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Sometimes bands have an attitude. One that says, “Hey world, we’re musicians and you WANT and HAVE to listen to us play.” Sadly, in the world today there is so much competition for people’s attention that the stand and play attitude just doesn’t fly anymore.
If you have a band or if you are any kind of person who entertains for a living, keep in mind the most important thing.
You are an Entertainer
People work 40-60 hours a week. Maybe they have kids too, laundry, bills, and taxes. These are things that demand people’s time. In their leisure they have so many choices too. Stadium Theaters, satellites, the Internet, and DVDs are competing with you. You might throw your hands up in despair. Why aren’t people paying attention to me?
They aren’t paying attention because you aren’t entertaining them. You aren’t breaking their routine. You aren’t giving them something to look forward to, or something to be a part of. If you have a band, you have a responsibility not only to get the people to the club, but to make sure once they are there they made the right decision to come see you.
How do you entertain? I assume for every band it’s different, like fingerprints, or genes. All I can tell is when you are on stage you own that stage. It belongs to you. All the people in the club or amphitheater belong to you. That venue is your little world and you are in charge. Your responsibility: to give them a good time, to make them part of something, to harness their passion and energy.
Scream, pound your chest, and interact with the audience. Make them an intregal part of your show. Without them there is nothing. A bored audience feels ignored, and starts to look around wondering where the entertainment is and then they bar hop.
Maybe you are embarrassed. Maybe you have your own personal demons you need to deal with to get to the next level. Climb the mountain and get over yourself. Once you realize that the stage is your throne, the venue is your castle, and the crowds are your loyal citizens they will give back. You will receive a payback in the form of their energy and watch as you create the ultimate interactive entertainment experience. The feeling of being a part of something. An intense feeling that TV and movies can’t begin to compete with.
So think about it, or you could just kick it in the garage.
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