7 Tips for performing live

One of the responsibilities you’ll probably have as a professional musician is performing live at events.

With piracy issues and record sales not being as high as in the past,  paid performances and events are most likely to be the best revenue stream for you as an artist.

Pulse Music presents a couple of tips for you to help you get ready for your performance

1. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse!

Ever wondered how Beyoncé can sing and dance at the same time? It’s practice. If you watch videos of the Queen Bey performing years back, you’ll see growth and how much control she has over her breath and her vocals.

2. Be professional

It can be rather upsetting when you are giving your all and your audience acts unresponsive or starts leaving. Don’t throw a tantrum, or walk off stage half way through your song rather commit to your art and connect to the few who are present. They’ll remember you for it.

3. Sound Check

Show up to sound check, ensure the sound is right and get familiar with the stage.

4. Get your outfit right

Consider where you are performing, whom you are performing for and what you are comfortable in when deciding what to wear.

5. Be creative – give the people a show

Spice things up. Find a way to make your performance entertaining. You could add back up dancers to your set or you could work on your stage design and add props like lights.

6. Interact with the audience

It’s always a joy to see singers like Waje perform. The ‘Onye’ crooner knows how to work a crowd and get them dancing and cheering. In between her performances she is known to have brief banter with her audiences.

If you’ve ever been to Afropolitan Vibes in Lagos, Ade Bantu is rather fond of bringing his fans on stage during his live set.

Interaction and improvs maybe difficult if you are a first timer, practice your banter with your team.

7. Study yourself

Get someone to record you during your performance. Watch the footage and see what you could have done better and also study the reaction of your audience to certain songs.

Good luck!