going to feel natural and you'll probably look awkward up there. just think about the words you wrote and sing them however you feel them, no matter what position it puts your body in. the only way to be engaging is to be engaged.

This.

Just be yourself. An audience can spot a phony. If you're not a mic swinging high energy dude, then don't pretend to be one. There are plenty of bands that don't go crazy live, but they're awesome to watch because they sound amazing, are super tight, and really believe in what they're doing.

Also, have a drink.

[gabrielM]

thanks a lot guys. all that helped me. that's wat i was planning to do and thats wat i do during our band practice, i just feel the words and let loose. ill probly do the same on the stage wen we get there. difference is im used to letting go and feeling my words in a room with my band mates and 1 or 2 friends, not stage and venue full of ppl lol. but thanks so much. im definitely going to work at it and just be me.

[FromTheBalcony]

Something alot of people dont think about is what to say in between sets. I can spot an amateur band quickly by the way the singer acts in between songs. No pressure or anything, but try not to crack any jokes that could potentially bomb because that just makes it awkward for everybody. I've made that mistake before and it just makes you feel dumb. It's important to always look like you're having fun because being excited about what you're doing makes everyone whose watching you excited too. Some tips would be to just be yourself and feel the music ,definitely do not just stand still though because thats boring to watch, but at the same time dont be too wild, if that makes any sense. Also you dont wanna force advertisements down peoples throats, but you definitely want to make it known that you have merch (if you do) and to give out a place for people to come check out your songs. Its best to do it at the end of the set so people remember it, but it doesnt hurt to mention it in the middle too.

I hope that helped, thats just some stuff ive picked up.

[gabrielM]

thanks a lot. i really appreciate it.

[flks511]

I always thought this was helpful to get an idea of what makes a good live show: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_guide_to/stage_presence.html

[FTeric]

Something alot of people dont think about is what to say in between sets. I can spot an amateur band quickly by the way the singer acts in between songs. No pressure or anything, but try not to crack any jokes that could potentially bomb because that just makes it awkward for everybody. I've made that mistake before and it just makes you feel dumb. It's important to always look like you're having fun because being excited about what you're doing makes everyone whose watching you excited too. Some tips would be to just be yourself and feel the music ,definitely do not just stand still though because thats boring to watch, but at the same time dont be too wild, if that makes any sense. Also you dont wanna force advertisements down peoples throats, but you definitely want to make it known that you have merch (if you do) and to give out a place for people to come check out your songs. Its best to do it at the end of the set so people remember it, but it doesnt hurt to mention it in the middle too.

I hope that helped, thats just some stuff ive picked up.

right on the money.

[kerropi]

Be yourself?

[gabrielM]

thanks so much again every1. i really appreciate it. and yea, im going to b myself but im just nervous and dont know how well "myself" will react to it. so that's why i was asking if any1 had any helpful advice. but u guys have been great. thanks so much.

[Sal]

If you or one of your band members mess up on a song, don't even bring it up after the song is done. Odds are the crowd didn't notice.

[AndrewIcex]

Have a few practice shows before hand... get a feel for how your stage show will be, and get feedback from friends.

[xxemo_kittyxx]

Practice as hard as you can and make sure that you can get the rehersals perfect the last 5-10 times or something. Even if you do fuck up in the real show, at least you'll know its not because you didn't practice enough. Be confident, give it all you got and look hot because girls love sexy lead singers ;)

[gabrielM]

thanks again. im glad u guys are so helpful on these forums. all the help is really appreciated. and im going to do all of the things u guys recommended. and ofcorse i'll look hot, that's a given ;)

[patrickhowell]

Run every rehearsal as if you're actually playing the show. Including when to tune, and what you'll say to the crowd. Every couple weeks, videotape your rehearsal and see where you can improve.

[gabrielM]

yea, video taping rhe rehearsals is a good idea. thanks.

