Band-it (Tips Pt.3)

In the past couple of months I have been to two amazing gigs called Mull; Debauch to Kuala Lumpur (Actor’s Studio Lot 10) and  the Northern Music Festival (Botanic Gardens, Penang). Watching the bands in action I really admire their passion and their ability to write and play their own music.  Some are veterans of the art of performance but many are still diamonds in the rough (Masih banyak yang perlu di buat untuk mengasah bakat yang sedia ada).  What I saw inspired me to do the 3^rd. Series of Band Tips on twitter.  These are the points that were put forward with slightly more elaboration. This is just from my humble point of view.

The Padangs

1)  Control your stage volume

 Sometimes when bands play live they love to play loud.  The more excited they get the louder and faster they play.  But if you play too loud you will not be able to hear yourself on stage and nothing the engineer does can help u or your vocalist if you are playing louder than your monitors.  So learn to balance yourself on stage not have a loudness competition.  The answer is NOT to play louder.

Pesawat

2)  Step out from behind

As someone who takes official pictures and camera angles for TV I always have a problem with avoiding things that are in the way.  Please learn to move the microphone stand out of your way when you aren't singing or not using it (to the back but don’t block the drummer) and if you are a musician playing a solo step forward, it helps camera pick-up (an others NOT involved learn to step back or join in don't block).  If not all the pictures and videos will have u blocked by things!

Tres Empre

3)  Big intros and anti-climaxes

So many bands do this.  Come on stage launch into some big movie soundtrack opening only to stop TOTALLY to say the bands name and the title of the next song, then pick-up again... ANTICLIMAX!  Either get someone to introduce you properly before you play  (seriously) or play the intro (I know a lot of bands do this to balance themselves/check lines) and segue straight into the next song THEN only stop and talk… watch the internationals they play 2-3 songs before even saying a word.

7 Collar T-Shirt

4) Encouraging crowd reaction

A lot of bands are throwing things into the audience as a habit to encourage crowd reaction, which is fine, but PLEASE don't throw your album into the crowd… that’s your target market, they will buy if you do a good job of performance.  Most Malaysian bands are already selling CDs at ridiculously affordable prices.  If you must throw something - picks, drumsticks, towels, posters, t-shirts are fine.  If they don’t buy your album you better think about  a) doing  better songs or b) performing better!

 

Rosevelt

5)  Special Effects not Defects

What ever you decide to do whether it’s spinning your guitar round your neck, playing guitar with teeth, behind your back, juggle drumsticks, hand confetti, it’s always planning to do something spectacular that the crowd will always remember.  BUT If you want to do something different in your set make sure it’s spectacular not a spectacle.  Practice the move and if you’re not confident don’t try it.

Kyoto Protocol

6)  Teamwork…AGAIN         

A band is a team.. you can't have good midfielders and no finishers.. so the musicians and the vocalist need to make sure they do their jobs equally well!   There are some bands where the music is very tight but have a mediocre vocalist or a fantastic vocalist but weak musician/s.  You are as strong as your weakest link… so whatever that link may be work on strengthening it!  No “tidak apa” attitude allowed.

An Honest Mistake

7) Colour me Concert

There is no right or wrong for concert attire but you don’t want to look lifeless/style-less.  Casual is fine but got to make sure you don’t look like you’re going to the pasar malam… fans look up to you, aspire to be you.  Try to wear a colour that complements your complexion… Do not wear solid white for the camera, it looks lifeless unless you’re on a big production stage and you’re wearing all white and singing like Lionel Ritchie…always where colours like blue, yellow, red or black.

Oh Chentaku

8)  Standing out

Sometimes when genres become a hit, currently/trendy or has a huge following it will spawn a number of bands with the same sound… before it was Rock n’ Roll to Glam Rock then Seattle Sound to now, metalcore.  The problem with this is that after a while all the bands begin to sound alike.. small technicalities do not make a difference to the general music fans' ear… melody, collaborations, different lead instruments, mixing genres do.  So you need to listen to others and learn to differentiate yourself… do something else that will make you standout.

Monoloque

9)  Naming the band

Names are important.. it’s branding for the artist whether solo or group.   A group has the difficult responsibility in finding a name that will project and promote the collective identity of the group and its music.  If you intend to aim for a international market then you need to think about a name that people can remember and pronounce if people can't even say your name properly you have a problem.

Tilu

10)  Arranging the set

When playing sets arranging your songs is the most important.  Don’t play the same set or songs over and over because you WILL have regulars in the crowd.  Try to plan something different every time you go out.  Think about rearranging hit songs, play acoustic versions or medley-ing songs. After working on individual songs then start practicing them as a set so that you can see the flow is and readjust as and when you think it pulls the mood down.

Again these are just humble observations.  I learn a lot from watching the bands, some of you do amazing things during your live performances - amazing arrangements,  crowd handling, gimmicks, singing ability, musicianship... there IS NOTHING like watching a band play live well... it's inspiring. 

P/S :  

Band-Aid (Pt 1) : http://jenntho.blogspot.com/2011/02/over-last-two-months-i-have-been.html

Band-Age (Pt.2) : http://jenntho.blogspot.com/2012/07/band-age-tips-pt2.html

Peace, Love and Respect.