In the second installment of our new Music Rountable feature, we ventured to encapsulate the elusive art of a live show. After you see what our panel of D.C. musicians and music professionals have to say, let us know — why do you go to see live music? What do you look for? Or, offer your thoughts on the question as posed to our panel.
How important should the performance aspect of a show be? What’s the best way to get a crowd into your show?
Bryan Baxter and Barbara Western, koshari
For us, the actual music is the most important element. That being said, creating a mood to express your music is helpful. We strive to create atmosphere by using raw intensity and few breaks. This seems to draw people into a set. I think if you are sincere you will get response from people who “get it.” Getting to them is the problem. In D.C., you can play too much — so people get tired of seeing you — or you can play too little — so people forget you. Taking time to actually meet the people that come to see you can help. They will tell their friends, and so on and so on.
Bill Spieler, DC9
I believe most people go to a live show to see a “performance” not just to hear music. The more energetic, goofy, inventive a show is, the more likely that show will stick in someone’s head and they will see that band again next time they play.
I can’t stress to any band about promotion. In D.C. (I’ve been around the D.C. music scene for 23 years) no venue has a built in crowd. I get bands all the time asking “On day X, what the average crowd at DC9?” Some weeks Wednesday could be a better day than Saturday. It all boils down to how well a band promoted themselves. I think getting friends is the easiest way to build a crowd. Bugging your friends doesn’t cost much (e-mail, phone). Ask them to bring a friend.
Put your name in people’s faces. Flyering is a lot of work, but there are people that actually do look at the piece of paper. And while we are on the subject of making flyers, please get that type of promotional material to the venue you are playing at three weeks before your gig. So many bands drop their flyers and poster at my club two to three days before their show and all that I can think is what a waste of money. Most people go out on the weekend. If you put out promotional material three days before a gig, the impact is so small, you are wasting your money.
Put flyers anywhere you think people go who might like your music (AKA the coffee shop, other venues, clothing stores, record shops, etc.). Once again, do this weeks before the gig. Do it every time there is a gig. There have been many times when I’ve seen a bands name so often, I feel compelled to go check them out.
I hope this is of help to someone.
Tony Acampora, Greenland (providing the tongue-in-cheek response)
The performance aspect of our show has to be amazing since we’re lip syncing and everyone knows we are. That really challenges us to get the crowd into watching a band that is actually doing nothing at all. I don’t want to give anything away to DCist readers but let’s just say that the way we get the crowd into our live show involves lots of crabs…
Riff Rokkwell, Lead Guitar, Assrockers
It’s the #1 part of the show. Anybody can listen to a CD at home. It’s seeing the performance that creates the experience. In order to attract good crowds it only benefits your band to take a serious approach to your stagecraft. This, other than your original music, is the thing that sets you apart from every other band. Whether that’s wearing ridiculous getups, makeup, hair styles, etc., or it’s physically challenging the laws of gravity and energy, or some combination of the two, your live show leaves a crowd with something to walk away from talking about.
Bison Roughbottom, Lead Vocals, Assrockers
Best way to get the crowd into your show? The same way I get chicks into my pants — shaking my ass like a professional and doing it faster, harder, and louder than anybody else in town.