[we are cured]

a lot of good advice in here...only other thing i'd say is to really own your parts. make them yours. make sure you feel entirely comfortable with everything you're doing, and in rehearsal work out any kinks you think may exist because as of right now you do have time. however i'd avoid making any changes as you get a little closer to the date.

after you're done, don't stress over screwed up parts or other things you feel you may have missed during the performance. go book another show and keep practicing.

[gabrielM]

thanks man.

[PawelPotapowicz]

Something alot of people dont think about is what to say in between sets. I can spot an amateur band quickly by the way the singer acts in between songs. No pressure or anything, but try not to crack any jokes that could potentially bomb because that just makes it awkward for everybody. I've made that mistake before and it just makes you feel dumb. It's important to always look like you're having fun because being excited about what you're doing makes everyone whose watching you excited too. Some tips would be to just be yourself and feel the music ,definitely do not just stand still though because thats boring to watch, but at the same time dont be too wild, if that makes any sense. Also you dont wanna force advertisements down peoples throats, but you definitely want to make it known that you have merch (if you do) and to give out a place for people to come check out your songs. Its best to do it at the end of the set so people remember it, but it doesnt hurt to mention it in the middle too.

I hope that helped, thats just some stuff ive picked up.


I don't think you should "look like you're having fun." You SHOULD be having fun, if you aren't why are you doing it? Just remember to always be you, everything else will fall into place. As time goes on and you play more shows, you'll realized what you should and shouldn't do. Don't stress and you'll have an awesome time.

A tip I would suggest though, is if you are going to be playing more shows, make sure to bring a camera and ask someone to record you. You will see what works for you and what doesn't. Have fun!!

[megajon]

me and my band got our 1st show coming in feb and we're really excited. thing is, its our 1st show and its a pretty big stage. we're going to be a venus called Revolution and we dont want to mess up or suck. lol.

any1 with experience performing have any advice on how to calm down and prepare? other then just practice lol. we have a 30 minute set on that show.

like what do you guys do before a show? another thing is, i'm the singer but i dont play anything. so any ideas or videos i can watch to get ideas of what a singer with no instrument to play can do? and im not as cool as adam so mic tricks are a no-no :(

thanks so much.

haha. See you there! My band is playing that show.

[FromTheBalcony]

I don't think you should "look like you're having fun." You SHOULD be having fun, if you aren't why are you doing it? Just remember to always be you, everything else will fall into place. As time goes on and you play more shows, you'll realized what you should and shouldn't do. Don't stress and you'll have an awesome time.

A tip I would suggest though, is if you are going to be playing more shows, make sure to bring a camera and ask someone to record you. You will see what works for you and what doesn't. Have fun!!

its easy to not look like you're having fun when you're a nervous wreck... which is why i suggested to always look like you're having fun even if you dont feel that way.

[rawkandrowl]

I've played a ton of shows now and the thing that helped me most was to make a big mistake in front of over 500 people. Once I did that and put that in my past, it was like, "I can laugh at my mistakes now, because nothing is ever going to be that bad again."

OK but for real advice that you can use, if you have truly practiced enough and feel confident with all your parts you are going to be fine. If there is a part you are freaking out about, worried you aren't gonna hit the note or whatever, then change it now before the show. Who cares one day you'll be confident enough to hit that amazing note, but if you are worried about it now just sing it different so you don't have the prospect of screwing it up hanging over your head.

[gabrielM]

yea. thanks a lot guys. super helpful.

[ColdNovember]

Must say there is a lot of great advice to warming up for a big show. Last show I played I tuned my bass, mingled backstage, threw-up, instantly felt wonderful, played a great show. Your confidence in important (as mentioned lots), if doing a set of things before hand and being prepared is your confidence, do it. Be yourself and don't let any element come against you that defies musical awesomeness. You obviously have a passion for music. Hold on to what that means to you. Let the music you are singing be what calms you. The more you sing, the better you feel.