I understand your problem completely, and it's a tough one. There's no simple answer, as it will differ from band to band and even member to member. The main thing you should be looking for in any of your ideas is a way to engage the audience. You have to grab their attention and provide an "experience." The music alone just won't cut it with your average audience. I think that projection and/or go-go dancers are a fine idea as long as it's a way to connect and engage the audience in a meaningful and memorable way.

That's my take on things. At the very least, it's a fun process trying to find your magic formula! Good luck!

• Jamie
  SSS Agent #181
  Cartoons drenched in reverb!
  The Mystery Men?
  El Capitan & The Reluctant Sadists

Presence does not require a vocalist. But vocalists usually are the ones supplying it, as they have more eyes and hands free, and usually fewer principles. Wild and crazy behavior helps, or setting something on fire, though there are potential problems with that. Patterned physical activity like dancing is good. Basically, everybody or at least somebody has to be willing to attract attention and make a spectacle of themselves. Smiling or grimacing and eye contact help a lot. It is not something everyone can do. Some people are so bad at it that they should not try it. Some people drop dead when they do it. It helps if the whole band does not have this problem. If they do, you need one or more dancers. Dancers are to vocalists as mimes are to actors. But not as annoying. If you have a mime it is traditional to disguise them as a tambourinist, maraca player or theremin player. In the absence of a vocalist, mime, or dancers the duty usually falls to the bassist, as the bassist's musical contribution is least likely to be missed.

Last edited: Apr 02, 2014 17:11:03

Hey,

Do you have any live video we can watch?

I find that engaging the audience is a big part of keeping their attention. Stage banter (relaxed and unforced) is important IMHO as I believe it breaks up the instrumental music without adding the dreaded vocalist. Dynamic playing is very important as well. You should be "projecting" to everyone in the audience whether they are up front or sitting at a table in the back. Play visually and musically for the audience, not inwardly focused for yourselves. Think of Bono, Steve Vai or Yngwie's stage presence. See how they seem to project their music outward to the audience.

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

Rev +1
FWIW: Some friends are in a band who's leader put together set lists. He insisted upon opening with some ballads he wrote - they weren't bad but had the effect of putting audience to sleep. They also had some great psychobilly covers (Cash, Marty Robbins), a little surf and spaghetti western in the mix. My suggestion was to open with the high-energy stuff, mix ballads in later in the set. Having some good hooks early in the set made a difference in that case. Some bands are successful starting slow and building intensity, but some of the best shows I've seen are when they come right out and kick you in the teeth. The band's energy often translates to audience energy. And I like go-go girls.

Ever thought of using a visual effect like a projector playing random clips from a laptop? You can get pretty intricate with it or just find stuff on Youtube that is already prepared. Lots of clips of flying through space, old sixties style liquid light shows, or even just clips of go-go dancers. You can get a used projector for pretty cheap and just set it up and hit play when you're ready to perform. Place it so it is projecting on a wall or above the band. It's a simple way to give the audience a visual show.

Kevin
The Out of Limits
www.facebook.com/theoutoflimitsband
https://theoutoflimits.bandcamp.com/

guitar wrote:

I've seen Jeff Beck play live a couple of times in the last few years and he only spoke briefly at the end of the show and said 'thankyou' and quickly introduced the band. He held everyones attention!

You know it! I've witnessed Mr Beck a few time myself and he is captivating. He plays the guitar like no other person on the planet I can think of and his stage presence is beyond cool. You just know you are watching one of the most brilliant musicians in the world perform. Every note he hits is special and important!

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

I think stage presence starts with the music first. You have to have the product first, (music), especially in an all instrumental band, then the theatrics can come later, but I could never imagine bands like "Slacktone" or "Surf Coasters" for example, needing any dancing girls or background videos to get their point across. The intensity, and or finesse, attitude, etc., of the band itself sets the standard, in my honest opinion.

Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent...........................

Last edited: Apr 02, 2014 21:25:25

peter256 wrote:

But Billy, why can't we have dancing girls?

Because our wives would never let us play Surf music again? Lol

Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent...........................

It can be simple:

Team Void w/ There Is a Time

People who captivate with just the music tend to (a) be really good, and (b) so good that they are actually interesting to look at while they play. They also tend to attract audiences who are willing to just look at people playing. These audiences tend not to congregate at the local.

Also, I maintain that the Ventures are not just standing there. Jeff Beck has perfected the art of being interesting while not chatting up an audience over, oh, I think it's about 60 years now. It is not reasonable to expect the same reactions people like this get to what they do even if you are pretty good.

And, of course, some people absolutely cannot stand it if you don't sing. Do not worry about these people. They are not your audience. Unless you want to sing, of course

Do people in France like hearing sound clips in English?

Also, make sure the sound clips don't break up the flow of songs.